This photo was taken before I started my very first cleaning job in one of my boyfriend’s rental studios.
At that time, I had:
One Pacvac backpack vacuum cleaner , the only cleaning equipment I actually owned.
A sweeping broom.
A mop.
A cleaning bucket that I had to borrow.
No business funding.
And almost no money left after investing my savings into that one vacuum cleaner. 
I was a full-time mum who had just left a full-time paid job to take a chance on myself and start a cleaning business.
I had nothing to fall back on.
So I told myself: I have to make this work.
Even if I failed, I would keep trying until I figured it out. There was no backing down now.
What helped me in those early days was community.
My cousins came and cleaned alongside me. I couldn’t afford to pay them much at the time, but they sacrificed their time because they believed in my dream.
My first clients were my friends. They gave me honest feedback, trusted me with their spaces, and paid for my services.
And then there were people who simply said:
“Yes Irene, give it a try. Go for it.”
Sometimes, those few words of encouragement are worth more than people realise.
From there, I started applying for grants and seeking support from organisations such as VCCI. I remember meeting Tahnia Cook from Pacific Training Solutions, who helped train us on how to properly cost our products and services.
That training gave me so much clarity and confidence. It helped me understand my numbers, set my rates, and start building Tidy Haus with a stronger foundation.
And this is only part of the story. There is so much more I want to share about the journey, the challenges, the lessons, the people who helped me, the opportunities, and how networking and support helped shape Tidy Haus into what it is today.
COME HEAR THE STORY
Wednesday, 30 September 2026
2:00 PM
Vanuatu Made Trade Show at Independence Park
I’ll be joining an amazing panel of other local business owners also
You just need to start somewhere. 
With love,
Irene