Category: NEWS

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NEWS NEWSLETTER ORGANIZATION TIPS

Clean and Simple Cleaning™’s Employee of the Year 2014

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Awarding Clean and Simple Cleaning™’s Employee of the Year is a favorite of mine. It is because I am proud and honored in my business to have an amazing group of employees. They, who are loyal, hard working and actually want the best for Clean and Simple Cleaning™ and our clients.

The Employee of the Year 2014 is Elvia Perez.  She has been working for Clean and Simple Cleaning™ since June 2011.  As unfair as it is, sometimes the best employees get the worst jobs. And that has been true for Elvia this year.  She is one of our top trainers and has trained steadily throughout the year.

Elvia is always willing to work early morning cleanings and manages to keep consistent high quality with long routes.

She not only gets her job done, but she also does it with a smile on her face. Not to mention, she is also well liked by her co-workers. Furthermore, she takes personal satisfaction and pride in pleasing our customers.  Congratulations, Elvia and thank you for your dedicated service. You truly deserve the title, Employee of the Year 2014.

At our year end company celebration, we also awarded our new hire of 2013; Mariana Arredondo who started with us in October.  In just a couple of months of employment, she has become a tremendous asset to our team with her positive attitude and high quality and detailed oriented cleaning skills.  Our December employee of the month award goes to April Allen. She, who after an almost her 10-year stay with the company has a great attitude and is constantly happy to offer a helping hand.

Good employees are what keeps any business running efficiently and on course. I realize that Clean and Simple Cleaning™ would not be the success it is today without my team. It is one of the many reasons why I always take time to appreciate my staff.  Clean and Simple Cleaning™ celebrates the wins of each month at our end of month celebrations. Additionally, we have regular team meetings and try to build up team work with several programs during the year.  As a result, we are even launching a get fit program this month.
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FAMILY In the Home NEWS

Snohomish County Holiday Events

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The holiday season is a magical time of the year. Moreover, there are so many fantastic opportunities to spend with your family celebrating the season.  Here is a snapshot of some Snohomish County holiday events that you and your family can participate.

Mukilteo-Historic Flight Foundation-Christmas Ships Fly Over
November 29 – December 23, 2013

Bring your friends and relatives to Historic Flight for a particular holiday adventure as we take off in our de Havilland Beaver to see the Seattle Christmas Ships from a bird’s eye view.The pre-flight briefing will feature hot chocolate and homemade cookies. $50 from each flight lands at the Forgotten Children’s Fund.

$600 per trip includes up to 4 passengers. For more information contact Visitor Services at 425-348-3200 or visitorservices@ historicflight.org

Mountlake Terrace-Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 6, 2013 6:30 PM – 12:00 AM

The Annual Mountlake Terrace Tree Lighting Ceremony features music, refreshments and a visit from Santa Claus. Volunteers serve cocoa and cookies while children Carol.

Free to the public
Located at Evergreen Play Field

Everett-Providence Festival of the Trees Community Open House
December 7, 2013 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Providence Festival of Trees opens its doors to the community to view the beautifully decorated holiday trees and wreaths. Sip on refreshments and enjoy cookies while watching local community groups perform. Children can create festive holiday crafts and meet Santa.

Free to the public
Comcast Arena, Edward D. Hansen Conference.

Mill Creek Parade and Tree Lighting
December 7, 2013, from 3:30 pm – 7:00 pm

A fun, festive parade will head south on Main Street at 3:30 pm with Santa as the grand finale. The parade will wind down to the Mill Creek City Hall where the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place.  After lighting up the tree, Santa and his elves will head back up Main Street to the Park Place building where kids can have their pictures taken and tell Santa their secret wishes.  Holiday performers and live music found throughout the Town Center until 7 pm. It includes Dickens Carolers, free horse-drawn carriage rides, a kiddie train, face painting, photo opportunities with the Grinch, and more!

Free to the public
Main Street and Mill Creek City Hall

Snohomish-Live Holiday Music
December 8, 2013 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Enjoy free holiday music. Local musicians, Carolers, brass bands, guitar & singer combos, more!

Free to the public.
At Community Tree 1st Street  & Avenue B

Edmonds – Christmas Ship™ Festival 
Tuesday, December 10

Christmas ship with the choir, Choir of the Sound, with parade boat following the Christmas Ship.

Also, for more information and pricing visit their website at www.argosycruises.com

Everett-Star Wars Christmas time Holiday Food Drive
December 14, 2013 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

BobaKhan Toy Store’s Annual Star Wars Christmastime Holiday Food Drive Event with the renown Vader’s 501st Garrison Titan Group. Who will hear in professional costumes dedicating their time for this volunteer community charity day. Also, this event will be benefiting the V.O.A. (Volunteers of America Food Bank Everett, WA chapter). See & have your picture taken with Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Stormtroopers, Imperial Officers & much more! The Everett Reign women’s football team & cheerleaders will be stopping by too.

Free with donation of a non-perishable food item
2916 Hewitt Avenue, Everett, WA 98201-3822

Everett – Our Christmas Gift to you A Christmas Carol
December 15, 2013 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Condensed Kid Friendly Adaption of A Christmas Carol  Sponsored by Community Health of Snohomish County & Reunion Theater Group  

Admission: Pay what you can
Music Hall Theater in Everett Mall (Down the hallway from Macy’s)

Snohomish-Winter Solstice Candlelight Walk
December 21, 2013 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Stroll with friends, come a-caroling, or simply contemplate the beauty of the evening along the Riverfront Trail.

Free to the public
The location of the trail is the North bank of Snohomish River from Lincoln Avenue to the Avenue D Bridge, in the City of Snohomish.

Bothell-FUN WITH FROSTY AT COUNTRY VILLAGE 
December 21 – December 22, 2013 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Children will LOVE to meet Frosty the Snowman and enjoy a magic show, craft project and participate in fun & games.  Pony and train rides (weather permitting) are open for a nominal fee.

Free to the public
Country Village is located just two miles north of Bothell or one mile south of Canyon Park, on the Bothell-Everett Highway, or take exit #26 off I-405 and go south one mile.

Leave a comment with your favorite community events in the comment section below.  We’d love to see our list of community holiday events grow.

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BREAST CANCER AWARENESS FAMILY NEWS

Breast Cancer Survivor

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Janet Swett, Clean and Simple Cleaning™’s office manager, is a breast cancer survivor.  As much as she does not like people describing her as ‘the one who had cancer,’ she is a strong advocator and believer in helping others beat this ugly disease.

Janet’s story is an inspiration. It is another reason why we at Clean and Simple Cleaning™ are so passionate about offering support to cancer patients. We also advocate the fight against this nasty disease.

Janet found out about her diagnosis at age 52. One year after she lost her Dad to lung cancer.  She freaked out after the diagnosis. However, quickly got serious and ready to fight.  Watching her Dad battle silently with cancer taught her to face the disease head on courageously, openly.  She did not want the cancer to claim her life or define it.  Being open about her diagnosis made it easier to handle. Moreover, it allowed others to lend her the support she needed.

Janet has a very active and fun-loving spirit which she determines to keep through her struggle.  No matter what she was feeling or when she lost her hair, she believed she was beautiful.  She got out of bed, put makeup on and kept living.  The support of her family, her friends, the team of doctors and her company at the time was amazing which made staying active a lot easier.

She contributes that support and positivity along with preventative health to her beating the disease.  Back in high school she had a benign lump and had been told to do self-breast exams every month.  She took the advice to heart and had done monthly self-breast exams ever since.  It in and of itself saved Janet’s life.

“Life is filled with too many blessings and fun times to mess around with your health,” warned Janet.

Her treatment followed the proper process with surgery followed by chemo and radiation.  As a result, she was said to be in remission in July 2006 and has been officially cancer free for seven years.  She feels relief, but the fear never completely goes away.

As a Cancer Survivor has expanded her compassion for others. Battling the disease, she has an intimate understanding of what the fight entails and how it makes you feel.  “I look at the people whom I know who are or who have battled and ask ‘How are you doing?’ and let them tell me what they are comfortable with.  They understand what I am asking and feel respected.”

Janet is always the first one to jump on board with all of the ways Clean and Simple Cleaning™ supports cancer patients.  “It is such a gift to help get our clients who are battling cancer scheduled for their cleanings.  They are always so thankful to have their homes professionally cleaned for themselves and their families.”

Janet Swett is a Breast Cancer Survivor, but more importantly, she is a loving Mother, dedicated Wife, gracious Friend, hard working Co-Worker and a Beautiful woman.

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BREAST CANCER AWARENESS NEWS

Clean and Simple Cleaning™ Supporting Breast Cancer

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Clean and Simple Cleaning™ is proud to be making a difference in our community and supporting the fight against breast cancer.

We believe taking care of those who are battling cancer is an important part of the fight right along side with raising money to find a cure.  As a local small business, we are so thankful for our customers, so it has always been important for us to give back to our community.

Clean and Simple Cleaning™ is in full swing with accepting nominations for our Deanie Douglas Housecleaning Award which gives the gift of 1 full year of housecleaning to a particular recipient who is battling cancer.  It is our 3rd year for this award, and it has truly been a blessing to hear such touching stories and be able to help particular families while they are facing the hardships of cancer.

Clean and Simple Cleaning™ also gives benevolence cleanings through Cleaning for a Reason.  We are a charter supporter of this amazing organization who helps pair up people battling cancer with cleaning companies in their area which provide free house cleanings.  Cleaning for a Reason has grown from its conception in 2006 to now servicing all of the United States and parts of Canada.

 Clean and Simple Cleaning™ services 3-4 Cleaning for a Reason clients per month.  Being able to help someone when they face battling cancer is a gift that we are pleased, honored and blessed to give.

This year was our first year to be a gold level sponsor at the Inspiring Hope run in Mukilteo over Mother’s Day weekend.  One hundred percent of the profits of the Inspiring Hope Run benefit Susan G Komen for the Cure by supporting 3 Day for the Cure team Kindred Spirits.

Kindred Spirits, made up of a local group of dedicated men and women, are the ones who want to make a personal difference in the fight to end breast cancer.  Our pink car, of course, made a big impact. We had a blast cheering all of the runners on and handing out water.

We are a professional house cleaning company that not only will take care of your home with our detailed and guaranteed services but will do it with heart.  Together we will care for those who are battling and fight against this ugly disease until there is a cure.  Supporting breast cancer patients is the right thing to do.

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BREAST CANCER AWARENESS FAMILY NEWS

Supporting the Fight Against Breast Cancer

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Group of women with silk ribbons on sofa against brick wall, space for text. Breast cancer awareness concept

This past weekend was the Seattle 3 Day Susan G Komen Walk to raise money for breast cancer.  Clean and Simple Cleaning™ loves the sea of pink (not only because we could easily camouflage in with them) because of the hardcore dedication it represents to fight against this horrible disease.

Clean and Simple Cleaning™ has been supporting breast cancer since the company was started in through programs, donations and sponsorships.  We will be highlighting the different organizations we have and continue to work with throughout October.  I personally was reminded why it is so crucial to keep supporting breast cancer by a friend who just walked 60 miles when asked to complete the following task…

Write down 8 names of women who are important to you.  Coming up with 8 women who are important is pretty easy. So, go ahead and write a second list of 8 names of women who have been blessings in your life.

You should now be looking at 16 names of beautiful women who have enriched your life and helped form who you are today.

Circle 2 names on your paper of women whom you are ready to watch battle breast cancer.

My pen didn’t move.  A tear fell from my eye.  I didn’t want to imagine.  I was terrified.

Terrified because the truth is…

1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in our lifetime.

We believe in the importance of taking care of those who are battling and supporting prevention so others don’t have to face the battle.  Clean and Simple Cleaning™ is proud to help fight against cancer.

Check back with Clean and Simple Cleaning™ throughout the month of October. Find out more about how we support breast cancer including information about our 3rd annual Deanie Douglas Housecleaning Award.

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NEWS NEWSLETTER

Clean and Simple Cleaning™ Summer Newsletter

meet stacie owner owner presiden

Just over three years ago, I got myself talked into trying a “Try-a-Tri” triathlon in beautiful Lake Chelan. I had never even considered “swimming” as an activity I would do as part of my athletic adventures.  But, what the heck!

I signed up and learned how to swim!  The next summer, I did an Olympic distance triathlon, and then last fall did my first “half iron” distance triathlon.  I guess it can be an addiction of some sort.  At any rate when IRONMAN Canada announced moving its location to my favorite ski resort I thought….I must give this a shot!

Wow! IRONMAN in beautiful Whistler BC.  So, the “buzz” went full circle, and at least 20 of us from Mukilteo/Edmonds area all signed up the same day registration opened.  Thank you endurance sports NW for creating a real “club” like feeling where I got to meet other nut cases…LoL.

Training  for IRONMAN Canada has been exhausting, fun and a tremendous learning experience.  I think the biggest surprise and most challenging part for me has been the nutrition aspect of the sport.  Nutrition is huge for longer endurance and is very calculated for each. To get through a 15 hour + event, you need consistent nutrition but different types during different parts.  Every body is different, and I had to learn to listen to my body and figure out how different foods and supplements impact it.  Dehydration is not fun either….does not work well for me anyway!

I am excited to participate in the Ironman.  Races especially the huge ones like this one, is when you completely feel your fitness come together.  Plus, I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I was nervous too.  I am nervous about all the things that can go wrong….a lot of stuff could go wrong.

I have anxiety about the water, and the crowd in the swim during this sold out event!  Additionally, I also know that I have put in the training, am physically capable and mentally healthy.  Furthermore, I am prepared and worked hard to get to this point and am ready to participate in Ironman Canada on August 25th with my bib # 896.

This will be an especially significant event to celebrate my 50th birthday just five days later, and it has been wonderful bonding time with my younger sister as she is also participating in this event.

It will be her third Ironman!  I was telling our mother she would be about 4 hours ahead of me and she said: “why”?  REALLY????  She is done it for years, and she is younger was my response.  My goal? To FINISH!

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NEWS NEWSLETTER

The ‘Why’ of Clean and Simple Cleaning™

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I think that most people could spend less than 5 minutes on our website and figure out the who, what, when, where and how in regards to Clean and Simple Cleaning™, but could they answer the why?  I hope so, but it can be difficult to convey.

My favorite quote when my kids were in preschool was, ‘Good Moms have Sticky Floors, Piles of Laundry and Happy Kids!‘  It gave me grace when my floors didn’t shine, and I was too tired and exhausted to do anything about it.  I knew my primary job was taken care of and that my kids felt love.  Now that my kids are a little older and we are all sleeping through the night, I want it all!  I want time for my children and myself AND a clean house.

Kids grow up way to fast.  My advice to moms has always been, enjoy every stage your child is in. It is because it will just be a ‘remember when’ very soon.  I want to be at all of their ball games. Help them with school projects. Moreover, be with them,  just curling up with them on the couch. However, I also want a clean house.  Since I haven’t figured out how to clone myself (and seriously, don’t think I haven’t tried) and I value my sleep, I have maid service.

I don’t want to scrub toilets instead of going to the park.  I don’t want to feel guilty when my floors are dirty, and I leave to go to a taekwondo tournament.  If you put the cost of having a clean house, being able to enjoy my kids like I want, being a little less overwhelmed with life, the cost is minimal to the value it provides.

I feel lucky to work at Clean and Simple Cleaning™ because at all levels of the company from the owner, Stacie McMillan to the cleaning technicians and the office staff the ‘why’ we are in business is not only understood it is believed.

Clean and Simple Cleaning™ is here to give you back your time. It is so you can spend it doing the things you enjoy.  We do not look at the houses we clean as mere buildings. We, instead, see them as the people who live in them.  So however you want to spend your time, remember your time is valuable and our time is affordable.

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FAMILY NEWS NEWSLETTER

Clean and Simple Cleaning™ June 2013 Newsletter

washington burbs

Clean and Simple Cleaning™ June 2013 Newsletter

It was just an ordinary sunny Thursday when I left my house through the front door to go to work.  I did not set the alarm because the window washer was coming so I would be back shortly.  As I was leaving my basement, I had eye contact with a man and felt uncomfortable because he didn’t belong nor had I ever seen him before.  I kept driving to work.

Shortly, I got a call from my window washer requesting a reschedule.  I got a text that my daughter was being picked up from school and I decided I would just stay at the office and work as my son would be at football camp.

I returned home about 5 pm and as normal, entered the house through my garage.  As I made my way through my house, I dismissed a few thoughts. My kitchen was messier than I remember. I thought I locked the back slider, my gamin and heart rate monitor weren’t where they were supposed to be. Moreover, my bedroom was a real mess.  I know I own a house cleaning company, but we live busy lives, and just like everyone else, we can get scattered, after all, I have two teenage kids.

Suddenly I stopped dead in my tracks and stared into my master bathroom.  Someone removed my safe from my closet, and everything was missing!  My heart sank, and my hands started shaking.  I immediately called 911 and then went through the house with different eyes. It was shocking. They were good.  They knew exactly how to find stuff.  Jewelry, sporting good equipment and electronic gadgets….ALL GONE! Someone burglarized my house.

Why am I telling you this?  Because I have been in business for over 20 years and had a few phone calls from clients, who have had this same thing happen to them.  The police stated that there has been an influx of robberies in the area and that these were professionals.  You never think it can happen to you, but when it does, it feels incredibly personal and unsettling that the place you are to feel safest was attacked.

They are highly skilled at turning our lives upside down! Please remove your safe and your valuables from obvious places like your master bedroom, bathroom or home office. The police say most people keep their valuables in the same places as everyone else.

If you see someone walking in your neighborhood in the middle of the day that looks like they don’t belong they most likely don’t. Call the police or hang around until they leave.

The blessing was the window washer, my daughter and I was redirected, and my son was at football camp.  so no one came home in the middle of the break-in which could have made this horrible act much worse.

We have gathered several more tips on how to protect yourself from burglaries that we will be sharing on our blog over the next few weeks.  Check out the first one here.

–Stacie McMillan

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NEWS

Inspiring Hope Run/Walk Free Cleaning Giveaway

10k run

Inspiring Hope means to fill someone with the urge or ability to experience a feeling of expectation. And fill someone with the desire for a certain thing to happen.

The Inspiring Hope Run/Walk was established to bring people together. To inspire hope by encouraging and showing the whole community that together we can make a difference. And hopefully soon, we will find a cure for cancer.

Clean and Simple Cleaning™ is proud to be a gold level sponsor of Inspiring Hope Run/Walk and an active part of the community. We honor the ones who have inspired us and strive to inspire others by sharing our stories and encourage you to share yours with us too. By sharing who inspires you, you will enter in our drawing for a FREE CLEANING. See the details of the contest listed below.

“My Mom inspires me to be whom I want to be and to take control of my future.   Raised in what I would consider a harsh environment with little nurturing, She knew she did not have to be her past. Moreover, she was always a loving and caring Mom to my siblings and me.  My family’s favorite saying is ‘buck up,‘ and even today at 86 years old, she encourages me to do what I need to do even when I think life is too hard.”
Janet Swett, Office Manager (4 years)

“My kids inspire me. Everything I do is to keep them going forward so in the future they may be able to be better than me in all aspects but especially with good hearts and to be able to triumph in life.”
Emilia Morales, Cleaner (2 years)

“My family; my kids, my mom, and my grandkids inspire me because I live for them. They are the reason I try to maintain myself in good shape and healthy.”
Maria Diaz, Cleaner (6 years)

“ So many different people in my life inspired me, my children, my best friend, and my parents. This year, as I deal with the hardship of divorce, three women in my life inspired me. They who faced this struggle in their own lives with grace, strength, and courage. Their understanding and encouragement provide me with the ability to hope and strength to believe in myself as a mother and an independent woman.”

Jen Yormark, Marketing (3 months)

“My Dad inspired me. He died of cancer, and when we found out (about the diagnosis), there was nothing we could do about it. His name was Juan Carrillo.”
Trinidad Carrillo, Cleaner (1 year)

Inspiring Hope Run/Walk  FREE CLEANING GIVEAWAY

To be entered in the contest for 2 Hours of FREE CLEANING…

  • Your home must be in our service area.
  • You must leave us a comment of who inspires you and why on this blog post. (Make sure to include your email address.)
  • For an extra entry in the drawing for the Free Cleaning, please share this contest on your Facebook page and leave us another comment on this blog post telling us you did so. Moreover, also remember to like Clean and Simple Cleaning™ on facebook as well!
  • We will announce the drawing for the free 2 hours of cleaning on May 13, 2013. Additionally, we will contact the winner directly.  The free cleaning is valid until April 30, 2014.

About Inspiring Hope Run/Walk

Inspiring Hope Run/Walk consists of a 10k run, 5k run and 5k walk starting and finishing at Kamiak High School in Mukilteo. It is also the fourth consecutive year this race has been held. Moreover, 100% of profits benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization. For more details, please visit the official race website at www.inspiringhope.info. Alternatively, to make a generous donation, please visit .

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NEWS NEWSLETTER

Clean and Simple Cleaning™ News – Spring Happenings

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As Spring rolls in, Clean and Simple Cleaning™ is keeping busy and has exciting News to share. It’s a good thing it is staying light out longer so we can fit a lot into our days!

First of all, we are proud to announce our gold level sponsorship of the Inspiring Hope Run/Walk. Inspiring Hope Run/Walk is a race in Mukilteo in May that raises funds for the Susan G. Komen For The Cure. Clean and Simple Cleaning™ will have a table the morning of the race with a fun giveaway or two. We also plan on having several employees from our office running or walking. Our new Marketing Assistant, Jen, ran the Inspiring Hope 10k for the last 2 years and says its a great course to run. I am looking forward to running it and supporting such a great cause both personally and professionally.

Going along with our support of breast cancer research, we also received our newest Certification of Appreciation and Participation from Cleaning For A Reason. Our company is proud to be a charter member of this organization which provides house cleanings to women undergoing cancer treatment.

We are also looking forward to a company wide photo shoot with Urban Utopia Photography. We will be updating some photos for our website and other marketing materials. Having photos taken can be such a daunting task, but we plan on having fun. One of the greatest things about the crew and staff at Clean and Simple Cleaning™ is that we can have fun and smile while we work hard.

As mentioned before, our office staff has grown to include a marketing assistant. Jen started in February and we enjoy having her in the office. Janet, Ivon and Raquel are still busy making sure our customers are being taken care of.

Next month, I will be headed to Dallas, TX to attend Extreme Business Makeover convention. This Spring Leadership Conference is sponsored by ARCSI (Association of Residential Cleaning Services International) and Cleaning For A Reason. It is always educational and fun to network with other cleaning business owners from around the country.

As always, thank you for your support and for your business. It is a pleasure to serve you.

Stacie McMillan