Angela Nicole Neilson-Serrano
Angela Neilson Serrano is the founder and owner of Angela’s Cleaning Service, a thriving cleaning company based in Buffalo, New York. Inspired by her mother’s work in the cleaning industry, Angela began cleaning professionally at age 15. By 18, she had formalized her own company as an LLC and gradually expanded her business to serve both residential and commercial clients. Today, she oversees a team of 14 employees, providing high-quality cleaning services that range from routine home maintenance to large-scale commercial projects, including specialized floor care for institutions like Canisius University. Angela is committed to creating clean, safe, and peaceful environments for her diverse clientele. Her company emphasizes personal service, assisting elderly clients with care and offering senior discounts, while also catering to busy families and businesses in Orchard Park, Hamburg, East Aurora , West Seneca, Buffalo, and surrounding communities. Through her hands-on approach to scheduling, quality control, and client communication, Angela ensures every project meets her company’s high standards. She has invested in professional-grade equipment and systems, including a central van transport for her team, to enhance service efficiency and reliability. Beyond her business accomplishments, Angela is passionate about supporting her local community and uplifting fellow female Hispanic entrepreneurs. Her dedication to integrity, hard work, and continuous improvement has helped her build long-term client relationships and a strong reputation in the Buffalo area. Angela also manages a freelance website design business and is trilingual, demonstrating her versatility and commitment to personal and professional growth.
• Erie Community College - A.A.
• Hispanics United
• Influential Women
• Two Rivers Church, New Wine Church and various domestic violence shelters in Puerto Rico
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute all of my success to God. I started very young. I have truly learned from experience. I began working in the cleaning industry at age 15, following in my beautiful mother Maria's footsteps, who had been a professional cleaner for years. By 16, I was cleaning independently, and by 18, I formalized my own business as an LLC. Over time, I gradually expanded, hiring employees in the Orchard Park area and building a portfolio of both residential and commercial cleaning clients. As the owner of Angela’s Cleaning Services, I oversee a team of 14 employees. We provide both commercial and residential cleaning services, ranging from standard home cleanings to large-scale commercial jobs, including floor buffering projects for sites like Canisius University. I manage scheduling, employee transport, client communication, job-site supervision, and quality control. Our central van system allows us to pick up and drop off workers efficiently, which is particularly helpful for our awesome employees and elderly clients who rely on consistent service. Be sure to honk if you see our van inspired by my service dog Stella. I stay hands-on with operations to ensure every cleaning meets our company’s high standards. I am proud to have built my business from the ground up, maintaining long-term client relationships while growing enough to support multiple employees. Recently, I invested in professional floor buffers to expand our capabilities and take on new commercial opportunities, reflecting my commitment to continually improving our services. My best friend and sister, Ibeojo, has consistently demonstrated unwavering support—always ready to answer my call, in moments both light and heavy. My service pitbull, Stella Neilson, sticks by my side always. She also happens to be very cute.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received comes from God. My mother, Maria, has been my greatest mentor. She has guided me not only in starting my career but also in navigating life’s challenges. I also credit my father, Tom, for instilling a very strong work ethic and practical wisdom that continue to guide me every day.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to never be afraid to ask for help and to learn from those with experience. Believe in yourself, move steadily toward your goals, and focus on progress rather than perfection. I’ve found that Jesus, prayer, patience, consistency, and taking life one day at a time are absolutely essential. I also encourage young entrepreneurs not to compare their journey to others, but to focus on building their own path with confidence and purpose.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is managing staffing, transportation logistics, and a large client base. Balancing these responsibilities while maintaining high-quality service can be demanding. At the same time, these challenges present opportunities to improve systems, train a strong team, and expand services efficiently. My personal health journey has added another layer of complexity, requiring me to balance my recovery with the day-to-day responsibilities of running a business.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are faith, family, relationships, perseverance, gratitude, and humility. I believe in taking life one step at a time, trusting the process, learning from those with experience, and always treating others with kindness and respect. These principles guide how I lead my team, serve my clients, and navigate life’s challenges.