Interview with Elizabeth Olson Co-Founder of Clear Intentions Window Washing

March 14, 2023
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FoF Small Business Highlight , Interviews

Interview: Clear Intentions Window Washing

Today in our Friends of Fallbrook Small Business Highlight, we speak with Elizabeth Olson, Co-Founder of Clear Intentions Window Washing out of Bonsall.

Please tell us a bit about yourself!

We are a husband and wife team. Elizabeth grew up in Bonsall and graduated from Fallbrook High. Brian grew up in LA. We moved around the southwest (Las Vegas, NV and Phoenix, AZ) for our careers but settled back home in Bonsall when our oldest daughter was born in 2007. The things I love most about our area are the weather, the amazing afternoon breeze that we get in Bonsall. I love driving our curvy roads and when the trees create a canopy over the road. I love passing people’s yards and seeing their livestock, like the longhorn steer on South Mission or the buffalo when you head to Pala.

How, when and why did you start your business?

Brian had a life goal to own his own business. In 2013 , we made it a reality when we purchased the business from the previous owner who taught us how to clean windows. We used our backgrounds in home building and customer service to put the finishing touches on our professional service. For example, wearing booties over our shoes in your home and closing the doors and gates behind us to ensure your pets don’t escape.

Buying a business is similar to buying a home in that there is an escrow process. After checking with many banks, I found a small business lender who approved us for a loan. We closed escrow and it was all us from there.

What challenges have you faced?

When we started all of our customer base was in San Diego and we would commute there every day but as more and more local people learned about our services we found ourselves busier and busier closer to home. Eventually we shrunk our service area to only stay in North County and Temecula. Another challenge is this work is very seasonal. You definitely have to save for a rainy day/season.

Tell us why you love what you do?

There are 2 main things I love about what we do. First, I love going to all the different neighborhoods in Fallbrook and Bonsall. There are so many hidden gems you wouldn’t know just by driving the main roads. We see so many different types of homes from extravagant to cozy and the views here are some of the greatest. The second thing is cleaning windows is pretty instant gratification as far as most trades go. Once we get to work and you see how clean that first window comes out you know you’re in for a treat. Having clean windows throughout your house makes a home feel brighter and revitalized.

If you could do it differently, would you?

The only thing different is I probably should have done it sooner in life.

Who or what inspires you?

We are inspired by other entrepreneurs, seeing what they have built and hearing their stories. Many times when we go to someone’s home they are running a small business out of their home/garage or another building on their property and I enjoy hearing their stories of where they started and seeing the life they have built for themselves from their hard work.

If you could give advice to someone contemplating entrepreneurship, what would it be?

Word of mouth advertising is the golden ticket. If you do a good job people will sing your praises. Also YOU will probably be your biggest obstacle. The faster you get out of your own way the better off your business will be. Don’t be afraid to take a risk.

What’s next for you?

We are now parents of teenagers, so we are growing into that role. I’m looking forward to watching them go through the rituals of high school and encouraging their futures in college and beyond.

We enjoy travel and look forward to retiring to a hobbit hole in the hillside one day.