When Olivia Morales started cleaning houses, she didn’t see herself as a business owner—she simply saw an opportunity to earn some extra income. At the time, she was juggling multiple part-time jobs, and a friend invited her to help with cleaning work. When that friend had to move away, she left Olivia with the two homes she had been cleaning. That was three years ago, and it marked the quiet beginning of what would become LiiV Clean Services.
At first, cleaning was just steady work. But Olivia wanted more. Inspired by her experience as a health promoter and her growing curiosity about entrepreneurship, she decided to formalize her business.
She enrolled in Explora with Prospera to continue learning how to launch a cooperative. Olivia invited two other promotoras she knew to join her in the course, but in the end, she was the only one who signed up. Though her dream was to build something in community, she came to realize that her potential partners weren’t aligned in vision. After completing Explora, she moved on to the Business Plan course and ultimately made the brave decision to go solo and launch a traditional business instead.
“I thought we were on the same page, but in the end, our goals were different,” Olivia shared. “So I decided to walk this path on my own.”
Starting a business on your own is never easy, especially when you’re navigating unfamiliar systems. For Olivia, one of the biggest challenges was understanding how to get the permits and legal setup required to formalize her work. Through Prospera’s Acompaña program, she began attending workshops and one-on-one consultations that gave her clarity, structure, and direction.
“They don’t do the work for me,” she said, “but they tell me what I need to do to make it work.”
Each consultation became a small breakthrough. She registered her business, learned how to send invoices, and understood how to track payments. With the help of her consultant, she created a website and invested in Yelp advertising—steps that opened new doors. While not all clients are ongoing, referrals and online visibility have helped her reach more households and build her reputation.
As a solo business owner, Olivia is always looking for ways to streamline tasks and work smarter.
Prospera’s workshops, even those not directly related to cleaning, have helped her stretch her thinking. But in Olivia’s words, the most important part of the support she’s received has been her access to mentorship. Her mentor has encouraged her to trust her instincts and decisions—to believe that she already knows more than she thinks.
“She’s an expert in what I’m doing. Before, I didn’t feel prepared or confident about what I needed to move forward. Now, with her guidance, I understand more clearly what’s required in each moment.”
The journey of building LiiV Clean Services hasn’t been a straight line, but Olivia has turned every detour into a learning moment. She’s proof that even when a cooperative dream shifts course, the heart of collective power—learning, sharing, and community—can still be found in the way you build something of your own.
Learn more about Olivia and her business by visiting her website!