Born and raised in Toronto, I’m the son of Guyanese immigrants and the grandson of a successful business owner. That entrepreneurial mindset runs deep in my family and continues to shape my path.

While studying Economics and Finance at Toronto Metropolitan University, I learned how to analyze markets, understand financial systems, and think critically under pressure—skills that became invaluable when I launched Sal Cleaners. My time at Ford Motor Company of Canada also gave me real-world experience in managing complex tasks and working through challenges, including navigating difficult team dynamics and dealing with poor leadership. It taught me how not to lead—and that’s helped me build a business that values clear communication, respect, and accountability from the ground up.

After being laid off in late 2023, I had two choices: keep waiting for the right opportunity, or create one. I chose the latter. With the rising cost of living in Canada, I leaned into my economics background to stay afloat and adapt. I restructured our pricing models based on local data like median household income and mortgage default rates, optimized our cost-per-clean, and found ways to offer competitive pay to cleaners without sacrificing profitability.

This isn’t my first time trying to build something. I’ve launched multiple ventures over the years—including 10 years creating content on YouTube. While those earlier efforts didn’t take off, they taught me resilience, persistence, and how to learn from failure.

Now, Sal Cleaners is gaining momentum. We’re landing new jobs weekly, growing our team, and building a reputation for quality and consistency. I’m proud of how far we’ve come—and excited for what’s ahead.

—Brian Salyckram