Jennifer White will be the first to admit she’s old-fashioned — she grew up in her grandparents’ household. When she was younger, it was easier to walk into an employer’s office, shake someone’s hand, and land a job.
Today, the job search looks very different. With nearly everything online, White feels the process is less personal and less professional. At the same time, she was juggling the responsibilities of raising her nine-year-old son, caring for her grandmother as dementia began to set in, and working in a job where she often felt mistreated and taken advantage of.
After doing it for a while, she realized she loved the flexibility it provided — supporting her family, caring for her son, and helping her grandmother — without being tied down to an inflexible job.
In 2025, White officially launched Spotless Home Solutions in Picayune, Mississippi, turning her side hustle into a business. The company builds on a venture she began in 2024, when she started taking on recurring cleaning jobs for elderly clients. Seeing a real need in her community, White decided to fill that gap.
“Cleaning always has to be done,” White said. “As a struggling parent and student, I know how much a clean space can mean, especially for families who are overwhelmed or just need help.”
"I enjoy meeting new people, and it means a lot that they trust me to come into their homes and leave things better than I found them.”
To get her business off the ground, White registered as a Limited Liability Company (LLC), which automatically connected her to the Mississippi Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and counselor Flint Brent in Hattiesburg. Brent helped her build a business plan for Spotless Home Solutions.
“Flint has been amazing,” White said. “They showed me everything step by step on Zoom and have just been there every step of the way.”
Brent then referred White to the Lending Team at Communities Unlimited (CU) to secure funding for equipment and working capital. CU Economic Development Loan Officer Chris Tillman facilitated the loan, which closed in July. With the funding, White plans to upgrade her cleaning supplies — moving beyond mops and brooms from the dollar store.
“For the size of my clients’ homes, it just hasn’t been cutting it,” she said.
She also wants to invest in eco-friendly products for clients who prefer them, pay for business insurance, and market to attract new customers.
“Life can be unpredictable, especially as a parent and caregiver,” White added.
White is also working toward her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. To make ends meet, she takes odd jobs as a cashier and waitress, but she sees Spotless Home Solutions as her best path toward financial stability.
Her long-term goal is to grow the business enough to hire employees, step into a management role, and expand into commercial and hospital cleaning. She is committed to keeping her prices affordable — less than competitors but still sustainable — because she wants to help those who need it most: single parents, people with disabilities, veterans, and seniors.
“This business isn’t just about growth — it’s about helping others in the community,” she said.
White credits Tillman with helping her get to this point.
“I’m so thankful I connected with Chris,” she said.
“Even though he’s my loan advisor, I can call him anytime and he’ll walk me through whatever I need.”
Securing funding was essential. White said she had applied for numerous grants and loans in the past, especially during COVID, but was always denied — even for programs designed to help single parents.
“My credit isn’t perfect, so I was nervous I’d be denied again,” White said. “When I got approved by CU, it felt like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Now I can get what I need to grow my business and make it work.”
For White, this loan is about finally moving toward the financial freedom she has been working so hard to achieve.
