Inspiring Conversations with Astrid De Leeuw of Golden Tiger Cleans

Today we’d like to introduce you to Astrid De Leeuw.

Hi Astrid, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
After immigrating to the US with two graduate degrees, I faced an unexpected reality: I couldn’t get a job. When I finally landed a role in supply chain, I was laid off less than two years later when my position was moved to Mexico. I realized then that waiting for a corporation to recognize my value was a losing game. I decided to build my own table.

In January 2026 while living in Queens, NY, I launched Golden Tiger Cleans (in Philadelphia). I wanted to create a flexible business that would allow me to work from home so I could manage the household. Little did we know we would pack everything up in a U-Haul again and move across the country to LA for a career/lifestyle move for my husband. I have been working on growing the business remotely since then.

My model is simple but scalable: I acquire residential cleaning clients (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) and manage all operations (scheduling, customer service, administration, and marketing) while my team of cleaners focuses on delivering exceptional service. I am the engine, they are the heart.

I am a first-generation entrepreneur with no family history of business ownership. To overcome this, I invested my own money in mentorship from successful cleaning business owners to fast-track my learning. It is working. As of today, early April, I am scheduled to breakeven this month, only 3-4 months in.

I haven’t told my family about the business yet. I want to show them a steady monthly profit first, so they can see that their daughter/sister’s leap of faith paid off. Once we are cruising in Philadelphia, I plan to expand to other locations and do the same thing all over again. This will allow the company to grow to a million dollar business.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was fortunate enough to be able to get experienced mentors who have followed this exact road to business success. They assisted with the website setup, the email and told me where to focus when everything feels like chaos.
They are also the reason I can avoid certain pitfalls that are preventing early success.
Still cash flow can be a struggle for any business, let alone a startup. We use Stripe to securely process customer transactions. I love how secure and professional Stripe is, yet it can take up to a week before the funds land in the bank account. Sometimes cleaners do not have the luxury of waiting to get paid, so I have to dig into my personal funds to ensure they get paid when they need money.
It can be tough to keep paying to use these marketing platforms when the business hasn’t been profitable yet. I keep my eyes on the long term vision and realize there is no other way for potential customers to find me. Also having cleaners who rely on me to find work for them, is a big motivator!
Lastly I started this business on the East Coast when I lived on the East Coast. The time difference can hit me hard, especially when I need to be available at 8 AM on the East Coast, while it is 5 AM in Los Angeles.

We’ve been impressed with Golden Tiger Cleans, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a local business (in Philly), working with local cleaners and local customers who require the best cleaning they can get, without sacrificing the human touch. We want to make life easier on you, so you can come home relaxed, knowing that the chores have been done!
We specialize in recurring cleanings, having the same cleaner go to the same house every month, every two weeks or even every week. They get a feel for your home, know which nooks and crannies tend to get buildup and understand your preferences. We cater to your needs, on your schedule.
Golden Tiger Cleans is not a franchise, which means we can offer lower prices without sacrificing on the execution.
I am proud of how our customers feel after the cleaning is done, and of how I am able to offer others a source of income and independence. I am proud of the brand for attracting customers; I want to keep growing to build an even more reliable brand for our customers and cleaners alike. And for myself, I am proud of the commitment and consistency I have put in to get to this point. I am confident this will take this company very far!

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Luck has placed me in front of some amazing people that have supported me in my life.
Also luck in being born in the right environment to allow me to pursue these business challenges and goals. I am quite privileged that I am able to dip into personal funds to cover any losses or advances in cash flow at this point.
I am quite privileged that I have access to time and resources to build a business like this. I don’t take any of this for granted; I intend to build on it and expand my privilege to others.

Contact Info:

• Website: hello@goldentigercleans.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldentigercleans/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoldenTigerCleans/