Meet the CEO: Olga Bell
26 November 2020
“It's important to stay focused and happy.
All business owners are used to worrying about their business - whether we’re in lockdown or not!”
In this blog, meet the CEO of MMCS Commercial Cleaning, Olga Bell, to find out more about how the company has developed over the years and how COVID has influenced its operations recently.
How has your business grown and developed over the last 18 years?
The business first started as an idea to help bring in some money while I was looking after two young children. It has now grown to a company to provide a stable income to over 30 employees and a reliable service to many companies around Newcastle and Northumberland.
When I first started MMCS (known as Maid Marian’s Cleaning Service at the time) I had no idea about how to run a business. My initial role was to build a bridge between clients who wanted their properties cleaned, and cleaners who were looking for work. By connecting them together, I learned a lot about understanding the needs of both sides.
Today, I am fortunate to have a dedicated team who help me manage the day-to-day activities of the business. This allows me to more time to focus on the long-term strategic growth of the company.
What have been the major challenges that you faced over 18 years?
The main internal challenge that I have faced throughout the history of the company is the struggle to delegate tasks and responsibilities to others.
Like many other business owners, I have often felt that everything had to be done by myself, but often this leads to more harm than good.
Over the years, the main external changes that we have faced as a company is at times underestimating the amount of work in a property which made reaching tight deadlines difficult (although, we always managed it!). I feel that we have now improved the way in which we assess new jobs and this helps to remove the pressure from my team.
How would you describe the culture at MMCS Commercial Cleaning?
I feel that the culture at MMCS can be described in two words: friendly and hard-working. My team are not afraid of challenging themselves and work well together to complete the task in hand. We would not be able to provide such a great service without the hard work and dedication of my team.
What are your company goals for the next 2 years?
We’re hoping to take on more cleaning projects with construction companies around the region and provide them with contractual cleans. This will require us to provide more extensive training for existing and new staff, which will bring around further professional expertise for the company,.
We are also about to open up our second production unit which will double the capacity for our linen hire services for holiday lets and B&B’s. This is an exciting move for the company but we will have to keep working hard to increase our turnover and provide enough work for the two offices to manage. I’m looking forward to meeting more customers and building strong work relationships with them.
Any personal goals for the next 2 years?
My personal goals are currently to spend more time with my family and work on incorporating a more active and healthier lifestyle into my daily routine.
Moving into our second office gives me a great opportunity to focus on how I can better organise my working space - I’m even looking into trialling a standing desk!
How has COVID-19 impacted your business?
COVID has made me realise the importance of having a flexible business model. During this difficult time, the company has survived by being able to adapt to situations quickly by finding a solution to a problem and implementing it without any barriers.
This has allowed the company to change its services and offerings relatively quickly and adapt to the needs of the market.
Prior to COVID, we were primarily doing regular cleans for offices and commercial properties. Now, we also provide regular disinfection services as either a one-off service or as part of a regular cleaning package and will continue to provide this disinfectant service for as long as our clients require it.
I feel that at the start of the first lockdown, everyone was a little worried as nobody knew what to expect and what would happen to the business. It wasn’t as if we could approach a professional who could guide us on how to survive a national lockdown!
At least with this second lockdown, we have had some better insight and understanding abouthow things will operate which has made it a lot less daunting.
I feel that anyone who owns a business will naturally experience thousands of worries about their company every day. That's why it's so important to stay focused and happy. All business owners are used to worrying about their business - whether we’re lockdown or not!
Water stains on wood can look unsightly and spoil the finish of furniture but fortunately those water rings don't have to stay there forever. Water stains show up as light coloured rings or clouds and can be lightened and removed easily with some natural materials. Discover how to remove water stains from wood without paying for expensive wood cleaners with our top tips below. At MMCS Commercial we have over two decades of experience in providing cleaning services across the North East. From one-off deep cleans in Newcastle to regular holiday let cleaning in Northumberland , our trained staff have got you covered. We work flexibly around your schedule to make your property clean, safe and welcoming. Get in touch to book your clean today How to remove water stains from wood How to remove water stains from wood with an iron You can remove newer water stains from wood with the help of an iron, but this method may not be as effective for stains that have present for more than a few days. Start by wiping the wood with a soft dry cloth to remove any dirt. Lay a soft t-shirt over the water stain and gently iron in circular motions for at least thirty seconds. The heat from the iron will help the moisture from the water spot to evaporate. Repeat the process until the stain has been fully lifted. How to remove water stains from wood with baking soda Baking soda is a natural, cheap and effective way to remove moisture that is trapped in water stains on wood. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with water until a paste is formed. Apply the paste to the water stain with a soft cloth and rub for a few minutes. Always follow the grain of the wood and avoid applying the paste to areas around the stain. Leave the paste to work for five minutes and remove using a dry cloth. Apply a little oil or furniture wax to re-seal the affected area. How to remove water stains from wood with vinegar Mix equal parts of white vinegar and olive oil into a bowl and apply the mixture to the stain using a dry cloth. The vinegar will work to lighten the stain while the olive oil will help to restore shine in the wood. Wipe in the direction of the wood grain until the stain has been removed. Finish by wiping the mixture away with a clean cloth. While this guide focused on how to remove water stains from wood, you can find a range of more environmentally-friendly cleaning tips and guides on our blog .
Blood stains can happen anywhere and at any time and the stains can be difficult to shift if left untreated for a long period of time. Fortunately, there are a range of cheap ways to tackle even the toughest blood stains. Discover how to remove blood stains naturally with our simple and effective methods below. At MMCS Cleaning Service, we have over two decades of experience in cleaning properties across the North East. Our trained staff use environmentally-friendly cleaning materials to make your property sparkle around your schedule. From one-off deep cleans in Newcastle to a regular holiday let changeover service in Northumberland , get in touch to book your service today. How to remove blood stains Top tip: always check the manufacturing label for guidance and avoid using warm or hot water as this can set the stain. How to remove fresh blood stains Acting fast when treating blood stains will make the stain easier to remove. Rinse the stain in cold water immediately to try and remove blood from the fibres. If treating a lighter material, use distilled white vinegar to life the stain. Spray the affected area with the vinegar and leave to soak for at least 15 minutes. Use a soft cloth to blot the vinegar away and place the item in the washing machine on a cold cycle. For darker materials, mix a few tablespoons of water with baking soda until a paste is created. Place the paste on the affected area and leave for at least 20 minutes. Scrub the paste mixture away using a soft brush (such as an old toothbrush) and wash on a cool cycle. How to remove dried blood stains Dried blood stains can be tougher to remove and may require more patience and elbow grease. Start by removing any solid deposits by scraping them away with a blunt knife. Soak the item in a bowl of cold water, laundry detergent and a few tablespoons of salt for at least one hour. Salt is an effective way to break down blood stains without using any harmful chemicals. Then, remove excess water from the fabric and apply more detergent to the affected area. Place the item in the washing machine on a cool cycle. If the stain is still visible, repeat the process above and create a thick paste using cornstarch and water. Apply the paste on the blood stain and leave to dry before scrubbing away with a soft brush. While this article focused on how to remove blood stains, you can find more environmentally-friendly cleaning guides on our blog.
Sleep is one of the most important aspects of our health and one of the biggest factors to getting a good night's sleep is the comfort of a mattress. But how often should you replace your mattress? We've put together some key indicators that show that it's time to replace your bedding. Read our top tips for when it's time to replace a mattress below. At MMCS we have over two decades of experience in cleaning properties across the North East. Our trained staff use environmentally-friendly cleaning materials to make your property sparkle around your schedule. From one-off deep cleans to a regular holiday let changeover service in Northumberland, get in touch to book your service today. Understanding when to replace a mattress Noise Your mattress shouldn't make any loud noises, even if you toss and turn regularly in your sleep. If you start hearing loud sounds such as grinding metal or springs then it could mean that your mattress is not supporting you as well as it could be. As well as keeping you awake throughout the night, the moving springs can create an uneven surface which can later cause body aches and pains. If you notice that your mattress is making noises, it's often a sign that it needs to be replaced. Allergies Dust mites are a common household allergy. The build up of dust can cause allergic reactions such as sneezing, a dry mouth and throat and a runny nose. While regular vacuuming and deep cleaning of the mattress can help to ease this , older mattresses tend to store more dust and could be the root issue for allergy symptoms. If you don't notice any improvement after deep cleaning and vacuuming your mattress, it could be a sign that it needs to be replaced. Aches and pains If you find yourself regularly waking up in pain or stiffness in areas such as your hip, neck, back and shoulders then it could be a sign that your mattress is no longer supporting you. Over time, older mattresses tend to drop and sag in places which reduces support that can impact the alignment of your spine while you sleep. This article focused on understanding when to replace a mattress but you can find a range of environmentally-friendly cleaning guides on our blog.