Within two years, the service had established a base of regular customers, and Daria began considering ways to scale up the business and reach new clients.
To turn this idea into reality, she took part in a business training programme in the spring aimed at strengthening the economic independence of women from military and veteran families in the Khmelnytskyi and Lviv regions. The programme was implemented under the project Women, Peace, Security: Acting Together by the Ukrainian Women’s Fund, with financial support from the British Government and the assistance of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and the Office of the Government Commissioner for Gender Policy.
The training opened up new opportunities, including the chance to apply for a grant programme. Daria took advantage of this opportunity and was ultimately awarded a grant. With funding from the Ukrainian Women’s Fund, she purchased additional equipment: a window-cleaning robot, a vacuum cleaner, a steam cleaner, a mini washer, brushes, various stain removers, auxiliary tools, and other cleaning supplies. She now rents out this equipment as part of her service.
The Happy Clean service continues to grow. Daria actively promotes her business on social media, and as a result of her advertising efforts, her client base has increased by 70%.
“Clients are very different. Once, some equipment was stolen, but overall, people are grateful. I often receive requests from displaced people who, like me, rent accommodation and want their homes to feel cosy. I believe everyone wants comfort and a sense of warmth, and through my services, I help create that,” Daria says.
In December, demand for cleaning equipment rentals increases significantly, as people traditionally clean and decorate their homes in preparation for the holidays.
In the new year, Daria plans to expand her services by adding furniture dry cleaning and hiring an employee. She believes that even during wartime, there are opportunities to start and grow a business, and instead of giving up, she continues to look for those opportunities and move forward.
