Meet Ereka Tamayo | Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ereka Tamayo and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Ereka, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I decided to develop Pivot Cleaning Services to create a path from Corporate America to Brand Building. I was at a place in life were I was working 60-70 hours a week and still felt under-valued and unappreciated. I wanted to start working hard for myself, instead of others. I have had many jobs that have prepared me to go into many fields and excel. Cleaning is something that I do naturally. When thinking of my transition, I wanted to do something with purpose. I thought back to the most comforting help that I received to motivate me to “push through” hard days. The one thing that kept coming to mind was the one time that I was really struggling mentally. I could not for the life of me get motivated to do much other than what was required. It was the time that my mother came to clean my home one day when I was at work. I came home and my house was spotless. There is no greater feeling than having a task done, correctly, and you didn’t have to take hours to get it done. That was my answer! My target market would be “Super Moms”. Mothers that do so much for others that they do have the energy to do it all. I do take on clients for one-time cleanings. I only take on clients that I know are overwhelmed already and the last thing they want to do with their free time is clean. Cleaning is a occupation that will never fade.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Pivot Cleaning Services is a company that conducts commercial and residential cleaning services for the city of Memphis and the surrounding counties. Pivot is a company that looks beyond just cleaning. As a company, we take time to gain knowledge on how we can best meet the needs of our clients. We primarily focus on helping working families gain and maintain balance. We also offer services for individuals in therapy, that need help with decluttering, organization and concierge services. Our primary goal is to assist with tasks you simply do not have the time and/or energy to complete,
As the owner, I am most proud of growing a business during a global pandemic, Covid took a toll on so many families, businesses and lives. The fact that I was able to relocate back to Memphis and build a company. I started with one client and have expanded to the point that I am not in the process of hiring to expand. I was able to achieve this growth by networking, social media posts/comments and word of mouth advertising. The road has not been easy. There have been times when I did not work for 2-3 weeks due to my clients contracting covid, clients moving or passing away and businesses closing. It has been difficult to watch the people that you grow a bond with suffer. I am thankful for my support system that has helped “keep my head above water” as I navigate how to maintain and expand Pivot Cleaning Services.
Some valuable lessons that I have learned along that way are: Trust your instinct and operate accordingly. All money ain’t good money. The most important lesson that I have learned is to never give up. You may need to rest. You may need to eat. You may need a venting session or good scream. Acknowledge your feelings, cry it out, but don’t quit!
What I want the world to know about me is that I too was counted out. I could write a book about all the trial and tribulations that I have experienced. In spite of it all, I chose kindness. I pride myself on being a genuinely kind person. I pride myself on being the dependable mother, friend and resource to those around me. I have learned that through kindness, God’s favor is unfathomable. It is important for me to teach and show just how much of a difference a moment of kindness will matter.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Breakfast spots-Brother Junipers, Blues City Donuts and Another Broken Egg are some of my favorite places.
Lunch-I take everyone to Chings Hotwings first. Energy Pasta, Juicy Crab Taconganas food trucks are my go to places
Take out- Pizza from Tyre Flax (home based business and literally the best pizza I have ever eaten). Hood Hibachi with Preacha Tim and philly cheese or taco eggs rolls from Clara Belle’s Kitchen. Mexican pizzas from Situational Cravings or Blacc Woodard. BBQ from A&R or Paynes (they are so good they only open from 11-2pm M-F).
Treats-Butterriffic Bakery and Cafe (cookies, pies, banana pudding..everything is good)
Hang out spots- The Comedy Junt, Club Oasis on Mondays, any event by Curtis Givens, event by Pink Cloud Entertainment, Trap Bingo at The Venue, The Cove, Boscos in Midtown, Next Level Bar & Grill. Joyride In the City has all the connects, so I just follow her page on Facebook.
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 first thank God and my children. I would like to dedicate a shoutout my therapist. Without her, I would not have had to strength to challenge myself beyond what I’m comfortable with. I want to thank the father of my children. He is a continued support system and resource to help me grow. Lastly, I want to thank the city of Memphis. I could not be who am I am and aspiring to be if it were not for the people here that support me.
Instagram: @pivotclean
Twitter: @pivotclean
Facebook: @pivotclean