CEO of Menakay Kleanerz, Christiania Imeh, stumbled into the cleaning business by accident. However, discovering a route to making money isn’t enough for the desired business breakthrough. She tells SONIA OKERE how she overcame challenges, built a loyal customer base, and scaled her business without breaking the bank
How it started
Christiania was raised in Uyo, being the only child of her dad. Tragedy struck when she was just 13 years old, and she lost her father, leaving her to face life’s challenges alone. After completing secondary school, she wanted to attend a university but couldn’t due to lack of financial support.
Looking back, Christiania shared her experience: “After I lost my dad, I was very heartbroken and lonely. Since I was vulnerable, I got into a relationship with a man and started living with him. Initially, it was a sweet relationship but at some point, it became toxic. I went through a lot in that relationship, however, when I couldn’t bear it anymore, I left.”
Surviving against all odds
After Christiania left her partner, she started looking for ways to fend for herself. Meanwhile, prior to that time, she attended a skills acquisition programme where she learned how to produce soap. So, she started making soap for sale. Later on, she registered for another skill acquisition programme and became a certified cosmetologist.
Reflecting on her journey, she said, “At first, I just sold the soaps as they were, but then, I thought, why not make them look more professional and aim for a different market? So, I rebranded my products, and started supplying to hotels, supermarkets, and offices.
While delivering those cleaning products, I noticed something. Many of my customers were too busy to clean their homes or offices. They started asking if I could do it for them—for a fee. At first, it was just a way to earn more money, but soon, I realised I could turn it into something as big as a cleaning agency.”
Menakay Kleanerz
Christiania started Menakay Kleanerz in 2019. The company offers a range of cleaning services, from post-construction deep cleaning to commercial cleaning, upholstery cleaning, and much more. With a commitment to keeping homes and spaces sparkling clean, Menakay Kleanerz has quickly built a reputation, serving clients in various industries.
Speaking on her entrepreneurial journey, she said, “I can still remember the early days when I was cleaning people’s houses for as low as two thousand naira. Those were the days of my little beginning. After I rebranded, I started receiving many orders. So, I began to hire staff members. Today, Menakay Kleanerz is a well structured and established brand making waves in Port Harcourt. I’m confident that in the near future, we’ll have branches in other states.”
Challenges of entrepreneurship
As a young woman in business, Christiania has faced challenges that many may not expect, especially when it comes to navigating the complexities of being an unmarried female entrepreneur. One of the most difficult struggles has been dealing with inappropriate advances from some clients.
She said, “Some clients requested that I sleep with them before they’d consider giving me a big cleaning project to handle. Such attitudes make me feel like I am not being seen for my skills or hard work, but just for my gender. It’s frustrating because all I’ve ever want is to work, earn and build a reputable brand on my own. I had to remind myself that my worth isn’t tied to anyone else’s terms. I’m here to offer my services, and that’s all that matters.”
When asked to share some of her business secrets, Christiania revealed that she has effectively leveraged the power of social media to build and grow Menakay Kleanerz. She uses these platforms not only to connect with customers but also to showcase the quality of her work.
Her journey to success, however, hasn’t been without its challenges. It took a lot of hard work and strategy, particularly in the beginning.
“I used to offer free cleaning services. Then, I would post pictures and videos of those volunteer jobs. And when people saw the sparkling results, they started contacting us for paid gigs.
Have I ever felt like giving up? Yes! Running a business is challenging sometimes. I have experienced loss, theft, disappointments and many more. However, God’s grace has kept me going. I can’t quit because I have no one to fall back to. Moreover, since there is a high level of unemployment in Nigeria, I am happy that my company offers job opportunities to people. ”
While concluding the interview, Christiania urged aspiring women entrepreneurs to start with the available resources and stay committed to the business. She also emphasized that temptations will come, but women should not bargain their self-worth in exchange for financial gain.
