November 14, 2025 • 21 mins
Need a cleaning service that treats your home like their own? Meet Roberto Abru, the Brazilian-born co-founder of RAB Cleaning Services, who turned a small residential side hustle into a trusted, 23-year, family-run operation serving New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. We dig into the human side of building a service business—what it takes to earn trust, keep the same trained people on recurring jobs, and grow by listening closely to what clients actually need.
Roberto walks us through the company’s evolution from routine house cleaning to a robust lineup: deep cleans before parties and moves, post‑construction cleanup, appliance detailing for ovens and refrigerators, and emergency response for leaks and floods. Then there’s the outside: window cleaning, power washing patios and pool areas, roof soft washing, and gutter work that pairs perfectly with spring cleaning and outdoor refreshes. The jump into commercial cleaning came naturally when loyal clients asked RAB to maintain their offices and clinics; with the right training and insurance, the team built a dependable presence in professional spaces where reliability and compliance matter.
We also explore the reality of running a small business after COVID: embracing a website, social media, and marketing to stay visible; tightening hiring with background checks to protect clients; and solving language gaps by sending a supervisor who can translate and set expectations during early visits. Through it all, Roberto’s immigrant story shines—gratitude, hard work, and a clear promise to care for every space with respect.
If you’re a homeowner craving consistent results or a business owner seeking a licensed, insured partner, this conversation offers practical insight and a path to stress-free maintenance. Subscribe for more local business stories, share this episode with a neighbor, and leave a review to help others find the show.
RAB Services LLC
Robert Abreu
New York · New Jersey · Stroudsburg, PA · Penn, PA
(973) 393-8050
rabcleaningservices.com
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_00 (00:00):
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place
where local businesses andneighbors come together.
Here's your host, Doug Drohan.
SPEAKER_01 (00:10):
Hey everyone, welcome to another episode of
the Good Neighbor Podcast.
I am your host, Doug Drone fromthe Bergen Neighbors Media
Group.
Today we are joined by RobertoAbru.
Roberto is a Brazilian native,uh, but now resides in Bergen
County and owns RAB cleaningservices.
Roberto, uh, welcome to theshow.
SPEAKER_02 (00:29):
Thank you.
Thank you, Doha.
So to host me, thank you somuch.
SPEAKER_01 (00:35):
Yeah, uh, I wish I could say a little bit more than
uh uh.
I guess I could say to the bain,right?
SPEAKER_02 (00:43):
Oh, you're doing great, you're doing great.
Uh you're doing better than me.
You're doing better than betterthan me.
SPEAKER_01 (00:50):
I think we talked about this.
I've been to Brazil twice, I'vebeen to Portugal two or three
times.
Um, yeah, that's great.
SPEAKER_02 (00:59):
In Brazil, you've been to Brazil as well.
Yeah, I've been I've been to SaoPaulo twice.
SPEAKER_01 (01:04):
My old my previous career took me there.
SPEAKER_02 (01:06):
So that's great.
That's made you a smart mantalking, yeah.
Different language.
SPEAKER_01 (01:13):
Yeah, so so tell me.
Um, so you're from what part ofBrazil are you from?
SPEAKER_02 (01:17):
Um, I'm from Goiás.
It's uh it's like I say, like byBrazilia, by um um I'll say
southwest in the country.
SPEAKER_01 (01:29):
It's like yeah, okay, and and when did you come
to uh to the states?
SPEAKER_02 (01:35):
Uh to the states I came first in January 2000.
Um okay.
I first came here.
I was blessed to come to this uhto this blessed country, and um
I my wife as well.
Uh she's Brazilian, and uh wemet here, but we met here, never
(01:57):
never met before.
And we made a family here, andI'm so blessed to be here for 25
years.
SPEAKER_01 (02:04):
Yeah.
So um, so when did RAB servicesstart?
When did you guys launch thatbusiness?
SPEAKER_02 (02:11):
Uh the business started right when I got here,
like um I start to work in thecleaning uh industry, but uh we
used to work for um bigcompanies.
Um, and then uh in 2002, um thebusiness, our business launched
because um my wife used to workum as a clean service, um
(02:34):
residential clean service, andum one day she came to me and um
asked, why don't we uh worktogether?
And um we can help more peopleand help ourselves and we can
work together.
And then I think a little bitbecause I was back on time, I
(02:54):
was like um a little bitconcerned about that because I
have uh you know a um a studyjob, like a good job, a good
paid job, and um um insuranceand everything, and then I was
afraid to uh leave everythingbehind.
And um I think for a you know uma couple days, and then I told
(03:18):
her, you know what, um let's dothis because uh we're gonna you
know we're gonna um add togetherand you know and do our
business.
And um, but and then we startfrom there, um, 2002.
We launched our our company.
SPEAKER_01 (03:35):
Okay.
So um obviously there's a lot ofcompetition when it comes to
cleaning services, but therecertainly is a need, right?
On your on your website, it saystired of cleaning.
And I think um, you know, one ofthe um, you know, one of the
benefits, I guess, for you forbeing in northern Bergen County
(03:57):
is that people are busy, theyhave a lot of uh dual income
families, you know, both husbandand wife are working.
Yes, the time to clean is uhless and less.
So they need help, but they alsohave the money to pay for it.
So um I guess that's why youknow the cleaning business has
(04:20):
become so populated with otherwith lots of companies.
So what do you what do you guysdo that's different um than
other cleaning services?
SPEAKER_02 (04:31):
Well, as um um we've been blessed to be in the air,
like you said, in the BergenCounty and North New Jersey.
And uh uh we've been blessed toto meet so many good people.
Um uh the thing is uh we arebased on operator company, uh
family base.
(04:52):
Um uh think about family base.
Uh we think like um ever eachhome that we go in to clean, we
think like our own home.
And uh me and my wife, we we tryto we strive to make sure that
uh we're gonna bring the samepersonal always on the serves
(05:12):
and make sure that we're gonnameet 100% of satisfaction on our
clients.
We um try to go beyond theexpectation on the SERFs, uh
making sure that we're gonna umum achieve.
And uh we focus on uh on likelong-time uh relationship, not
(05:36):
just one-time clean.
Even if they call me and ask fora one-time clean, I'm gonna go
over and gonna do that uh withpassion and make sure with the
team that um works like um ourown home.
SPEAKER_01 (05:53):
Right, right.
Okay.
And you have a whole um kind ofhost of different services.
It's you know, there's the theuh typical, I guess,
residential, but you guys dothings like emergency cleaning.
So if I had a leak in my a floodin my basement or um, you know,
the washing machine or thedishwasher, right?
If there's something like that,is that what emergency cleaning
(06:15):
is?
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (06:17):
Yes, yes.
We do all that.
Uh we start like a uh back on2002, we start like uh
residential basicallyresidential clean.
And then sometimes a customerused to request, like, uh, I'm
gonna have a part and you wouldlike uh some deep clean, or uh,
I'm gonna move out, I'm gonnaneed a deep clean, and then we
(06:38):
start to uh get more specializedon those types of service, and
um like uh as I have a passionon clean and and uh passion on
what I do because um on top ofthat I have a family to feed and
I have to make sure I have tomake sure that uh you know I'm
(06:58):
gonna do my best for my clients.
Um I start to get specializeddoing training, uh bring my team
uh doing training as well.
Um, and then some customersstart to request like uh things
like uh power washing on thetheir patio, on the on the
(07:18):
backyard, on around the pool,stuff like that, and then we
start to specialize on that.
So that's uh after um I'll say23 years, we get like this uh
range of service that we canoffer professionally.
SPEAKER_01 (07:37):
Okay.
So the um so the the springcleaning, um, I mean it's it's
you know it's not just umindoors, you also do you help
them outdoors as well, or is itmostly everything indoors?
SPEAKER_02 (07:52):
No, you do outdoor as well.
Uh we do like um indoors, likeuh spring clean, we do like um
um organization as well, like ifyou need uh your basement
organized or garage organized,we do as well.
And uh, but most of the springclean the our customer they
(08:13):
request like for the outside,like for around like uh for uh
on the backyards, on uh windowsclean, like outside windows
clean, yeah, or stuff like that.
Power washing around the house,uh roofing power washing,
daughter clean.
SPEAKER_01 (08:33):
Wow, is that is that where you see a like a growth in
your business?
SPEAKER_02 (08:37):
Yes, doing things like that.
So I've been um we've beenblessed with that because um we
first we had that mentality likeof um when you start some
business, we try to um to getspecialized in one thing.
And then uh me and my wife usedto talk and and say, okay,
(08:58):
you're gonna do our best onresidential clean service.
And then some customers uh startto ask some extra, like uh I
have a customer's um thatthey're professional, they are
uh doctors, they have a doctor'soffice, and then um they request
to clean their office.
And then um on the beginning, Iused to uh to think, uh, it's
(09:21):
gonna be no, I I do clean uh uhresidential clean service, I'm
not gonna go into commercial.
Um I I start to like uh resitatea little bit, and then I start
to after that, uh I start to getlike I I used to tell my clients
back in there, um, okay, I'mgonna uh do some research and
(09:43):
then I'm gonna do the clean foryou.
And then I start to to grow onthe business like that.
And then after that came allthose, you know, um uh requires
for um for the business, yeah,insurance, etc.
And then it's all came along.
SPEAKER_01 (10:02):
Wow, yeah.
So, you know, people think of umyou know residential cleaning,
they think about their typicalstuff, right?
Their rooms, the bathrooms,kitchens, and things like that,
but you guys go beyond that.
And um, yeah, I mean it's youknow, as a business, you've been
around for 20 almost 25 years,23 years.
So, you know, it's I guess it'snatural in the car course of a
(10:24):
business that's been around forso long, because most businesses
don't last five years, to seethere's other needs from your
clients, and it goes beyond justthe interior.
And even on the interior, youguys do things like oven
cleaning, refrigerator cleaning,um, you know, yeah, uh oven
cleaning.
Right.
If they're doing somerenovation, you do some
(10:46):
post-construction cleaning andthings like that.
That that's great.
Yeah, so um so what has been, Iguess, the uh I always like to
ask a lot of business ownerslike what has been the the joy
and maybe the challenges ofbeing a business owner,
regardless of the business thatyou're in.
What have been the greatest uhkind of uh triumphs, if you
(11:09):
will, of the things you'veenjoyed the most and some of the
biggest frustrations orchallenges?
SPEAKER_02 (11:14):
Well, um, yes, I have uh uh many things to point
as a uh that I enjoy because umI love what I do, and uh we we
enjoy a lot every single day.
For me, it's like um enjoymentfor to go out and um do my job.
(11:35):
But we have a lot of challenge,especially like after the COVID,
when COVID hit us.
That time was like um verychallenge for uh for the
business because still then Iused to uh my wife and I, we
used to like think uh not veryinto technology.
(11:56):
We used to think like uh, okay,you're gonna go out and do our
job, do our best, and that's it.
But and then I see uh the needfor um you know to expand a
little more because back on timewe have a uh like I said, we
have a family, and then um I seeuh it starts some struggling
(12:19):
with uh because was everythingstudy normal, okay, and then one
day to another, everything cameand boom, and hit us.
Yes, and then was like a kind ofchallenge, and then I start to
think I would say like out ofthe box, like think more like in
(12:40):
go technology, do some website,uh go into social media and uh
do some uh marketing,advertisement.
So that's kind of a challenge isstill because uh we you have um
like sometimes with um uhthere's a many companies in the
(13:01):
market, and you know, uh somebig companies they they uh focus
on make some money.
Um we love to take care of ourcustomers, and um sometimes um
for a small business like us, uhthere's some struggling doing
that.
(13:21):
But um we're so blessed to saywe have more like enjoyment than
struggling.
SPEAKER_01 (13:28):
Yeah, I know during COVID, A, there was the problem
of getting into people's homes,and then there was the issue of
staffing because a lot of peopledecided to not work intake.
I I know we had a cleaningservice, she was actually
Brazilian, and um she ended updropping us because she didn't
have any staff and she couldn'tdo it anymore.
She had to cut back on her onher clients, and I guess we
(13:49):
weren't um important enough tokeep us, but it was you know it
was a challenge because exactlywas a very solid time, yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (13:59):
And it's still because um it's like after that,
uh like uh we we try if you'regonna go into our home to clean,
I gonna make sure that I'm gonnabring uh you know personal that
I can trust.
So in order that when we we hiresomeone, we have to go
background check and everything,and um it's hard because some
(14:21):
people still like um it's shortage of um yeah of um helpers.
SPEAKER_01 (14:28):
Yeah, yeah.
So um to that point, one of thechallenges with an English-only
speaking household is I, youknow, I've had cleaning services
where everybody, the staff thatcomes to my house, nobody can
speak English, and I don't speakSpanish very well, or I don't
speak Portuguese very well.
(14:50):
So there's a there's a challengewhen you want to say something
to them.
What do you guys do in in thoseinstances?
Like, does anybody in your staffuh speak English when they go to
an English-speaking household?
Or um, like how do people uhcommunicate with your staff if
they're oh, I need you to, youknow, please clean my
refrigerator today, or you knowwhat, you know what I'm saying?
(15:10):
That that's been a challenge.
SPEAKER_02 (15:12):
Yes, I I understand that.
Um, yes, that's another uh uhchallenge that we have.
Uh most of the time I have uh ifI am not or me, myself, or my
wife, it's not with the team athome, at least when uh we start
the search, like at least uhfour or three times after for
(15:33):
recurrent um clients.
Um we uh have he dropped off,right?
SPEAKER_01 (15:44):
Well, right, we'll wait until he gets back.
There he is, back on.
There you go.
Okay, there you are.
SPEAKER_02 (15:51):
Yes.
Uh we have our um our supervisoron the on with the team, and our
supervisor most of the time theyum they understand and speak he
speaks English.
So um that's that's what helpmost, but most of the time we
try to be with the team becausethat's another challenge, and do
(16:14):
we have uh to make sure thatthey understand the whole team
understand what our the clientsneed.
SPEAKER_01 (16:22):
Right.
Okay.
So how do how do people um howdo they reach you?
Like what's the best way to tofind you?
SPEAKER_02 (16:30):
Um the most um easiest way is to by uh calling
us um our number 973 393 8050.
Or uh we are in the social medianow on uh Instagram.
Um our Instagram is RAB ServicesL L C.
(16:51):
Okay all together.
Or our website, uh it's a wwwrav cleaning service.com.
SPEAKER_01 (17:05):
Got it, got it.
Yeah, great.
So now you obviously you serviceNew Jersey, you service Bergen
County, but you also go outside,you're in uh Pennsylvania, New
York as well, is that correct?
SPEAKER_02 (17:15):
Yes, correct.
Yes.
Uh we've been um yeah, inPennsylvania and New York as
well.
Uh most of um the clients overum Pennsylvania, it's like
commercial clients.
It's um like I said, somecustomers from uh New Jersey,
they have offs over there, andthen we we serve them as well.
SPEAKER_01 (17:37):
Okay, or I went on your Instagram um you know page,
and you actually have ashout-out to the Good Neighbor
Podcast.
So thanks for that.
Yeah, that's great.
Yeah.
So uh this is great.
Uh Robert, I I really appreciateyou uh you sharing with us.
I think one of the you know, thethe guest I had on my show
(17:58):
earlier today, she was uh fromChina, and um I had three shows
on Tuesday, and one of my guestswas born in Brooklyn, but his
parents came over from Russia.
Oh, that's great Cold War in the80s.
So, you know, there's alwaysthat immigrant um, you know,
story that I I love to hear, youknow, whether you're a first
(18:19):
generation immigrant or you'rean immigrant yourself, and you
know, to to use a cliche, youknow, search for that American
dream.
But I think the you know, thestories that we we share on this
podcast are, you know, why andhow people have been able to do
what they do, and it and it cangive inspiration for other
people, whether they're born inthe US or not, but give them the
(18:41):
inspiration to do what you'vedone.
And I really appreciate yousharing that with us today.
Um, and you know, let's just goover one more time uh how people
would reach you.
The phone number is973-393-8050.
Yes, the website is rabcleaningservices.com.
(19:02):
It's the same if you look forthem on Instagram and social
media.
Uh, was there anything else thatyou you wanted to just weave
before um you know before we saygoodbye?
SPEAKER_02 (19:11):
Yes, on uh Instagram just RAB Services L L C.
SPEAKER_01 (19:17):
Oh, got it.
SPEAKER_02 (19:17):
Okay, yeah, yeah.
And then what's another thing isuh, yes, like you mentioned,
like uh many immigrants theycome to this country, and uh we
are blessed, like as animmigrant, I can say um we are
blessed to come here and bewelcome in this country and this
beautiful country.
And um it's the good thing is umif you are honest people, if you
(19:41):
are um hard-work people, you canachieve uh you know, you can
come over here and and make yourlife and grow your family.
And I'm so blessed to you knowto be here.
SPEAKER_01 (19:54):
Yeah, no, that's great.
And what I just wanted to goback to you do a lot of
residential services, but youalso do commercial.
So anybody listening owns abusiness and they need uh you
know a reliable and trustedcleaning service.
You you guys offer that as well.
SPEAKER_02 (20:10):
Yes, we offer that as well.
We are fully licensed andinsured and uh trust company.
SPEAKER_01 (20:18):
Yeah, that's great.
That's great.
So, Robert, uh obrigado, uh, youknow, for being on our show.
That's all I can say.
I don't know how to say it.
How would I say thank you forbeing on the show in Portuguese?
SPEAKER_02 (20:30):
Yes, obrigado for starting the show hoje comigo.
SPEAKER_01 (20:34):
Oh, comido, okay.
Well, thank you very much.
We uh you and I will be rightback.
We're just gonna have a um alittle uh, you know, uh Chuck is
my friend here.
He's gonna say goodbye, and thenyou and I will be right back.
SPEAKER_02 (20:46):
Yes, thank you so much.
SPEAKER_01 (20:47):
Thank you.
SPEAKER_00 (20:50):
Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor
Podcast.
To nominate your favorite localbusinesses to be featured on the
show, go to gnpbergen.com.
That's gnpbergen.com or call 201298 8325.
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place
where local businesses andneighbors come together.
Here's your host, Doug Drohan.
SPEAKER_01 (00:10):
Hey everyone, welcome to another episode of
the Good Neighbor Podcast.
I am your host, Doug Drone fromthe Bergen Neighbors Media
Group.
Today we are joined by RobertoAbru.
Roberto is a Brazilian native,uh, but now resides in Bergen
County and owns RAB cleaningservices.
Roberto, uh, welcome to theshow.
SPEAKER_02 (00:29):
Thank you.
Thank you, Doha.
So to host me, thank you somuch.
SPEAKER_01 (00:35):
Yeah, uh, I wish I could say a little bit more than
uh uh.
I guess I could say to the bain,right?
SPEAKER_02 (00:43):
Oh, you're doing great, you're doing great.
Uh you're doing better than me.
You're doing better than betterthan me.
SPEAKER_01 (00:50):
I think we talked about this.
I've been to Brazil twice, I'vebeen to Portugal two or three
times.
Um, yeah, that's great.
SPEAKER_02 (00:59):
In Brazil, you've been to Brazil as well.
Yeah, I've been I've been to SaoPaulo twice.
SPEAKER_01 (01:04):
My old my previous career took me there.
SPEAKER_02 (01:06):
So that's great.
That's made you a smart mantalking, yeah.
Different language.
SPEAKER_01 (01:13):
Yeah, so so tell me.
Um, so you're from what part ofBrazil are you from?
SPEAKER_02 (01:17):
Um, I'm from Goiás.
It's uh it's like I say, like byBrazilia, by um um I'll say
southwest in the country.
SPEAKER_01 (01:29):
It's like yeah, okay, and and when did you come
to uh to the states?
SPEAKER_02 (01:35):
Uh to the states I came first in January 2000.
Um okay.
I first came here.
I was blessed to come to this uhto this blessed country, and um
I my wife as well.
Uh she's Brazilian, and uh wemet here, but we met here, never
(01:57):
never met before.
And we made a family here, andI'm so blessed to be here for 25
years.
SPEAKER_01 (02:04):
Yeah.
So um, so when did RAB servicesstart?
When did you guys launch thatbusiness?
SPEAKER_02 (02:11):
Uh the business started right when I got here,
like um I start to work in thecleaning uh industry, but uh we
used to work for um bigcompanies.
Um, and then uh in 2002, um thebusiness, our business launched
because um my wife used to workum as a clean service, um
(02:34):
residential clean service, andum one day she came to me and um
asked, why don't we uh worktogether?
And um we can help more peopleand help ourselves and we can
work together.
And then I think a little bitbecause I was back on time, I
(02:54):
was like um a little bitconcerned about that because I
have uh you know a um a studyjob, like a good job, a good
paid job, and um um insuranceand everything, and then I was
afraid to uh leave everythingbehind.
And um I think for a you know uma couple days, and then I told
(03:18):
her, you know what, um let's dothis because uh we're gonna you
know we're gonna um add togetherand you know and do our
business.
And um, but and then we startfrom there, um, 2002.
We launched our our company.
SPEAKER_01 (03:35):
Okay.
So um obviously there's a lot ofcompetition when it comes to
cleaning services, but therecertainly is a need, right?
On your on your website, it saystired of cleaning.
And I think um, you know, one ofthe um, you know, one of the
benefits, I guess, for you forbeing in northern Bergen County
(03:57):
is that people are busy, theyhave a lot of uh dual income
families, you know, both husbandand wife are working.
Yes, the time to clean is uhless and less.
So they need help, but they alsohave the money to pay for it.
So um I guess that's why youknow the cleaning business has
(04:20):
become so populated with otherwith lots of companies.
So what do you what do you guysdo that's different um than
other cleaning services?
SPEAKER_02 (04:31):
Well, as um um we've been blessed to be in the air,
like you said, in the BergenCounty and North New Jersey.
And uh uh we've been blessed toto meet so many good people.
Um uh the thing is uh we arebased on operator company, uh
family base.
(04:52):
Um uh think about family base.
Uh we think like um ever eachhome that we go in to clean, we
think like our own home.
And uh me and my wife, we we tryto we strive to make sure that
uh we're gonna bring the samepersonal always on the serves
(05:12):
and make sure that we're gonnameet 100% of satisfaction on our
clients.
We um try to go beyond theexpectation on the SERFs, uh
making sure that we're gonna umum achieve.
And uh we focus on uh on likelong-time uh relationship, not
(05:36):
just one-time clean.
Even if they call me and ask fora one-time clean, I'm gonna go
over and gonna do that uh withpassion and make sure with the
team that um works like um ourown home.
SPEAKER_01 (05:53):
Right, right.
Okay.
And you have a whole um kind ofhost of different services.
It's you know, there's the theuh typical, I guess,
residential, but you guys dothings like emergency cleaning.
So if I had a leak in my a floodin my basement or um, you know,
the washing machine or thedishwasher, right?
If there's something like that,is that what emergency cleaning
(06:15):
is?
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (06:17):
Yes, yes.
We do all that.
Uh we start like a uh back on2002, we start like uh
residential basicallyresidential clean.
And then sometimes a customerused to request, like, uh, I'm
gonna have a part and you wouldlike uh some deep clean, or uh,
I'm gonna move out, I'm gonnaneed a deep clean, and then we
(06:38):
start to uh get more specializedon those types of service, and
um like uh as I have a passionon clean and and uh passion on
what I do because um on top ofthat I have a family to feed and
I have to make sure I have tomake sure that uh you know I'm
(06:58):
gonna do my best for my clients.
Um I start to get specializeddoing training, uh bring my team
uh doing training as well.
Um, and then some customersstart to request like uh things
like uh power washing on thetheir patio, on the on the
(07:18):
backyard, on around the pool,stuff like that, and then we
start to specialize on that.
So that's uh after um I'll say23 years, we get like this uh
range of service that we canoffer professionally.
SPEAKER_01 (07:37):
Okay.
So the um so the the springcleaning, um, I mean it's it's
you know it's not just umindoors, you also do you help
them outdoors as well, or is itmostly everything indoors?
SPEAKER_02 (07:52):
No, you do outdoor as well.
Uh we do like um indoors, likeuh spring clean, we do like um
um organization as well, like ifyou need uh your basement
organized or garage organized,we do as well.
And uh, but most of the springclean the our customer they
(08:13):
request like for the outside,like for around like uh for uh
on the backyards, on uh windowsclean, like outside windows
clean, yeah, or stuff like that.
Power washing around the house,uh roofing power washing,
daughter clean.
SPEAKER_01 (08:33):
Wow, is that is that where you see a like a growth in
your business?
SPEAKER_02 (08:37):
Yes, doing things like that.
So I've been um we've beenblessed with that because um we
first we had that mentality likeof um when you start some
business, we try to um to getspecialized in one thing.
And then uh me and my wife usedto talk and and say, okay,
(08:58):
you're gonna do our best onresidential clean service.
And then some customers uh startto ask some extra, like uh I
have a customer's um thatthey're professional, they are
uh doctors, they have a doctor'soffice, and then um they request
to clean their office.
And then um on the beginning, Iused to uh to think, uh, it's
(09:21):
gonna be no, I I do clean uh uhresidential clean service, I'm
not gonna go into commercial.
Um I I start to like uh resitatea little bit, and then I start
to after that, uh I start to getlike I I used to tell my clients
back in there, um, okay, I'mgonna uh do some research and
(09:43):
then I'm gonna do the clean foryou.
And then I start to to grow onthe business like that.
And then after that came allthose, you know, um uh requires
for um for the business, yeah,insurance, etc.
And then it's all came along.
SPEAKER_01 (10:02):
Wow, yeah.
So, you know, people think of umyou know residential cleaning,
they think about their typicalstuff, right?
Their rooms, the bathrooms,kitchens, and things like that,
but you guys go beyond that.
And um, yeah, I mean it's youknow, as a business, you've been
around for 20 almost 25 years,23 years.
So, you know, it's I guess it'snatural in the car course of a
(10:24):
business that's been around forso long, because most businesses
don't last five years, to seethere's other needs from your
clients, and it goes beyond justthe interior.
And even on the interior, youguys do things like oven
cleaning, refrigerator cleaning,um, you know, yeah, uh oven
cleaning.
Right.
If they're doing somerenovation, you do some
(10:46):
post-construction cleaning andthings like that.
That that's great.
Yeah, so um so what has been, Iguess, the uh I always like to
ask a lot of business ownerslike what has been the the joy
and maybe the challenges ofbeing a business owner,
regardless of the business thatyou're in.
What have been the greatest uhkind of uh triumphs, if you
(11:09):
will, of the things you'veenjoyed the most and some of the
biggest frustrations orchallenges?
SPEAKER_02 (11:14):
Well, um, yes, I have uh uh many things to point
as a uh that I enjoy because umI love what I do, and uh we we
enjoy a lot every single day.
For me, it's like um enjoymentfor to go out and um do my job.
(11:35):
But we have a lot of challenge,especially like after the COVID,
when COVID hit us.
That time was like um verychallenge for uh for the
business because still then Iused to uh my wife and I, we
used to like think uh not veryinto technology.
(11:56):
We used to think like uh, okay,you're gonna go out and do our
job, do our best, and that's it.
But and then I see uh the needfor um you know to expand a
little more because back on timewe have a uh like I said, we
have a family, and then um I seeuh it starts some struggling
(12:19):
with uh because was everythingstudy normal, okay, and then one
day to another, everything cameand boom, and hit us.
Yes, and then was like a kind ofchallenge, and then I start to
think I would say like out ofthe box, like think more like in
(12:40):
go technology, do some website,uh go into social media and uh
do some uh marketing,advertisement.
So that's kind of a challenge isstill because uh we you have um
like sometimes with um uhthere's a many companies in the
(13:01):
market, and you know, uh somebig companies they they uh focus
on make some money.
Um we love to take care of ourcustomers, and um sometimes um
for a small business like us, uhthere's some struggling doing
that.
(13:21):
But um we're so blessed to saywe have more like enjoyment than
struggling.
SPEAKER_01 (13:28):
Yeah, I know during COVID, A, there was the problem
of getting into people's homes,and then there was the issue of
staffing because a lot of peopledecided to not work intake.
I I know we had a cleaningservice, she was actually
Brazilian, and um she ended updropping us because she didn't
have any staff and she couldn'tdo it anymore.
She had to cut back on her onher clients, and I guess we
(13:49):
weren't um important enough tokeep us, but it was you know it
was a challenge because exactlywas a very solid time, yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (13:59):
And it's still because um it's like after that,
uh like uh we we try if you'regonna go into our home to clean,
I gonna make sure that I'm gonnabring uh you know personal that
I can trust.
So in order that when we we hiresomeone, we have to go
background check and everything,and um it's hard because some
(14:21):
people still like um it's shortage of um yeah of um helpers.
SPEAKER_01 (14:28):
Yeah, yeah.
So um to that point, one of thechallenges with an English-only
speaking household is I, youknow, I've had cleaning services
where everybody, the staff thatcomes to my house, nobody can
speak English, and I don't speakSpanish very well, or I don't
speak Portuguese very well.
(14:50):
So there's a there's a challengewhen you want to say something
to them.
What do you guys do in in thoseinstances?
Like, does anybody in your staffuh speak English when they go to
an English-speaking household?
Or um, like how do people uhcommunicate with your staff if
they're oh, I need you to, youknow, please clean my
refrigerator today, or you knowwhat, you know what I'm saying?
(15:10):
That that's been a challenge.
SPEAKER_02 (15:12):
Yes, I I understand that.
Um, yes, that's another uh uhchallenge that we have.
Uh most of the time I have uh ifI am not or me, myself, or my
wife, it's not with the team athome, at least when uh we start
the search, like at least uhfour or three times after for
(15:33):
recurrent um clients.
Um we uh have he dropped off,right?
SPEAKER_01 (15:44):
Well, right, we'll wait until he gets back.
There he is, back on.
There you go.
Okay, there you are.
SPEAKER_02 (15:51):
Yes.
Uh we have our um our supervisoron the on with the team, and our
supervisor most of the time theyum they understand and speak he
speaks English.
So um that's that's what helpmost, but most of the time we
try to be with the team becausethat's another challenge, and do
(16:14):
we have uh to make sure thatthey understand the whole team
understand what our the clientsneed.
SPEAKER_01 (16:22):
Right.
Okay.
So how do how do people um howdo they reach you?
Like what's the best way to tofind you?
SPEAKER_02 (16:30):
Um the most um easiest way is to by uh calling
us um our number 973 393 8050.
Or uh we are in the social medianow on uh Instagram.
Um our Instagram is RAB ServicesL L C.
(16:51):
Okay all together.
Or our website, uh it's a wwwrav cleaning service.com.
SPEAKER_01 (17:05):
Got it, got it.
Yeah, great.
So now you obviously you serviceNew Jersey, you service Bergen
County, but you also go outside,you're in uh Pennsylvania, New
York as well, is that correct?
SPEAKER_02 (17:15):
Yes, correct.
Yes.
Uh we've been um yeah, inPennsylvania and New York as
well.
Uh most of um the clients overum Pennsylvania, it's like
commercial clients.
It's um like I said, somecustomers from uh New Jersey,
they have offs over there, andthen we we serve them as well.
SPEAKER_01 (17:37):
Okay, or I went on your Instagram um you know page,
and you actually have ashout-out to the Good Neighbor
Podcast.
So thanks for that.
Yeah, that's great.
Yeah.
So uh this is great.
Uh Robert, I I really appreciateyou uh you sharing with us.
I think one of the you know, thethe guest I had on my show
(17:58):
earlier today, she was uh fromChina, and um I had three shows
on Tuesday, and one of my guestswas born in Brooklyn, but his
parents came over from Russia.
Oh, that's great Cold War in the80s.
So, you know, there's alwaysthat immigrant um, you know,
story that I I love to hear, youknow, whether you're a first
(18:19):
generation immigrant or you'rean immigrant yourself, and you
know, to to use a cliche, youknow, search for that American
dream.
But I think the you know, thestories that we we share on this
podcast are, you know, why andhow people have been able to do
what they do, and it and it cangive inspiration for other
people, whether they're born inthe US or not, but give them the
(18:41):
inspiration to do what you'vedone.
And I really appreciate yousharing that with us today.
Um, and you know, let's just goover one more time uh how people
would reach you.
The phone number is973-393-8050.
Yes, the website is rabcleaningservices.com.
(19:02):
It's the same if you look forthem on Instagram and social
media.
Uh, was there anything else thatyou you wanted to just weave
before um you know before we saygoodbye?
SPEAKER_02 (19:11):
Yes, on uh Instagram just RAB Services L L C.
SPEAKER_01 (19:17):
Oh, got it.
SPEAKER_02 (19:17):
Okay, yeah, yeah.
And then what's another thing isuh, yes, like you mentioned,
like uh many immigrants theycome to this country, and uh we
are blessed, like as animmigrant, I can say um we are
blessed to come here and bewelcome in this country and this
beautiful country.
And um it's the good thing is umif you are honest people, if you
(19:41):
are um hard-work people, you canachieve uh you know, you can
come over here and and make yourlife and grow your family.
And I'm so blessed to you knowto be here.
SPEAKER_01 (19:54):
Yeah, no, that's great.
And what I just wanted to goback to you do a lot of
residential services, but youalso do commercial.
So anybody listening owns abusiness and they need uh you
know a reliable and trustedcleaning service.
You you guys offer that as well.
SPEAKER_02 (20:10):
Yes, we offer that as well.
We are fully licensed andinsured and uh trust company.
SPEAKER_01 (20:18):
Yeah, that's great.
That's great.
So, Robert, uh obrigado, uh, youknow, for being on our show.
That's all I can say.
I don't know how to say it.
How would I say thank you forbeing on the show in Portuguese?
SPEAKER_02 (20:30):
Yes, obrigado for starting the show hoje comigo.
SPEAKER_01 (20:34):
Oh, comido, okay.
Well, thank you very much.
We uh you and I will be rightback.
We're just gonna have a um alittle uh, you know, uh Chuck is
my friend here.
He's gonna say goodbye, and thenyou and I will be right back.
SPEAKER_02 (20:46):
Yes, thank you so much.
SPEAKER_01 (20:47):
Thank you.
SPEAKER_00 (20:50):
Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor
Podcast.
To nominate your favorite localbusinesses to be featured on the
show, go to gnpbergen.com.
That's gnpbergen.com or call 201298 8325.
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