Meet Mia-Obie Murzynsky-Obiekwe | Janitorial Technician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mia-Obie Murzynsky-Obiekwe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mia-Obie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The thought process was actually inspired by someone else! I was working at LA Fitness as a janitor and a gym member walked up to me and compliment how well I keep up the gym. She asked if I was interested in cleaning one of her franchises. She supplied me with all the cleaning equipment for her store and told me I could make more cleaning on my own than at LA Fitness. She gave me instructions for getting my LLC and hiring a business consultant and I took off running from there.

Prior to working at LA Fitness, I was a campaign manager at a non-profit organization and it was so stressful I decided not to renew my contract. I decided I wanted to work at a gym to get back in shape and find some inner peace but the only position open at the time was janitorial. I love cleaning and thought this was perfect even though I would be making significantly less money I knew I’d find peace and that was more important to me at the time. It all worked out perfectly. My campaign management skills help me run my business, I still find peace in cleaning but I am now also spreading peace by cleaning other people’s homes.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart from other cleaning businesses is my queerness and my clientele niche. I began my business journey very nervous about my appearance, my identity, my safety, and how authentic I would be able to be in my own business. I am a nonbinary transgender person. I use they/them pronouns and most days people don’t know if I am “he or a she.” My first business consultant suggested I didn’t put my picture on my website and not to list my pronouns on anything, because that may deter prospects. I was afraid to provide quotes or do a walkthrough on someone’s property I did not know in fear of being subjected to homophobia. BUT, all the things I feared became my driving factor. Most of my clients are LGBTQ+ or allies of the community, understand my pronouns, and chose my business because I am black and transgender. They are also looking for someone who understands and respects their space and lifestyle. Right away the lesson I learned was my differences are what make me stronger.

My cleaning business is called Define Different Cleaning LLC. The name started off as just Define Different when I was 24 I wanted a way to describe myself upfront, I was often misunderstood and honestly just tired of explaining my differences. So I created a logo and put it on all my clothes and hats and used it as a way to define myself. it later turned into a youtube series and go fund me called Define: Trans, I used this platform to educate my friends and family on my transition and to help pay for my top surgery. Now, it is the name of my cleaning company. Define Different Cleaning LLC is an affordable cleaning company focusing on conscious wellness through environmental awareness. We aim to define your environment as polished and respectable. After our cleaning services, our clientele will enter their home or workspace with a clean slate physically, mentally, and ready to create.

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.
My wife and I are really big foodies so we love taking people around Atlanta to try all different types of vegan food! I am not good with itineraries but I can make a list of places I’d love to take friends and family!

Food
-Cultivate food and coffee – I am the only vegan person in my family so I’d def take them here to try some good vegan breakfast but they also have nonvegan options so if they just absolutely refuse lol they can eat some animals if they must.
-Krispy Kream but only if the light is on!
-Revolution Doughnuts also has really great vegan donuts
-Slutty Vegan
-Healthful Essence – My favorite vegan food period!
-Tasile’s Raw Reality
-Ammazza Pizza – we had our wedding rehearsal here but it is our all time favorite vegan pizza place but if they were at the rehearsal then we would take them to…
-Fire Pit Pizza which is our second fav

The Beltline broke down into different parks for each day
-Take a walk down the beltline to Krog Street Market and the Krog tunnel. We live near EAV and Little five points so it’s a short walk to Krog Market
-Ponce City Market
-At Piedmont park we love to play games and lay outside on a blanket! So this would be an all-day event!
-I own a few bikes, a skateboard, and a longboard so go for a ride on the wheels of choice!

Places to go
-Cascade!
-Edgewood Bars – specifically stopping at Joystick
-Little Five Points stroll
-Jojo’s Beloved Cocktails – really cool ducked off retro cocktail bar
-The painted duck – bowling but different and they have other games that are free.
-My sister’s room for a drag show!
-Lips for a drag show!
-Anywhere having a drag show or drag brunch if it is Sunday.
-We also play in a LGBTQ Flag Football league every Saturday so def take them to a game and hang out with our football buddies afterwards.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Gosh, there are so many people who deserve a shout-out in my story of how I got here. The lady who encouraged me to start cleaning independently was Carla Desormot, she’s an NPC Figure Competitor. Also the Cleaning Business Network and Mr. AJ Simmons! His cleaning course and community following online helped me so so so much in getting a lot of my contracts. My wife, Danielle, has been my support system and my cleaning partner in the beginning. She hates cleaning haha but she believes in everything I do! All my LGBTQ+ friends who allow me to ask them questions and lean on them in times of need. I thank you as well. It is not east being queer and running a business. Shout out to all my queer business owners!

Website: www.definedifferentcleaning.com

Instagram: define_miaobie & Define.Different.Cleaning