For many entrepreneurs, the journey to business ownership starts with a clear plan. For Lanette Hines, founder of Hines Cleaning, it started with something much simpler. She was trying to find work she actually enjoyed.
Today, Hines Cleaning is a growing business serving homes and businesses across the Twin Cities, but Lanette’s path to entrepreneurship was anything but traditional.
After graduating high school, Lanette began working at Taco John’s before transitioning into residential cleaning through a company where her mom worked. Cleaning wasn’t new to her. Both her mom and aunt had experience in the industry, but it quickly became clear that traditional jobs weren’t the right fit.
“I was really unhappy at every other job,” Lanette shared. “I was trying to figure out what I could do that would make money, make me happy, and give me flexibility.”
That desire for flexibility, combined with encouragement from those around her, sparked the idea to start building her own client base.
Lanette’s business did not launch overnight. It started with a single client she found through a local online post, followed by referrals from neighbors and connections in assisted living communities.
“It was kind of a trickle effect,” she said.
Her initial goal was simple. Replace her income. Once she reached $2,000 a month in revenue, she made the leap to running her business full time.
Rather than taking a high-risk approach, Lanette built her business gradually while maintaining other income streams. It is a strategy she now recommends to others starting out.
Even after officially forming her LLC in 2017, it took time for Hines Cleaning to fully evolve into a recognized brand.
For years, Lanette operated largely on her own, relying on referrals rather than marketing.
“I feel like I was doing cleaning for four to five years before we officially got a logo and really built out the brand,” she said.
Through networking and involvement with the Chamber, her business began gaining visibility, transforming from a solo service into a growing company with a strong local presence.
Today, Hines Cleaning has grown significantly, with a team of around 12 employees and expanding service offerings.
In just the past few months, the business has seen major growth, adding new staff, increasing monthly revenue, and securing commercial contracts.
Lanette credits much of this recent growth to strong partnerships and a willingness to evolve.
“We’re growing both residential and commercial, and looking to expand into new locations,” she said.
In a competitive industry, Lanette believes the difference comes down to one thing. Connection.
“I would say me,” she shared. “You’re always going to get me. I communicate, I show up, and I want feedback so we can always improve.”
Hines Cleaning prides itself on attention to detail, personalized service, and creating a stress-free experience for clients.
“Our goal is that clients don’t have to think about it. We just take care of it,” she said.
For Lanette, the motivation behind her business goes beyond financial success.
She built Hines Cleaning with the goal of creating flexibility for her future family and the ability to support her loved ones.
At the same time, her entrepreneurial drive continues to push her forward.
“I want to try new things, take risks, and see what I’m capable of,” she said.
Lanette’s biggest piece of advice is simple but powerful. Start.
“You just have to go out there and do it,” she said. “Start small if you need to, build it alongside something else, and
make sure it’s the right fit before going all in.”
As Hines Cleaning continues to grow, Lanette has big plans for the future, from expanding into new markets to exploring new business ventures.
Locally, she remains focused on serving the Eden Prairie community while continuing to build a business rooted in relationships, quality, and trust.
As we head into spring, Hines Cleaning is offering:
To learn more about Hines Cleaning or to book services, visit: https://www.hinescleaning.com/
