My sister called me a “janitor,” and didn’t invite me to Christmas, Parents told me “I’m a burden!”

Building a Career and Financing a Dream

After high school, I started working part-time in the cleaning industry to support our household and save a bit for my own future educational needs. Initially, I felt a bit embarrassed about the job.

However, I quickly learned that cleaning involves meticulous, often unseen efforts and distinct skills. My first gig was at a small local clinic.

I would arrive early in the morning to polish the waiting room floors, wipe down the windows, and scrub the toilets. One day, the clinic director expressed his gratitude, saying:

“Thanks to you, Miss Stella, our patients can receive their treatments in a comfortable environment”.

His words significantly shifted my view of cleaning. Another memorable compliment came from a patient who remarked: “The place looks brand new after you clean it up, Stella”.

These affirmations of my hard work are something I still hold dear. After graduating, I secured a position with a large building maintenance company. I was drawn to the role because I believed in the underlying principle that cleaning supports people’s everyday lives.

During my time there, I learned various cleaning techniques and management skills. By my second year, I was managing the cleaning of a large commercial facility, overseeing a team of over 250 staff members.

The work was intense, starting before dawn and often extending late into the night. I occasionally covered multiple shifts, including late and early ones, and worked extensive overtime to fill in for absent staff.

These were incredibly busy days but they taught me invaluable lessons. Our team was diverse, from elderly workers with years of experience to part-time housewives balancing jobs and family life.

Listening to their stories, I started to envision running my own business. I heard elderly employees struggling physically and housewives juggling shifts and childcare responsibilities in the breakroom.

I wanted to create a better work environment for my colleagues, one that would support their lives as much as they supported others through their cleaning.

Encouraged by an older colleague who noticed my dedication and attention to detail, I began to educate myself on business management.

“Stella, you are really suited for this job,” he said.

I read articles for budding entrepreneurs during my breaks and attended management seminars on weekends. Gradually, the dream of starting my own business began to take shape.

Meanwhile, my brother Arthur, then in middle school, was ardently pursuing his dream of becoming a doctor. He consistently excelled academically. His desk was always piled high with textbooks and workbooks.

Despite our tight family finances, which made private tutoring unaffordable, Arthur remained undeterred. He would arrive at school before anyone else and stay late in the library to study.

On weekends, he was at the State library from opening to closing.

“Arthur, you’re working so hard every day, you’ll surely become a wonderful doctor,” our mother would say with a mix of pride and melancholy.

During his high school entrance exams, Arthur aimed for a school known for its high academic standards. His dedication during this critical period was as intense as my commitment to my career.

Both of us were driven by our ambitions and the desire to make a meaningful impact in our chosen fields. I was determined not to let Arthur abandon his dreams.

“Don’t worry, I’ll support you with everything I have,” I assured him.

I used my earnings to buy him reference books and secretly treated him to snacks when he looked exhausted. On the eve of his exam, I stayed up with him, soothing his anxieties.

“Stella, what if things don’t go well tomorrow?” he worried.

“Don’t stress, Arthur, you’ve prepared well,” I reassured him.

The relief and joy of seeing his examination number on the passed list are etched deeply in my memory. When he found out he passed, Arthur hugged me, tears in his eyes, saying:

“It’s all thanks to you, Stella, thank you so much”.

At 27, fueled by a desire to forge my path, I resigned from my job to start my own cleaning company. I had managed to save $470,000 from my part-time jobs and years of work.

Armed with a business plan, I approached various banks, but none took me seriously. “The cleaning industry has a low entry barrier and too much competition,” they said.

They also noted that starting a business as a woman is still seen as a risk. Despite these discouraging words, I persisted.

My first contract came through a recommendation from a former colleague. It was a basic cleaning job at an elementary school where her friend worked. The pay wasn’t great, but it marked the humble beginning of my business.

“Miss Stella, you clean so meticulously. We’re grateful to have you,” the vice principal commented.

His appreciation led to another job cleaning an office building managed by the PDA president. I worked tirelessly, managing the on-site tasks during the day and handling accounting and sales at night.

During a late-night cleaning of an office, an employee who was also working overtime approached me.

“Miss Stella, it must be tough working so late every day,” he noted.

“No, I’m happy to help,” I replied.

That brief interaction led him to recommend my services for his company’s office cleaning. Gradually, more job offers came in, and I was able to hire a few employees. My company started to thrive.

Then one day, a life-changing call came.

“Stella, I got into Medical School!” Arthur exclaimed over the phone.

His dream had come true. I rushed to the university during a work break. When we found his name among the accepted students, we hugged and rejoiced together.

However, our parents’ expressions were mixed.

“Medical School tuition is over $90,000 a year,” my mother said, her voice shaking. “We can’t afford that”.

“I’ll pay for it,” I declared impulsively.

Though my company was doing well, financing such a substantial amount yearly would be challenging.

“Stella, that’s too much for you,” my father said, worry clear in his expression.

“It’s okay. I want to support Arthur’s dream,” I insisted.

Arthur, overwhelmed with gratitude, burst into tears.

“Stella, I will definitely repay your kindness,” he promised.

Inspired by his words, I worked even harder. I went out daily to secure new contracts and strove to minimize labor costs by working onsite myself.

Seeing my relentless efforts, one of my employees said: “You’re pushing yourself too hard. Let us help with what we can”.

Taking his advice to heart, I began delegating more tasks. Gradually, the company continued to grow, as did the number of our employees.

In the midst of all this, my personal sacrifices increased significantly. I stopped spending on myself, skipping new clothes and even working through holidays. Seeing Arthur thrive in medical school somehow made all my sacrifices worthwhile.