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From teenage mom to successful entrepreneur: here's how Norwich native made it happen Matt Grahn, Norwich Bulletin Jacqueline Goldstein’s cousin told her not to start her own business. The next day, Goldstein called back as a proud business owner. mThat was 14 years ago. At the time, Goldstein was a single mother at 23, with a 6- and 3-year-old, with a waitressing job that barely paid the bills. “I didn’t want to prove a lot of people right and become a statistic," Goldstein said. She sat at the kitchen table with two choices. While photography is pleasant work, cleaning was in demand. The next day, she emptied her bank account to pay for supplies, fees and advertising. Jac's Cleaning Service owner Jacqueline Goldstein started her cleaning business almost 14 years ago. She now has 10 employees and wants to expand through most of the state. “I told myself if I make as much money or more than I do at the restaurant in a year, then I’ll keep going,” she said. Five months in, Goldstein quit her waitressing job. After five years, her business, Jac’s Cleaning Service, was contracted by Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse at Mohegan Sun and Goldstein expanded from cleaner to manager. She now has 10 employees. Now, the Norwich native’s company operates throughout New London County, and has expanded the service area throughout the state and into Rhode Island. Her commercial clients include the Pepsi facility in Uncasville, and Prime 82 in Norwich, and the Q105 Radio Station in New London. "We've been using Jac's Cleaning Service for about five years now. The crew is here every night, and the kitchen is ready every morning," Chef Gary LaMothe from Daivid Burke Prime said in a statement. Jac's is a member of three different chambers of commerce, and has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, Goldstien said. In addition to providing a service to local businesses, Jac’s Cleaning Service gives back to local nonprofits, including Sound Community Services, Whole Life, and Reliance Health. Goldstein also helps with the Second Chance Reentry Initiative Program, which helps recently incarcerated individuals find employment. Beyond a business story, Goldstein’s experience shows how anyone can succeed, she said. Growing up Goldstein’s father owned The Golden Greek in Plainfield for a few years. As a middle schooler, Goldstein helped at the restaurant. One night, her father handed out beers to the dishwashing crew, a reward for the hard work that lets everyone else do their job. Goldstein took that lesson to heart. She aims to be good to her employees. Sadly, Eric Goldstein had cancer and heart problems. He passed away at 48. “He was a good man. He taught me a lot about business and being a good human,” Goldstein said. Goldstien's mother made she sure was a responsible and studious kid. Goldstien's mother was an addict but has since recovered from her addiction. The two are close and are working on growth together, Goldstien said. Jac's Cleaning Service owner Jacqueline Goldstein looking through cleaning supplies. 'I wanted my kids to be proud of me' Goldstein had her daughter Isis Rojas, at 18, but still graduated from Norwich Free Academy. Goldstein had her son Eric Pabon, at 21. Isis and Eric were why she wanted to “level up” in life, she said. Now Rojas, 19, is one of Goldstein’s employees, working part time and “doing her own thing," she said. “She doesn’t want to be tied down to being a housecleaner,” Goldstein said. “When she wants to earn extra money, I’ll have jobs that suit her schedule, and she does great.”Rojas and Pabon are responsible like their mother. Advice Unfulfilling work can be a “poison” that affects family, friends, and how you think about life. Potential entrepreneurs feeling this way should “bet on themselves,” Goldstein said. “If you don’t invest in yourself, no one else will,” she said. “If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.” To start a business, you need research, a plan, and a leap of faith. Networking may replace seeing friends and nights out, but anyone committed enough can break free from the 9-to-5, Goldstein said. “If you want to do it, do it,” she said. “Buckle down and focus on yourself.” People should adapt and change, and not be a product of their environment, Goldstein said. Keep moving forward The cousin that told Goldstein to not start her business has since passed away in a car crash. Goldstein said it taught her to pursue goals now, since unexpected things can happen. “It furthers my grind and hustle, because tomorrow is not promised, so go for it today” she said. Goldstein isn’t satisfied with where she is in life yet, but that’s a good thing, she said. Jac's Cleaning Service employee Fransisco Osorio Lobos in the middle of cleaning a kitchen. “When you get comfortable, you have to make yourself uncomfortable in order to grow,” Goldstein said.