Name
Ramona Green
Age
36
Company/Organization
MonaCo Cleaning Services
What Does Your Company/Organization Do?
MonaCo Cleaning Services provides high-quality commercial, residential, and short-term rental property cleaning services throughout Southwest Michigan. In addition to our commitment to providing quality cleaning services, our mission is to create safe, inclusive, meaningful, and reliable job opportunities rooted in dignity, flexibility, and compassion. We prioritize our team’s mental health and work-life balance, and we treat our people as whole humans — not just employees. When team members feel seen and supported, they bring pride, care, and integrity to every space they clean. That’s how MonaCo serves clients — and how we grow with purpose.
Education
NA
Accomplishments
I built MonaCo Cleaning Services from the ground up. I’m proud of its success, but even more proud that it’s become a respected, community-centered company. Over the years, I’ve grown a great team, built strong client relationships, and developed a reputation for reliability, quality, and care. I’m most proud of creating a people-centered workplace culture that values respect, communication, and the well-being of both clients and employees. I’m also one of the founders of Forest of Light Nature Academy, a forest school rooted in outdoor, child-led learning and community connection. Our goal is to facilitate children into a deeper understanding of themselves through a deep understanding and connection to nature. But, my greatest accomplishment and most important job is being a mama to my sweet daughter, Coral.
What else do you hope to accomplish by the age of 40?
I want to continue growing as a leader — refining how I support my team and how I show up in my business. We have big plans for the future to expand beyond just offering cleaning services, with the goal of creating a greater impact in our community and in the way people experience work. The vision is rooted in supporting people, building healthier systems, and doing business with purpose.
Current City
Dowagiac Michigan
Place You Were Born
NA
What was your first job?
If allowance counts, I technically started my career cleaning my childhood home. But my first official paycheck came from Starbucks.
What’s the best advice you ever got?
It’s hard to choose a “best,” but something that always sticks with me is simple: just be. Be present. Be aware. Be grounded. Be me. And in doing all of that — be free.
Who inspires you most?
My community. I am blessed to be surrounded by people living authentically and always striving to be the best version of themselves.
That one thing about you we’d be most surprised to learn.
That I have professional training in vocal performance.
What do you love to do in your downtime?
Camping, being near water, singing with my friends, relaxing at the beach — anything that lets me slow down, be in nature and recharge.
What book are you reading now?
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Volunteer activity you love the most.
I currently volunteer with Forest of Light Nature Academy. It means a lot to support a program that helps kids connect with nature and build a relationship with the land. There’s something powerful about watching them learn outside in rhythm with the seasons and connect to themselves by connecting with the earth. MonaCo also supports various non-profit organizations in alignment with our company values by providing low to no cost cleaning services.
What motivates you to give back to your community?
My daughter is my biggest motivation. When I think about the world she’s inheriting, I feel a responsibility to actively shape a better future for her generation. I give back because I refuse to leave behind just another broken system. I’m working to build something sustainable across every level — emotional, environmental, economic, and spiritual. Through my business, I create work environments that treat people as whole human beings, and that helps strengthen the kind of community I want her and her peers to grow up in. I also believe in showing up for the broader communities that matter to me. MonaCo Cleaning Services is a multi-year sponsor of Dowagiac’s Music in the Park series. Music has always been a big part of my life, and I know how powerful it can be — to inspire, motivate, and bring people together. We also sponsor Forest of Light Nature Academy, an alternative education program rooted in outdoor, child-led learning. Most recently, we sponsored OutCenter of Southwest Michigan’s annual PrideFest, which gave us a meaningful opportunity to connect with and support the LGBTQ+ community in a values-aligned way.
What Superpower would you most love to have?
Teleportation — I love to travel and explore new places and the ability to do it in an instant and for free would be amazing!
What would you like to leave behind as your legacy once you are gone?
I want my legacy to be about showing up for people — elevating others, staying true to who I am, and becoming the best and highest version of myself. I hope to be remembered for treating people with dignity, leading from the heart, and creating space where others can flourish, not just survive. Being able to do that while also providing services that genuinely improve the lives and businesses of MonaCo’s clients — our slogan is “Clean is your happy place” — is just icing on the cake.
What does the honor of being named to the 40 Under 40 most mean to you?
It feels really meaningful to be recognized for the hard work I’ve put in over the years. I’ve never been someone who chases recognition, so being nominated — and selected — is genuinely surprising in the best way. I’m proud of what I’ve built and grateful that others see the value in it too.
