Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Tsantir.
Hi Anna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
The story of Two Bettys began with a simple yet profound realization. My co-founder, Sam, and I were artists with day jobs, navigating less-than-ideal working conditions. We saw firsthand how laborers, especially artists, often felt unheard and undervalued. This sparked the idea for Two Bettys—a business built on the principles of believing in people and the planet.
The name “Two Bettys” itself has roots in a company in Memphis, and it became a symbol of our mission. We started by creating a space where independent artists could work with dignity, valuing their clients while being valued themselves. As the business grew, I faced the realities of running a company and made a conscious decision to avoid the rigidity and impersonality that often come with growth. Instead, we doubled down on our guiding principles: PEOPLE and PLANET.
Believing in people meant empowering our employees. We focused on training them to solve problems rather than follow rigid rules, giving them autonomy in their work, and creating platforms like employee committees to ensure their voices were heard. We also made hard choices, like parting ways with clients whose values didn’t align with ours. This approach fostered trust, loyalty, and a sense of community within our team and with our clients.
Our commitment to the planet was equally important. It started with a desire to use safe, green products for ourselves and our employees, which evolved into a broader mission to champion sustainable practices. We became experts in green cleaning, navigating the challenges of “greenwashing” and advocating for real, impactful change. This commitment not only shaped our brand but also inspired others to join us in making a difference.
Through it all, our beliefs in people and the planet have fueled our profit. By prioritizing values over shortcuts, we’ve built a loyal community of clients and employees, with little need for traditional marketing. Today, Two Bettys stands as a testament to the power of living your values in business.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely not. I often joke that I’m an entrepreneur because I’m unemployable—a sentiment I’ve heard other business owners relate to as well. While it’s a funny line, there’s truth in it. Entrepreneurs tend to thrive in crises, juggle countless responsibilities, and wear many hats. Growing through difficulties and “failing forward” is what I do—for better or worse. And honestly, it’s a job requirement for any entrepreneur.
Two Bettys is now in its 19th year, and the journey has been anything but smooth. We started with contractors and had to learn—through trial and error—how to support employees. And we’re still learning how to be the best employer we can possibly be. One of the most challenging moments in our history was during COVID-19, when we had to furlough and lay off 140 people. Every one of our core values was put to the test. It took us five years to fully recover, but we did it. Today, we’re stronger, more diverse, and more efficient, with a 90% staff retention rate. That experience reinforced something I’ve always believed: it truly matters to your clients and employees if you care, and if you put your company values to the test—and pass.
One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned as a business owner is knowing when I’m not the right person for a task. Delegating and trusting someone with the specific skill set needed to do the job is essential. Self-awareness is a must, but it doesn’t come easy. It’s often accompanied by some brutal lessons and growth edges. But those moments of growth are what make the journey worthwhile.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I own a cleaning company that focuses on residential cleaning and some smaller commercial clients. We’re proud to be woman-owned, truly green, and deeply committed to putting people first—both our employees and our clients. For 19 years, we’ve operated as a Social Enterprise, following the principles of the B-Corp philosophy. In an industry often plagued by harassment, poor pay, and challenging working conditions, we’ve set ourselves apart as the gold standard.
What makes us different? For starters, our 90% retention rate for cleaners is almost unheard of in an industry where turnover can reach up to 200%. That’s because we prioritize our employees, offering them fair pay, benefits, and a supportive work environment. We believe that when you take care of your people, they take care of your clients—and that’s a win for everyone.
We’re also a truly green company. There’s no greenwashing here—just real, safe cleaning practices that protect both our clients and our cleaners. We’re passionate about educating others on how they too can clean green, reducing the toxic chemicals that end up in our waterways and environment. It’s not just about cleaning homes; it’s about making a positive impact on the planet.
Beyond our day-to-day work, we’re deeply invested in our community. We contribute to and donate to multiple local organizations, and one of the initiatives we’re most proud of is providing free cleaning services to women undergoing cancer treatments. It’s a small way we can make a big difference in people’s lives.
At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to our values—people, planet, and community. That’s what sets us apart, and it’s what makes me proud to lead this company every day.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Having lived in a few other states when I was younger, I can confidently say that the parks, green spaces, and bike trails make the Twin Cities an incredibly cool place to live. It’s easy to take those things for granted until you’ve lived somewhere else. The accessibility to nature and outdoor activities here is truly special and something I deeply appreciate.
Another thing I love is the business community I’m a part of. We’re located near Lake Street and Minnehaha Avenue, an area full of kind people, diverse restaurants, unique shops, and a strong sense of community. It’s a place where people stand up for each other, and that’s something I’m really proud to be a part of.
On the flip side, I’ve heard from others that Minneapolis can be a hard place to move to if you’re coming from somewhere else. That’s something I don’t like to hear, and it’s made me more mindful about welcoming new people into our community. I try to be intentional about inviting newcomers to connect and feel included because I believe everyone deserves to experience the warmth and kindness this city has to offer.
Pricing:
- Our pricing is competitive with other cleaning companies, even though we provide our cleaners with PTO, benefits, and access to a 401(k) plan
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.twobettysclean.com
- Instagram: twobettysgreenclean
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twobettys/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-tsantir/
