'I decided to take a risk and go all in' with my side hustle, which has now become a successful business bringing in $10,000 a month without a college degree.

Anna-Marie Ortiz didn't delay starting her cleaning business and instead focused on finding a strategy that would work.

"The 30-year-old advises CNBC Make It that people spend too much time over-preparing, but they should just go out and do it to make it happen."

Ortiz's cleaning business, Cool Aunt Cleaners, grew from a side hustle to a full-time operation generating an average of $10,000 a month as of September 2024. Despite leaving behind a higher-paying job, she values the independence and flexibility of being her own boss.

Becoming an entrepreneur

In her 20s, Ortiz left college to work at startups in Kansas, where her interest in entrepreneurship began. Over several years, she earned what she calls an "untraditional four-year degree in business," gaining practical skills in sales, marketing, and project management.

In 2020, Ortiz and a high school friend opened a plant shop, but the pandemic forced them to shift to online sales and the business closed in early 2021.

Despite the failure of her plant store, Ortiz remained determined to start her own business. By 2022, after moving to Portland and working remotely for a startup, she began exploring new business ideas. She aimed to establish a service-based business with low inventory and overhead costs.

"Building a seven-figure business was her goal, and she achieved it with her last $2,000 in savings by purchasing supplies, building a website, and designing a logo," Ortiz says.

Leaving a fintech job to run the business full-time

Ortiz found more profitable opportunities in smaller condos near downtown Portland after adjusting her pricing strategy and shifting her focus from residential neighborhoods with single-family homes.

By November 2023, Ortiz was able to quit her $60,000-a-year fintech job to run Cool Aunt Cleaners full-time. Today, the business is projected to generate over $100,000 in revenue in 2024, with 15 to 20 recurring clients.

"I've never struggled with indecisiveness, which I believe is a positive trait," she remarks.

Ortiz initially hired several employees but later discovered that her pricing did not match labor costs, leading her to scale back and work alone. After adjusting her payment structure, she now has a part-time employee and helps with cleaning jobs as needed.

Ortiz values the freedom and flexibility of entrepreneurship, which allows her to make her own decisions and create a work environment that reflects her values. She earns $29,000 annually, which is less than half of her previous salary.

To build wealth, Ortiz knew she had to create something of her own, which meant taking that first step. She realized she couldn't wait for others' dreams and decided to fully commit to hers.

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