Today we’d like to introduce you to Maryia Rudnik
Hi Maryia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Our story is that of ordinary people who came to a new country two years ago with five kids, minimal English, and a huge dream. It was a bit like jumping into a pool only to realize we didn’t actually know how to swim. We couldn’t find work, and every day we had the same question running through our minds: “How are we going to feed all these little hungry mouths?”
I’m a petroleum engineer, and my husband is a carpenter and builder with many years of experience. Without knowing English, finding a steady job seemed impossible. So the idea of starting our own business came up — not because we were ambitious, but because we needed a way to pay for lunches and make life just a bit easier. We simply didn’t have any other choice.
At first, we were terrified. Honestly, we still get scared sometimes! Business is always a challenge, but we’re not giving up. My husband and I went to every job together, working side by side, building on our experience and learning new things every day. We were like kids in a huge store: new materials, unfamiliar brands, unusual methods, and of course, the mystery of pricing. And English added even more adventures. Sometimes, explaining things to clients felt like we were inventing a whole new sign language! But we kept going, step by step, figuring out the rules, learning, adapting, and building our path.
This summer, we hit rock bottom. After moving to a new state, we found ourselves with no money for food and no place to live. Early in our journey, homeless people broke into our car, taking everything — including all our documents. After that, nothing else seemed scary. We started looking for new clients and job opportunities as soon as we arrived in North Carolina. For a while, we slept in our car. Eventually, we saved up enough to afford a hotel room, and a couple of months later, we were able to rent a house.
Our business, CleanyCore Home Maintenance, is gradually taking shape. Our goal now is to make home maintenance accessible and easy to understand so that any homeowner can trust us with their needs. Thanks to our education and years of experience, we bring reliability and quality to our work — qualities we were used to back home.
Of course, our journey hasn’t been without its share of funny moments. There were times when we had to improvise and joke just to get through new challenges. But we believe that one day, CleanyCore will be a name associated with reliability and a friendly approach in every home. And as for English? We’re still learning it, now with a bit of humor — because it seems like that’s a never-ending project of its own.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest challenge we faced on this journey was money. When you’re starting from scratch, there’s simply none, and every decision has to be weighed carefully. We often found ourselves choosing between buying our kids ice cream or a tool we needed for work, between a new toy or filling up the car with gas to get to a client. These were tough choices.
One evening, we sat down as a family to have an honest conversation with our kids. We explained that, to live well in the future, we would all need to make sacrifices for a year or two because all of our resources were going into growing the business. This was a difficult decision—children grow up fast, and for them, “later” can be hard to understand. They need things now. My husband and I know it’s important not to just defer our lives, living only for the future, but to find joy in every day.
We’re learning to find happiness in simple things—trying new recipes as a family, baking sweets, and looking for free activities on weekends. This journey has become more than just a business project; it’s a family adventure, with each of us finding our role.
When both parents are building a business, personal life and work easily blend together. To keep the kids engaged, we involve them in various processes: we brainstorm logos together, discuss T-shirt designs, and come up with marketing ideas. We try to make it fun so they feel like part of our shared endeavor. This experience is teaching us all that the road to a dream isn’t just hard work, but also countless little, joyful moments that bring us closer together and make us stronger as a family.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
CleanyCore is a modern Home Maintenance Service, similar to a housing maintenance organization, for private homeowners and renters. A Home Maintenance Service is an organization dedicated to keeping buildings in order, handling cleaning, repairs, and technical maintenance. We’ve adapted this model specifically for private homes, creating an accessible and convenient solution for our clients.
Our Home Maintenance Service offers a full range of services for keeping homes clean and well-maintained. This includes regular maintenance, small repairs, and fast solutions to household issues, as well as a personalized approach for each client. When a new member joins our Home Maintenance Service, we conduct an initial home walkthrough, inspect the property, and identify any important areas that need attention. This allows us to understand the needs of each home and create a work plan tailored to the client’s specific requirements.
Why do we believe this approach is effective? First, it gives clients peace of mind, knowing that their home is looked after by professionals who proactively address potential issues. Second, with each new client, we’re able to make our services even more affordable. Regular orders and long-term relationships allow us to optimize costs, purchase materials at wholesale prices, and efficiently plan our work, which reduces service costs.
CleanyCore is not just a cleaning and repair company; it’s a reliable partner that helps create comfort and coziness in every home. We aim to make it so homeowners can enjoy their home without worrying about household concerns, always knowing that their home is under trustworthy care.
What makes you happy?
Many things make me happy, but most of all, it’s seeing my family grow and develop. When I look at my children, see their achievements, hear their laughter, and watch their curiosity for new things, I understand what all our efforts are for. Together, we started a new life from scratch, and every small step forward—whether in our business or a family achievement—brings joy and satisfaction.
I feel happy when I see our hard work paying off and CleanyCore helping people feel more comfortable in their homes. Every review, every client’s smile reminds me that we’re doing something important.
I also find joy in simple things—family evenings, time spent with the kids, cooking together. Even in everyday moments, when we’re just enjoying time together, I find inspiration and motivation to keep going, growing, and striving for more.
Pricing:
- Initial inspection and repair checklist — a free service for potential clients. We conduct a home inspection, create a checklist of necessary repairs, and provide a cost estimate.
- Service plans — start at $35 per month to make regular home maintenance accessible to everyone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cleanycore.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleanycore/profilecard/?igsh=MWlqbm02Nm91dWVzdw==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/B9LzRg6xBitaSFuq/?mibextid=kFxxJD
