By Maddy Vitale
Claudia Tapia had all the experience of making sure people’s homes in the Jersey Shore communities were immaculate and spotless.
The mother of three loved the work, knowing that it brought happiness to her customers.
And for 15 years she was successful at housekeeping. So successful that Tapia, 45, of Ocean City, decided to stop working for other cleaning companies, and decided to start her own business Super Clean 4U.
But venturing out on her own to begin a new career, one that involved a lot more responsibility, wasn’t completely her idea.
Super Clean 4U staff say you could tell a big difference from the time they walk in to the time they are finished cleaning. (Courtesy Super Clean 4U)
Tapia's son, Chris Avila, 19, a 2018 Ocean City High School graduate, gave her a little nudge.
“One day when she came home from work, I said, ‘Mom, maybe you could make more money by working for yourself instead of someone else.’”
His first attempt didn’t seem to generate much of a response from Tapia, Avila said with a laugh alongside his mother, who was also chuckling.
“I think I asked her multiple times. I kept throwing it out there,” Avila continued.
That was through 2017 into 2018. By the winter of 2018, Tapia started thinking, maybe her son was on to something.
“She was kind of iffy but started to like the idea,” Avila said.
By April 2018 Tapia made the leap. She started out slowly, hired her two friends, Estela Hernandez and Florenia Bautista, and through word of mouth, people whose homes she used to do while working for other companies began calling her to come and clean their homes and rentals.
Super Clean 4U specializes in making a home spotless. (Photo courtesy Super Clean 4U)
Super Clean 4U cleans homes and rentals and offices in Ocean City, Somers Point and Sea Isle City. Tapia said she also has dedicated customers in Longport and Margate. They do weekly, bi-weekly and monthly cleaning.
“It is pretty cool,” said Avila, who manages his mother’s business. “It is really a dream come true for our family.”
For Tapia, she said having her son help with the business means so much to her.
Avila feels the same, “l like to help my mom as much as I can,” Avila said. “I talk to the clients a lot and set up the appointments.”
In addition to her son, Tapia’s two friends also work for her. Estela Hernandez and Florenia Bautista, both of Ocean City, said they like working for Tapia because, while it is hard work, they have fun and it is done with pride.
They average about three houses a day, but that varies depending on the amount of cleaning required and the size of the homes. Prices vary based on size of the home and the needs.
Super Clean 4U will come to homes or businesses to give free estimates.
“When a customer walks in the house and looks around they can really see the difference. It is just clean, organized,” Hernandez said with a wide smile.
Bautista said she enjoys working for Super Clean 4U because there is always something different to do or see.
And for the close-knit crew, their busy season is starting to take off.
“We are getting a lot more calls now than when we started the business last year at this time,” Tapia noted. “We are getting busy.”
There are many reasons why Tapia’s success is so important to her. Not only does it help support her three children, from Avila to a 13 and 8 year old, but it can help in the years to come.
“I am happy that there is something for the future of my family,” she said. “I really like cleaning houses because I like how happy it makes people. They know we do our best to make sure their homes look spotless.”
For more information visit www.superclean4u.com
or call 609-579-5411.
