Today we’d like to introduce you to Fatima Puente.
Hi Fatima, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I arrived in the United States in 2005. Those were very difficult times—extremely difficult. There were moments when I had to choose between putting gas in my car or buying food. It was truly a struggle.
At that time, I did not speak English. In fact, I knew almost nothing about the language. Because of that, I faced a great deal of discrimination. I even worked for people who never paid me for my work. I experienced humiliation and many forms of abuse. However, I believe that every experience, even the painful ones, helps us grow and become stronger.
I can also say that I have been blessed to meet wonderful people along the way. One of them was my former boss, who became one of my closest friends. She gave me my very first house-cleaning client, supported me, and taught me many of the things I know today. Twenty years later, we are still friends.
I have also been fortunate to have other friends who have played an important role in my business. My friend Janet helped me choose the name of the company. We brainstormed several ideas together before finding the right one. Another friend, Carmen, helped create the company’s slogan.
My family has also been a tremendous source of support. My sister Claudia helps with our uniforms, bringing them from our home country. My sister Jessica has assisted with invoices, marketing, my first website, and my first business cards. My brother has always encouraged me, reminding me not to give up and assuring me that my time would come. Their support means more than words can express.
I also want to recognize my husband, Hugo. While I was working hard to build this business, knocking on doors and searching for opportunities, he was taking care of everything else—our son, our home, and our household responsibilities. While I was building a business, he was protecting and caring for what mattered most: our family.
Four years ago, we reached a point where the business could support us, and Hugo left his job to join me full-time. Since then, we have faced new challenges together. Learning to work together not only as husband and wife but also as business partners was not easy. The first year was especially difficult. Adjusting to systems and processes I had developed over many years was challenging for him, and learning to work under my direction required patience from both of us.
Over time, we found a better balance. The second year was easier, and by the third year, we truly began thinking and operating as entrepreneurial partners. The struggles over who was in charge gradually disappeared, and now, in our fourth year working together, we are focused on building the future we envision for our business.
Working together has been a blessing. I believe God never makes mistakes. He places challenges, obstacles, and opportunities in our path for a purpose. I give all the glory to God because without Him, I would not be where I am today.
I know I still have many steps to climb. In many ways, I feel like I am only at the beginning of the journey. There is still so much I want to accomplish. That is why I feel incredibly honored to have been selected for this interview. I know there are many successful businesses out there, yet someone chose to look at my story and our journey. I am deeply grateful for that opportunity, and I believe it is a blessing from God.
My story is still being written. I am still learning English. I am still learning how to improve my business. I am still overcoming obstacles. And through it all, I continue moving forward with God’s help.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it has not been an easy journey in the cleaning industry. There is a large amount of competition in this field—some companies are good, some are excellent. Every day, you face the challenge of competing and finding ways to stand out.
However, there is one thing we are absolutely committed to maintaining, no matter what: the quality of our business. Every client is important to us. We strive to provide the highest level of service, not only in the quality of the cleaning we perform but also in the way we treat people.
We care deeply about how our clients feel after receiving our service. Knowing that we have made a positive difference in their lives is something that impacts us and motivates us to keep moving forward.
Without a doubt, there have been many obstacles along the way. As I mentioned before, one of the biggest challenges has been the language barrier. There have been times when I knocked on doors that never opened. But I have also learned that sometimes God opens doors you never expected.
The journey has not been easy, but every challenge has taught me something valuable and helped me grow both personally and professionally.
We’ve been impressed with Fandhcleaningservices, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a cleaning company that provides residential and commercial cleaning services. However, our purpose goes far beyond cleaning spaces.
What we truly want people to understand is that our mission is to improve our clients’ quality of life. Over the years, we have witnessed how cleaning transforms not only homes and workplaces, but also the way people live, think, and feel.
A clean and organized space has a direct impact on well-being. It helps people think more clearly, become more productive, more organized, and more creative. For this reason, cleaning is not just a service to us—it is a lifestyle that can create meaningful positive change.
Our main commitment is the quality of our service and the overall client experience. Every person who trusts us is special, and we deeply value that trust.
We aim not only to meet expectations in terms of cleaning, but also to create a positive human experience where clients feel calm, cared for, and satisfied with the results.
In our commercial work, we apply the same level of dedication. We understand that many of the spaces we clean today will become future family homes or places where businesses will grow. We know that first impressions matter, and we pay attention to every detail.
At the end of the day, our goal is to leave more than a clean space. We want to leave a feeling of order, well-being, and inspiration—helping people see and experience their spaces in a more positive way.
That is the value that defines us as a company.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
We have been blessed to have a great team of friends and support around us. I truly feel very fortunate.
My friend Yanet helped me choose the name of my company. She took the time and dedication to sit with me and help me make that decision.
My friend Bere, who was once my boss, gave me my very first house cleaning jobs. She taught me things that I still use today.
My sister Yésica also supported me with marketing and building my website my sister Claudia has supported me with uniforms, even bringing them from my home country.
My brother Ariel has always been a great source of encouragement. Whenever I felt tired or discouraged, he would always tell me, “Keep going, don’t give up.”
I also want to mention one of my clients, Roselyn. She has been very special in my journey. She always supported me with translations for my website because, at the beginning, not speaking English was a big challenge. It limited me in many areas of my life. Having someone who helped me translate and correct my English has been a huge blessing.
We also had a mentor named Sergio Bento. He is part of a nonprofit organization. He generously gave me his time to teach me important business basics such as how to register my business, how to get my tax ID number, and how to build my website. All those details that are so important at the beginning were a great help.
And of course, my husband Hugo has been a very important part of this journey. He took care of our home and supported me in ways that allowed me to focus on building the business. Without him, many of the things we have achieved today would not have been possible.
Above all, I give all the glory and honor to God, because He is the one who places people in our lives, opens doors, and closes others. Without God, I would not be where I am today. I know I still have many goals ahead of me, but I am grateful for every step of the journey so far.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.Fandhcleaningservices.com
- Instagram: Fandhcleaningservices
- Facebook: F&H Cleaning Services
- Other: TikTok Fandhcleaningservices0
