Meet Steven Ip | Founder of Cleanzen

We had the good fortune of connecting with Steven Ip and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Steven, can you tell us about a book that has had a meaningful impact on you?
I have come across this book entitled The Unfair Advantage: How You Already Have What It Takes to Succeed during my college days and a certain quote from Jeff Bezos, Amazon CEO has stuck with me and summarized how I lived my life and came to be where I am now. “Frugality drives innovation.”
As an immigrant coming from China, I grew up seeing my mom use coupons during grocery shopping, making the most out of every single item we bought, recycling plastics and soda bottles, and other ways to cut costs to keep our family afloat. Those habits kind of grew on me and I lived ever since under the principle of frugality.
I like to write all my expenses down in my phone’s notes. I like to think that my expenses for food, rent, gas, car insurance, and other necessary expenses I need to live the lifestyle I have are fixed costs. These things are mandatory for me while other expenses can be cut down.
This is the same mindset I apply in running my business. I only spend what is necessary and cut down any costs I can. I believe that if when you are smart with your money, you are also free to use it to your advantage. And I have been seeing the results of these applications as I grew Cleanzen into what it is today.

What should our readers know about your business?
I started Cleanzen during my last year in college at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I was an accounting major at that time and looking back, I did not want to cage myself in the limits of my profession. So I started reading self-help and entrepreneurial books. Those books sparked my inspiration to start my own business. Among them, Rich Dad Poor Dad, and E-myth became one of the most influential books in my life, setting the foundation of my path to business. At that time, I wanted to start a business with no risk which implemented a business model that was recurring. One thing led to another and I was able to come up with a maid service. I wanted to pair technology with great customer service and stumbled upon the lack of ease in booking and scheduling cleaners. With that as the foundation, I aimed for a service that would not only help the cleaners but also make my customers happy. That is how Cleanzen came to be. As of now, I still read books and still find ways to incorporate the things I learn into my business. I believe that like education, business is also a lifelong learning process. It is challenging but I enjoy what I am doing.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There are a lot of good places and amazing things to do in Miami. For one, the Everglades is definitely a must. There are a lot of activities that would probably take you a day or two to finish. I love riding a bike along the trails and going on the boat tour. A personal favorite of mine is the Shark Valley which is home to several shark species. It is both fun and educational. Another one is the Bayside Marketplace. It is home to both good food and music. A stroll down the place with a frozen drink made up of fresh fruit while listening to music from the local artists is a must-try.
If you are a fan of Jane Austen and her works, I also recommend the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. It has a similar vibe with a picturesque view. A must if you are wanting for Instagramable photos.
When it comes to food, I am always up for Pollo Tropical. If you are into a fusion of Latin and Caribbean cuisine, then it is a must-go-to place. I love their grilled chicken breast, a personal favorite.
If you are into Latin cuisines and would also like to try a bit of their culture, I recommend the neighborhood of Little Havana. They have a line of restaurants and cafes there that offer a variety of items. If you are into a strong but sweet type of coffee, I recommend trying their Cuban coffee.
Lastly, a dip in Miami beaches will complete your overall Miami experience.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to my role model, my hero, and my inspiration, my mom. I grew up seeing her working two jobs and giving it her all to provide for us despite our situation back then. She would come home tired from her work, but she would still cook and take care of us. Her work ethic, frugality, relentlessness, and perseverance were what guided and made me the person I am today. I am thankful for her.

Website: https://cleanzen.com/miami

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleanzenmiami/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleanzen-cleaning-services-miami/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CleanzenMiami

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cleanzenmiami/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cleanzen-miami-miami?osq=cleanzen

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC95c3aGmBdOxYRLlvPVLOyQ/about