Success Story: Ofe’s Cleaning Services LLC

Ofe’s Cleaning Services is Built to Shine

Location: Northern California | Monterey County | Salinas

Business Type: Janitorial Services

Small Business Center: El Pájaro CDC Regional Women’s Business Center

Assistance Received: Business Planning, Company Formation, E-Commerce and Digital Marketing, One-on-One Advising, and Training

California State Assembly District: 29 

California State Senate District: 17 

Visit Ofe’s Cleaning online

When Ofelia Ortega launched Ofe’s Cleaning Services LLC, she wasn’t just starting a cleaning business, she was building economic stability for her family. 

Growing up in Santa Ana Hidalgo, Mexico, Ofelia Ortega watched her parents work the fields and run a small business selling tamal leaves and dough. That early example of entrepreneurship stayed with her. Before moving to the United States, she tried her hand at a fruit stand, seamstress work, and hairdressing. Once she settled in Salinas, building a better future for her daughter became her focus, and the idea of starting a formal business of her own began to take shape. 

Ofelia launched Ofe’s Cleaning Services LLC, but the road from informal side work to legitimate business owner was not without its challenges. She had already taken on several cleaning jobs and brought on a helper, but she lacked the legal and administrative knowledge to manage the business properly. She was also uncertain about its potential and how to scale it, which made it difficult to feel confident about the path ahead. 

That changed when she connected with the El Pájaro CDC Regional Women’s Business Center (EPCDC) in Watsonville, part of the statewide California Women’s Business Centers Network (CA WBC). 

The CA WBC Network is California’s only coordinated, statewide economic development infrastructure designed specifically for women entrepreneurs—serving more than 17,000 clients annually in 17 languages through 21 Women’s Business Centers across 53 counties. The network generates an extraordinary $928 million in local economic activity—up 18% from 2024—using a conservative 1.5x reinvestment of total gross sales revenue back into local communities. 

Through the EPCDC Empresari@ Business Program, one-on-one advising sessions, and marketing courses, she gained the skills and knowledge to run her business with intention. The Empresari@ program helped her build a solid business plan, while the marketing courses helped her establish a social media presence to reach a wider audience. The personalized, one-on-one assistance proved to be the most valuable part of the experience, helping her learn how to create service agreements, manage her finances, and understand the permits and licenses required to operate legally. 

Most importantly, she gained confidence. 

“Here at El Pajaro CDC I was able to learn more about the different types of permits and licenses I needed to operate. Their guidance allowed me to continue being motivated to start this business and to know that this was the right path for me. After going through their programs, I now feel confident in my journey and know that El Pajaro CDC will be able to answer any question I may have regarding my business.” 

The impact was measurable:

• Increased business income by 15% in six months
• Expanded from residential cleaning into more profitable commercial contracts
• Created jobs for two part-time employees
• Built a family-run business where both Ofelia and her daughter Michelle now work full-time  

Over the past six months, the client mix has shifted as well: Ofe’s now serves more commercial clients than residential ones, a direction the owners intend to grow, having found commercial work to be the more profitable side of the business. 

What started as a side hustle rooted in family values has grown into a thriving, formal business serving Monterey County. For Ofelia, the journey reflects not just her own determination, but the inspiration of a father who showed her what it looks like to build something you believe in. 

Learn more about Ofe’s Cleaning Services by following them on Instagram at @ofescleaningservices. 

And if you are interested in starting or growing a business on California’s Central Coast, connect with the El Pájaro CDC Regional Women’s Business Center to learn about their bilingual programs, one-on-one advising, and resources designed to help entrepreneurs in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties thrive. 

6/1/2026