Bringing Healthcare Expertise to The Cleaning Coop
Meet our Founders: Paulina Mendoza
The Cleaning Coop (TCC) is a company that's redefining the cleaning industry through its people-first approach and commitment to creating a supportive community for its team members, and Paulina Mendoza is one of our three visionary co-founders.
From Healthcare to Cleaning: A Journey of Purpose
Before co-founding TCC, Paulina built a strong foundation in healthcare as a nurse in Mexico. With a nursing degree and five years of experience in adult post-surgery recovery, she later pursued a master's degree in nursing with specializations in administration, research, and teaching.
Paulina's journey to Canada marked a significant transition in her life. Burnt out after working as a frontline healthcare worker during the pandemic in Mexico, she and her husband came to Canada in search of something different. While this move meant leaving behind her established nursing career it would ultimately lead to new opportunities.
After arriving in Canada, Paulina connected with Lulu, and soon after, Hayley—the other co-founders of what would become The Cleaning Coop. Though their experiences were diverse, they shared a vision to create a better working environment for women, particularly those who were newly arrived in Canada. This shared dream sparked the formation of TCC.
Bringing Healthcare Expertise to TCC
Paulina's healthcare background has proven invaluable to her role at TCC. Her experience in hospital management, team coordination, and infection prevention directly translates to her administrative responsibilities within the cooperative.
At TCC, Paulina has implemented important health and safety protocols, drawing from her nursing knowledge. She's created guidelines for the team about changing gloves between tasks, using indoor shoes to prevent cross-contamination, and wearing masks when necessary. Her medical background has enabled her to explain complex health concepts in accessible ways to the team, ensuring everyone understands the importance of these practices—especially when cleaning healthcare facilities and senior living environments.
Values in Action
What makes Paulina's contribution to TCC particularly meaningful is how her personal values align with the cooperative's mission. Her healthcare background instilled in her a deep commitment to care, safety, and dignity—principles that now form the foundation of TCC's approach to both team members and clients.
"We needed to be hyper conscious of preventing the spread of bacteria and viruses in our work," Paulina explains when discussing her nursing experience and how it influences TCC's cleaning protocols. This attention to detail and commitment to health safety distinguishes TCC's services, particularly in healthcare settings.
Beyond technical expertise, Paulina brings a compassionate leadership style that emphasizes communication, support, and respect. She takes pride in the community they've built within TCC, where team members—many of whom are immigrant women—find not just employment but a supportive network that helps with everything from landlord issues to health concerns.
Paulina's story exemplifies how diverse professional backgrounds can enrich entrepreneurial ventures. By bringing her healthcare expertise to the cleaning industry, she has helped create a company that stands out not just for the quality of its services but for its commitment to the wellbeing of its people—a true embodiment of TCC's revolutionary approach to business.
