Conversations with Ayana Turner

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayana Turner.

Hi Ayana , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m the owner of A Touch of Murphy LLC, a commercial cleaning and construction cleanup company serving Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. My journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t something I planned, it was something I grew into through life, responsibility, and resilience.

At 20, I became a mother, and that experience shaped how I approached everything. It pushed me to think beyond just getting by and start building something stable for my family. I spent years working traditional jobs, including in healthcare as a medical assistant, while searching for a path that gave me more control over my future.

I started cleaning as a way to earn extra income, but it quickly turned into something bigger. I took pride in my work, paid attention to detail, and treated every space like it mattered because it did. Over time, I transitioned from smaller jobs into commercial cleaning and construction cleanup, taking on larger-scale projects like apartment turnovers, medical offices, and post-construction sites.

As the business grew, so did the responsibility. I learned how to price jobs, manage teams, handle contracts, and navigate the business side through real experience. One of my proudest accomplishments has been completing high-volume projects under tight deadlines, including cleaning hundreds of units within just a few weeks.

My personal life has also shaped who I am as a business owner. In addition to raising my own children, I spent years caring for a child who returned to her family in late 2025. That experience deepened my sense of responsibility, patience, and compassion qualities I carry into both my life and my work.

Recently, my family faced an unexpected challenge when our home was struck by lightning, forcing us to temporarily relocate. Moments like that don’t stop me, they remind me why I’m building something that creates stability and security.

Today, I’m focused on scaling my business, securing larger commercial and government contracts, and creating opportunities for others along the way. My story is still unfolding, but it’s rooted in resilience, consistency, and turning life’s responsibilities into something meaningful and lasting.

“I didn’t start with a plan, I started with responsibility. Everything I’ve built came from showing up, figuring it out, and refusing to give up.”

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all, it hasn’t been a smooth road, and I think that’s what shaped me the most.

Like many entrepreneurs, I started without a clear roadmap. I had to learn everything in real time, how to price jobs, manage teams, handle contracts, and navigate cash flow. One of the biggest challenges has been the financial side, especially with larger commercial projects that operate on delayed payments. There were times I had to cover payroll, supplies, and operations before seeing any money come in, which takes discipline and faith in what you’re building.

Another challenge has been balancing business with real life. I’m a mother first, and managing the demands of growing a company while raising my children hasn’t always been easy. There have been moments where I’ve had to push through exhaustion, figure things out on little sleep, and still show up fully for both my family and my clients.

I’ve also faced setbacks that were completely out of my control. Recently, my home was struck by lightning, forcing my family to temporarily relocate. Navigating that while continuing to run my business tested me in a different way, it wasn’t just about business anymore, it was about stability and staying grounded through uncertainty.

On the business side, there have been missed opportunities, bids that didn’t go through, and moments of self-doubt. Learning to not take those losses personally and instead use them as lessons has been a big part of my growth.

But every challenge has taught me something, how to adapt, how to lead, and how to keep going even when things feel uncertain. Looking back, I wouldn’t call it a smooth road, but I would call it a purposeful one.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m the owner of A Touch of Murphy LLC, specializing in commercial cleaning and construction cleanup throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. I focus on large-scale, detail-driven projects like apartment turnovers, medical offices, and post-construction sites.

I’m known for delivering consistent, high-quality results, especially under tight deadlines. I’ve successfully completed high-volume projects, including cleaning hundreds of units in a short timeframe, which takes strong organization, leadership, and attention to detail.

What I’m most proud of is building this business from the ground up while raising my family and growing into larger commercial opportunities.

What sets me apart is my hands-on approach and the pride I take in my work. I don’t just complete jobs, I make sure they’re done right. Clients know they can rely on me to show up, stay consistent, and deliver every time.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My biggest advice is to start before you feel ready and be willing to learn as you go. You’re not going to have everything figured out in the beginning, and that’s okay, experience will teach you what you need to know.

I also recommend understanding your numbers early. Pricing, expenses, and cash flow can make or break your business, especially when you start taking on bigger jobs with delayed payments. That’s something I had to learn the hard way.

Another important lesson is to stay consistent and protect your reputation. How you show up, how you communicate, and the quality of your work will speak for you long before anything else does.

If I could go back, I would tell myself to trust the process more and not second-guess every step. Growth takes time, and every challenge is part of building something solid.

Pricing:

• Pricing is tailored to each project to ensure quality and efficiency
• Large-scale and high-volume jobs are quoted per project based on scope and deadlines
• Construction cleanup pricing reflects detail level, debris removal, and finishing requirements
• Long-term contracts and recurring services include preferred client rates
• All estimates are provided after a walkthrough to ensure accuracy and transparency

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Atouchofmurphyllc.com