March 2025 Startup Grant Awarded to The Clean Machine

We’re excited to announce the March $10,000 Start-up Grant recipient. Congratulations to Alexzandra Clark, Founder of The Clean Machine.

Recently, WomensNet Advisory Board member Marcia Layton Turner sat down with Alex for an exclusive interview. You can listen to their conversation and view the transcript below.

Video Transcript

Marcia: We are speaking today with the WomensNet March 2025 startup grant winner Alexzandra Clark of The Clean Machine. I’m Marcia Layton Turner, one of several WomensNet advisory board members. Alex, thanks very much for taking the time to speak with me. 

Could you tell everyone a little bit about your company and where the idea came from to start it?

Alex: Sure. So, I am the founder of The Clean Machine. The idea came when I started noticing that there was a need for higher-quality work in my area. 

A lot of the cleaning companies that I had been seeing marketed at the time were looping people into a contract. And so people were missing out on that personable experience, and it was a constant struggle speaking to people about it. So, that’s where that came from, based out of Houston.

Marcia: As you were getting started, is there a resource or maybe two that you found especially helpful?

Alex: Definitely networking with other businesses and joining Facebook groups for other business owners. 

I also find that Canva and the Vectornator app for me, for marketing, it saved me money because I designed all of my marketing materials myself, my business cards, tip cards, door hangers — all my ads and stuff. And it’s all very themed. It’s got that bold comic book trash polka style to it, which is really important to me, but would be really expensive if I tried to outsource that. So, those graphic design resources are really helpful.

I use it every day.

And if you haven’t tried the Vectornator app, that one’s really helpful too. It’s like a step up. It’s like a little step up to be honest. It’s better for graphic design. There’s a subscription, I think. It’s like $40 a year, but really not bad.

Marcia: Are there marketing strategies that you found super helpful or is there one that you would say don’t waste your money on? 

Alex: For me, I would say social media is the biggest tool, but with mine being a cleaning company, my hands are always cleaning. And I feel like when it’s time for me to get ready to, like, you know, start posting on Facebook or whatever the case may be, I’m, one, exhausted, and two, nobody’s going to see it because I’m posting it late or scheduling it later and then I’ll forget. 

So for me, really, it’s getting out there, making sure that I have my brand recognition, like my car magnet, so people see me. Word of mouth is really, really helpful in my industry, specifically. As long as you’re doing a good job, you’re going to get clients.

Marcia: I don’t know if you’re on Nextdoor, but I know around here that’s a good resource.

Alex: Yes, actually, I’m on there. Thank you for reminding me.

Marcia: In Western New York, everyone’s always asking about good cleaning companies.

Alex: Yes, and you see a lot of cleaning companies charging an arm and a leg. Now I don’t undersell myself. I’ve done that for too long, but definitely, there’s a gap in the market for affordable cleaning.

Alex: It’s gotten to a point where whenever I’m going out or I meet anybody new, I’m plugging what I’m doing. I’m just saying it out loud, “Hey, do you have a card?” That’s the first thing I say, “Do you have a card? I know somebody. I know somebody who wants this.” So, yeah, just getting in front of them and talking to them.

Marcia: Before we wrap it up here, is there anything that the WomensNet community can do to support you? 

Alex: Honestly, just giving me shoutouts, following my social media — Instagram, Facebook, you know, just getting the word out that I’m in the Houston area. If you have any friends, think of me.

Marcia: Excellent. And are you THE CLEAN MACHINE on Instagram? Is that the account?

Alex: Yes, yes. THE CLEAN MACHINE, it’s @the.clean.machine.

Marcia: Well, amazing. Thank you for spending the time with me and sharing your story with the WomensNet community. And congratulations again on being our startup winner for March 2025.