When Thoroughly Clean Co secured its first ongoing commercial cleaning contract, it marked more than just another client for the growing Wagga Wagga business. It was the moment owner Yasr Ismael realised his dream of building a family business was becoming a reality. Just a few months earlier, that vision was little more than an idea.
Working casually as a bus driver in Wagga Wagga, Yasr enjoyed his job but wanted to make the most of the time between shifts. That's when he began exploring the idea of starting a cleaning business.
"I was very motivated to start my own cleaning business to build another source of income and additional employment for myself and my family," Yasr said.
There was just one problem.
"I didn't know where to start," he admitted.
After being referred to VERTO's Self-Employment Assistance (SEA) program by the Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga, Yasr met VERTO Business Coach Nathaniel Dalgleish and began turning his idea into a practical business plan.
Together, they focused on the fundamentals: researching the local market, registering the business and understanding what it would take to build a sustainable business from the ground up.
One of the biggest breakthroughs came through local market research. By analysing the cleaning industry in Wagga Wagga, they identified a strong opportunity in end-of-lease cleaning, helping Yasr shape his services and marketing to meet local demand while continuing to pursue commercial cleaning work.
From there, the focus shifted from planning to action.
As the business plan came together, Nathaniel helped Yasr build the foundations of his business—from developing his brand and online presence to setting up bookkeeping systems, creating marketing materials and managing quotes and invoices. He also joined Yasr on visits to local businesses, helping him build the confidence to introduce himself and promote his services.
"One of the things that impressed me most about Yasr was how quickly he put ideas into action," Nathaniel said.
"Every time we worked through a new step, he'd go away and put it into practice. Watching his confidence grow alongside the business has been incredibly rewarding."
For Yasr, having someone to guide him through the process made all the difference.
"The business plan was the most valuable part of the SEA program," he said. "It gave me direction and the confidence that I had someone I could contact to check I was making the right decisions."
With a clear plan in place, Thoroughly Clean Co quickly gained momentum.
Yasr invested in a van fitted with professional carpet and upholstery cleaning equipment, completed specialist training and launched targeted social media campaigns that generated enough paid work to cover the cost of advertising. He also began submitting tenders for commercial cleaning contracts across Wagga Wagga.
The biggest milestone came at the end of June when Thoroughly Clean Co secured an ongoing evening cleaning contract with a well-established local organisation, providing a reliable foundation for the company as Yasr continues to grow the business’s residential cleaning services.
That success has also brought him closer to the reason he started the business in the first place.
"My goal has always been to create employment opportunities for my family," Yasr said. "I've recently submitted more cleaning contracts and, if they're successful, I'll be one step closer to making that happen."
Looking ahead, Yasr hopes to continue growing Thoroughly Clean Co across the Riverina and beyond, one satisfied customer at a time.
For anyone thinking about starting a business, his advice is simple.
"Do the best you can on every job and with every customer interaction so people speak positively about your business," he said.
"I'd definitely recommend the SEA program. Nathaniel helped me understand exactly what I needed to research and plan for before starting my business."
With a growing client base and ambitious plans for the future, Thoroughly Clean Co is only just getting started. Every new opportunity brings Yasr one step closer to the goal that inspired him from the very beginning: building a successful family business that creates employment opportunities for his family and contributes to the wider community.
For more information about VERTO's Self-Employment Assistance program, call 1300 483 786 or visit www.verto.org.au/our-services/self-employment-assistance.
To follow Yasr's business journey or enquire about Thoroughly Clean Co's residential and commercial cleaning services, visit www.thoroughlycleanco.com.au or find Thoroughly Clean Co on Facebook.
