Today we’d like to introduce you to Rukky Okrakene.
Hi Rukky, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Absolutely, I appreciate this opportunity to be interviewed by one of the best Magazines in Minnesota. My name is “Rukky Okrakene”, the Director of Operations TRUTOUCH Cleaning Services LLC, which I’ve built hand in hand with my amazing husband, “Tivere Okrakene”, who isn’t only my business partner but also the most adorable man in the world. Together we’re so blessed with our two precious boys “Otega Okrakene” and “Ogheneyoma Okrakene”, Ages 3 and 2. We embarked on this entrepreneurial journey, fueled by determination, passion, and a touch of divine serendipity, juggling our roles as parents, employees, and business owners.
My journey isn’t one of sheer coincidence but more of a desire to contribute to our community and grow an impactful business. Also, a bit of influence from my mother’s love for a neat environment. With a passion for photography and a technical prowess rooted in computer science, I’ve always been intrigued by graphical representation and systematic and logical explorations. My husband compliments my expertise with his extensive background in the medical field, touching lives as a registered nurse and running his assisted living facility here in the heart of Minnesota. Our combined experiences form a mosaic of skills, shaping our business ethos and approach.
The name of our enterprise, “TRUTOUCH,” is a creative amalgamation representing our identities; “TRU” intertwines the initials of our first names, while “touch” signifies the personal and professional imprint we leave, standing as a beacon of our unity and shared vision.
As the Director of Operations, I leveraged our local connections, forming partnerships with other professional cleaning businesses. This collaboration not only enhanced our service quality but also helped us serve our clients more efficiently.
Our journey, an ongoing saga, speaks volumes about steadfastness, resilience, and the metamorphic influence of faith. We’ve come to realize that each challenge, rejection, and obstacle isn’t a roadblock but rather a guiding light, ushering us along a clearer, more defined pathway toward realizing our vision of a brighter, cleaner future.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Reflecting on our journey, I would say it’s been anything but smooth. We started our cleaning business excitedly in 2019, not knowing what was ahead. Learning every part of the business was a daily experience, and just when we felt we were getting the hang of it, everything changed. The pandemic hit in 2020 with the pandemic, and it was the same year I gave birth to our lovely first son “Otega”. People were scared, and suddenly, offices, malls, churches, schools…everywhere was shut down. It was two things for us, a very low time for the business and a great time for us to reinvigorate, reset, and most importantly learn new cleaning skills.
Becoming parents added more to our plate. In, 2021 we had our adorable second son “Ogheneyoma”. We were always caught between taking care of our babies, going to our full-time jobs, taking examinations, and trying to keep the cleaning business alive. A few months later, when most places began to open up. I remember one rainy evening; I had a phone call with a new client requesting for residential cleaning services for her new home at Zimmerman. The whole team volunteered to accompany me, a gesture they weren’t obliged to make but chose to do out of sheer kindness. It was incredibly heartwarming. Big shout out to my Mother-in-law, who almost always assists us in holding our babies while we go clean. Our boys watched kid’s shows on their tablets sitting inside the strollers while myself and my husband cleaned the entire building. Cleaning my client’s house felt special, not just because of the money we hoped to make that night but because it made us feel fulfilled that we could help another family move into their sparkling clean new home without the stress of thinking of cleaning.
One of the major challenges facing owners in the cleaning business is managing customer expectations alongside consistent service quality. Many clients exhibit little patience with cleaning services, and any shortfall in delivery often prompts them to seek alternatives, jeopardizing your account with them. This understanding underscores our commitment to achieving exceptional performance and providing top-notch customer services. I quickly recognized the importance of maintaining client satisfaction during our cleaning operations. I owe significant insights to Ed Selkow, who generously provided a free copy of his book, “15 Deadliest Mistakes Cleaning Contractors Make and How to Avoid Them.” This resource became a crucial guide as I delved into various materials, enhancing my expertise in client management and service optimization. By collaborating with other local professional cleaners, we have expanded our client base, securing more reputable accounts.
The journey hasn’t been without its challenges, encountering numerous obstacles along the way. Yet, the rewards have been profoundly gratifying. Our role extends beyond merely cleaning spaces; we’re positively impacting lives. Drawing from our own experiences, we facilitate easier routines for our clients, adding value to their endeavors and freeing them to pursue greater productivity in other aspects of their lives.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
Thank you for the compliment! We at TRUTOUCH Cleaning Services LLC are dedicated to making every corner of our community sparkle, right from Albertville to over 25 cities in Minnesota. Let me walk you through what we do. We dive into the heart of contractors, realtors, churches, offices, rental apartments, commercial buildings and families moving in or out to ensure they or their clients step into spotless spaces. Our work doesn’t stop there; it extends far and wide into various sectors.
At TRUTOUCH Cleaning Services LLC, we redefine the concept of clean, extending our expertise across various sectors to create environments that inspire, nurture, and revitalize.
- Corporate Spaces: We transform offices into bastions of productivity, ensuring every corner, from workspaces to meeting rooms, is immaculate, fostering a climate of professional excellence.
- Retail Environments: Our team discreetly operates in retail settings, maintaining inviting, clean spaces that enhance consumers’ shopping experience, from individual stores to extensive malls.
- Healthcare Facilities: Recognizing the critical nature of cleanliness in healthcare, we dedicate ourselves to achieving sterile, safe environments, crucial for patient care and medical precision.
- Educational Institutions: We’re committed to providing clean, healthy atmospheres from spirited kindergartens to dynamic universities, facilitating focus and educational growth.
- Industrial Sites: Tackling the complexities of industrial cleanliness, we navigate through machinery and vast spaces, ensuring they remain orderly and conducive to operational efficiency.
- Hospitality Sector: In hotels and guesthouses, we work diligently behind the scenes to ensure visitors dwell in comfort, with every room reflecting the highest standard of cleanliness.
- Automobile Showrooms & Eateries: We bring out the best in showrooms and dining spaces, handling everything from gleaming exteriors to ensuring culinary hygiene, making them shine in readiness for customers.
- Fitness Centers & Transportation Hubs: Our services ensure clean, welcoming starting points for fitness enthusiasts and travelers alike, maintaining spaces that see constant, high-traffic use.
- Government & Financial Institutions: With a keen understanding of protocol and discretion, we uphold the cleanliness that reflects the dignity of civic establishments and the secure environment of financial entities.
- Cultural & Residential Spaces: From places of worship to sprawling residential complexes, our touch ensures these spaces are kept pristine, contributing to communal respect and satisfaction.
- Entertainment Venues & Construction Sites: Whether preparing for celebrations or clearing the grounds after intensive building work, we handle the tough cleaning so each location stands out for its purpose – a place of joy or a fresh start.
In essence, TRUTOUCH Cleaning Services LLC is not just a cleaning service. We’re a promise of health, safety, and well-being, contributing silently but significantly to the community’s heartbeat. With every task we undertake, we’re committed to creating spaces that resonate with cleanliness, order, and inspiration.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
In every aspect of our service, from residential cleanings to large-scale commercial spaces, we pursue the highest standard of cleanliness and customer satisfaction. We understand that the spaces we clean are more than just physical areas — they’re the environments where people live their lives. Whether it’s a home where families build their futures or a business where professionals strive for success, we treat each location with the utmost respect and dedication.
This unwavering attention to detail is why our customers trust us time and again with their spaces. They know that when TRUTOUCH Cleaning Services is on the job, no corner goes unchecked, no surface goes uncleaned, and no client’s need goes unmet. We listen closely to their preferences and concerns, tailoring our services to exceed expectations rather than just meet them.
But excellence doesn’t just happen; it’s a result of continuous effort. Our team is committed to ongoing learning and improvement, staying updated with the latest cleaning technologies and methods. We don’t just adapt to the current standards. We aim to set them, ensuring our services are not only effective but also eco-friendly and safe for all involved.
Moreover, this pursuit of excellence is coupled with a deep sense of community responsibility. We don’t view ourselves as just a business but as an integral part of the community. Our role goes beyond cleaning; we contribute to the health, well-being, and progress of our society. Whether we’re ensuring a sterile environment in a healthcare facility or making a newly built residence ready for happy memories, we’re laying the foundation for a brighter, cleaner future.
In essence, TRUTOUCH Cleaning Services’ success hinges on our unwavering commitment to excellence — a trait that defines every sweep, scrub, and service we undertake. It’s not just what we do; it’s who we are.
Contact Info:
- Phone Number: 763-501-8495
- Website: www.trutouchcleaning.
com - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/ trutouchcleaning/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/TRUTOUCHCleaning - Linkedin: https://www.
linkedin.com/company/trutouch- cleaning-services/? viewAsMember=true - Twitter: https://twitter.com/
TrutouchClean - Youtube: https://www.youtube.
com/@TrutouchCleaningServices- gm5gw - Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/
biz/trutouch-cleaning- services-albertville
Image Credits
TRUTOUCH Cleaning Services and Rukky & Team
