Kelly Cleaning Up

She started her part-time office cleaning business with a bucket, some cloths and a borrowed vacuum cleaner.

Now, she has given up her day job to focus full-time on her business, has more than doubled her customer base and is a finalist in the upcoming Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network Awards.

Kelly Powell said goodbye to her role role in project management after 10 years with the same insurance company on may 30

She will now devote all her energy to the business she runs with husband Jamee, Kapow’s Cleaning Services.

The couple have hired three people, with a fourth due to start soon.

To say that 2013 has been a huge year for Kelly is an understatement.

“I would say around 60-70% of my new business comes from direct word-of-mouth referrals,” she said.

“I have also actively looked to hire people with challenges because I see the value in helping people understand their own self-worth”

“I only purchase cleaning supplies from local cleaning suppliers, either locally or australian made.”

“And cleaning requests I can’t provide services for, I forward to other local small businesses.”

“If we help each other, we get greater results!”

Kapow’s Cleaning Services has expanded it’s product range to offer potted plants for offices as well as residential cleaning.

“I like to think it is never about what you can lose, it’s always about what you can gain,” Kelly said.

Sunshine Coast Daily

Top-performing Coast business women among award finalists

Great to see the Sunshine Coast Daily acknowledging the Finalists in 2013 Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network Awards. Kapow’s founder, Kelly Powell, was among the hard-working entrepreneurial stars to recognised in the 2013 awards.

You can see all the women nominated below, or click here to see the original article from the Sunshine Coast Daily.


THE Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network has named the finalists in its 2013 awards.

They will be presented on August 24 2013.

Young Business Woman of the Year: Kira Klein, Kira Klein Enterprises; Tsu Shan Chambers, Yin Health; Carly Earl, Eco Child; Loretta Morgan, Jam Property; Heidi Gorell-Hay, Mirror Professional Development; Belinda McEachern, littleMUSOS; Melinda Bingley, MAB Personal Training; Elizabeth Henebery, DTB! Advertising.

Micro/Small Business Woman of the Year: Renee Blackwell, Renee Blackwell Jewellery; Henriette Cosgrove, Principal Plans Pty Ltd; Jacqueline Eegdeman-Gerri, Copecats Printers; Genine Howard, Fork in the Road Enterprises; Tracey-Ann Ferguson, Close Financial Planning; Cindy Steele, TopGear Security; Kelly Powell, Kapow’s Cleaning Services; Sandy Riba, ribakasteel; Kylie Patchett, Tall Poppy Project.

Corporate Business Woman of the Year: Kelly Thomas, ADFX; Lindy Kelly, Loan Market; Tamara Wrigley, Carolans First National Real Estate Nambour; Faith Baigent, Hinterland Times Sunshine Coast; Jody Irvine, Fastway Couriers; Linda Delamotte, Your Home Care.

Professional Business Woman of the Year: Leanne Layfield, Caloundra Chamber of Commerce; Sandy McCulloch, Heritage Bank Nambour; Michelle Evans, 4 Ingredients; Kylie Jacobson, Heritage Regional Sales Manager; Sue Frost, Women’s Lifestyle Expo.

More details about the awards online at www.scbwn.org.au

Kapow’s founder honoured with finalist nomination!

The entire Kapow’s Commercial Cleaning team is delighted to hear that founder and company hero, Kelly Powell was nominated as a finalist in the 2013 Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network Business Woman of the Year.

To be included as one of the nine hard-working leaders in the Small / Micro Business category is truly an honour for Kelly. Anyone who works with Kelly knows how much of her soul so puts into every task, and this nomination is well deserved.

Congratulations Kelly!

You can check out the My Weekly Preview exclusive announcement here, or visit the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network for the full list of finalists here!

Kapow’s now built for a corporate culture

KELLY Powell has had a permanent smile on her face for three weeks. That’s what happens when you win a business-defining tender.

Her Kapow’s Cleaning Services business, which she operates with husband Jamee, has won the contract to clean the call centre and offices of Stellar in Maroochydore Homemaker Centre.

The contract, which began on January 14, means cleaning windows, reception and kitchen areas as well as vacuuming and emptying rubbish bins five nights a week.

It has created one casual job, and will more than likely create at least one or two more this year.

It has also set up her 18-month- old business, which was previously just a husband-and -wife operation, for a growth explosion.

“This type of contract puts you on the map,” she said.

“I am absolutely stoked. I am still smiling and it’s been three weeks.

“We are super excited about the potential of where this could take us.

“We will need another person soon to cover holidays and sick leave.

“So I suspect Stellar will open up a whole new world for us in the way of contracts, and I have staff waiting and ready to go.”

Mrs Powell was strategic about the tender process, viewing it as a learning opportunity even if she didn’t win and thoroughly preparing to deliver a stand-out application.

“If you want to do something, give it a go,” she said.

“The worse case is you don’t win, but at least you’ve been through a good exercise.

“I didn’t go in thinking I was going to do a cleaning quote. I researched Stellar before I met their operations manager to find out their culture and what they do.

“I treated my meeting as a job interview and not as a quotation process.

“Stellar is exactly the market I want to get into – I want to specialise in call centre and small-to-medium business cleaning.

“We want to develop that corporate culture.” The Powells initially took on cleaning for some extra cash but could end up leaving their jobs to focus on the growing business.

She said she made use of advice and support from her accountant and Geoff Peters, from the council, when completing the tender process.

“Geoff Peters was there 24-7 for me. He directed me to various places on the council website (businessezy.com.au), which gives you such a great insight into everything you need to be thinking about.

“It is easy to read and to understand.”

Check out the article from the Sunshine Coast Daily here!