Today we’d like to introduce you to Kamilah Broadway.
Hi Kamilah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story is one of resilience, transformation, love, ambition, and learning to embrace every version of myself along the way.
I was born in Arkansas and raised in Dallas, Texas, but my journey began a little differently than most. My birth mother gave me up at the hospital, and I was partially raised by her second cousin. My childhood came with challenges that forced me to grow up much faster than any child should have to. But even during those early years, there was a part of me that always knew who I was, even when the world around me didn’t quite understand.
One of the most beautiful turning points in my life came during my early teenage years when I was welcomed into a loving Mexican immigrant family. At a time when I needed love, stability, and acceptance, they opened their hearts and home to me. For the first time, I experienced what it truly meant to have a mother, a father, siblings, and eventually the joy of becoming a tía.
Their love changed my life, and that love remains just as strong today. It’s also why immigration is something I view through such a personal lens. These were people who had their own challenges and uncertainties, yet they chose to embrace a child who needed a family. They didn’t have to, but they did. They gave me more than a home. They gave me a sense of belonging, a beautiful culture to embrace, and an understanding of what unconditional love can look like.
At just 14 years old, I became legally emancipated through a special exception. While many teenagers were focused on school, friendships, and discovering themselves, I was learning how to navigate adulthood. I worked to support myself, pay for extracurricular activities, and pursue my education. Independence became a part of my identity early on, and although it wasn’t always easy, those experiences helped shape my determination, work ethic, and belief that I could create opportunities for myself.
Throughout my journey, friendship has been one of my greatest blessings. My best friend Evan has been by my side since my Dallas days. He’s truly my day one, someone who has witnessed so many different chapters of my life and remained a constant source of love, encouragement, and inspiration. He’s shown me what genuine friendship means, not just celebrating the beautiful moments, but standing beside someone through the difficult ones, too. I admire him deeply, and his friendship is something I’ll never take for granted.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve also experienced healing and reconciliation with my biological family, including reconnecting with my birth mother. Although we don’t see each other often, I carry love for everyone who has been part of my journey. I’ve learned that healing doesn’t always mean changing the past. Sometimes it means finding peace with it.
I eventually moved to California, where I experienced some of the most transformative years of my life. It was a chapter filled with personal growth, discovery, and learning to understand myself on a deeper level. California helped me develop confidence, independence, and a greater vision for the woman I wanted to become.
But moving to Austin, Texas, opened an entirely new chapter.
Austin became more than just a place to call home. It became a place where I found the courage and freedom to come out as a transgender woman and begin living openly in my honest truth. From a very young age, I knew myself as a girl, but being in Austin helped me finally embrace that truth outwardly, unapologetically, and with pride.
A huge part of that transformation has been the incredible friendships I’ve built here. My close friends in Austin have played such a meaningful role in my healing, personal growth, and exploration of womanhood. They’ve created spaces where I can be vulnerable, feminine, confident, emotional, and simply myself without feeling the need to explain or defend who I am.
For me, transitioning has been about so much more than physical changes. It’s been an emotional and spiritual journey of rediscovering myself, embracing my softness, and learning that I can be both strong and vulnerable. My friends have celebrated me, encouraged me, and reminded me that I deserve to take up space in this world exactly as I am. I love them deeply, and I believe some of the most beautiful healing happens through the people who make us feel safe enough to be ourselves.
One of those people is my best friend, Lexa Escamilla, who is also my business partner and cofounder of K&L Services Group LLC.
K&L represents so much more than a cleaning and services company to us. It’s a reflection of two women who started from ground zero, carrying our own experiences, personal struggles, faith, and dreams of creating something greater for ourselves.
Lexa and I understand each other on a level that’s difficult to put into words. Although our journeys have been different, there’s a connection and understanding between us that has allowed us to find strength in one another. Somewhere along the way, we saw a light that led us toward an opportunity to grow, build, and shine together.
With over eight years of experience in the cleaning industry, spanning residential homes, Airbnb properties, hotels, and commercial spaces, we’ve learned what it means to physically do the work, take pride in every detail, and build something from the ground up.
Today, we’re evolving from being the women doing the cleaning ourselves to becoming the women overseeing operations, building relationships, managing teams, and creating opportunities for others. That transition represents both our personal and professional growth.
We often refer to K&L as our baby because we’ve poured so much love, faith, sacrifice, and determination into bringing it to life. Our motto, More Than Clean, carries a deeper meaning because this business has always represented more than the services we provide. It’s a foundation for the future we’re creating and a stepping stone toward even greater dreams.
My professional experiences have also taken me through real estate, property operations, procurement, vendor relations, and business development. Each chapter has taught me something about leadership, relationships, and the courage it takes to turn a vision into reality.
Now I’m preparing for another exciting entrepreneurial chapter with my next venture, Blend Ritual. It’s a passion project inspired by my belief in the beautiful things God and nature have given us and the importance of nourishing ourselves and healing from within. I’m keeping the details close to my heart for now, but I’m incredibly excited about what this next chapter represents.
Beyond business, I’m passionate about traveling, experiencing different cultures, connecting with people, and continuing to discover who I am. One of my biggest personal dreams is to move abroad, possibly to Colombia or Spain, to immerse myself in the culture and become fluent in Spanish. That dream carries special meaning because of the Mexican family who helped raise me and the cultural connection they’ve given me.
As I write this, I’m actually sitting in Spain, thousands of miles from home, feeling more inspired than ever. Being here has reminded me how much more there is to life, how much of the world I have yet to experience, and how important it is to continue dreaming beyond what feels familiar.
Sometimes I reflect on the little girl who had to become independent at just 14 years old, who faced challenges she never should have had to face, and who simply wanted to be loved, accepted, and free to be herself.
Today, that little girl has grown into a woman who is building businesses, traveling the world, embracing her identity, and creating a future filled with possibilities.
I’m still healing, still learning, still evolving, and still discovering new parts of myself. I’ve come to understand that success isn’t simply measured by financial accomplishments, but by the freedom to live authentically, love deeply, inspire others, and create something meaningful.
I’ve also learned that we don’t become who we are entirely on our own. From the Mexican family who welcomed me as their daughter, to Evan’s unwavering friendship, to Lexa and the beautiful friendships I’ve developed in Austin, I’ve been blessed to experience love in so many different forms.
If there’s one thing I hope people take away from my story, it’s that your beginning does not have to determine your ending. You can come from difficult circumstances and still build a beautiful life. You can reinvent yourself, embrace change, and pursue dreams that once seemed impossible.
And as I sit here in Spain, reflecting on how far I’ve come, I’m reminded that my story is far from over.
I’m no longer just imagining the life I deserve. I’m actively creating it, one beautiful chapter at a time.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the greatest challenges I’ve faced throughout my life has been learning how to balance the strength I developed through survival with the softness I’ve always wanted to embrace.
Growing up, I experienced mental, physical, and sexual abuse during some of the most vulnerable years of my childhood. Some of those experiences were connected to my identity and the fact that, even as a young child, I knew myself as a girl. Being different in environments where I wasn’t always understood or accepted came with challenges that no child should have to navigate.
Becoming legally emancipated at just 14 years old meant learning how to survive independently before I had the opportunity to fully experience being a child. I had responsibilities, financial pressures, and decisions to make that most teenagers wouldn’t face until much later in life.
For years, I wore my independence almost like armor. I learned how to be strong, how to protect myself, and how to keep moving forward even when things were difficult. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that constantly being strong can sometimes make it difficult to let people in, trust others, or allow myself to be vulnerable.
Part of my healing journey has been learning that I don’t always have to be in survival mode. I can be independent and still receive love. I can be strong and still be soft.
Another significant part of my journey has been navigating life as a Black transgender woman in Texas.
Living authentically in a world where people sometimes form opinions about you before getting to know you comes with its own challenges. Being Black, being transgender, and being a woman are all parts of my identity that I carry with pride, but I also recognize that these identities can influence how I’m perceived, treated, and given opportunities.
Coming out and beginning my transition in Austin was incredibly liberating, but it also required courage. There is a vulnerability that comes with allowing the world to see you as you truly are, especially when you know that not everyone will understand or accept you.
I’ve had to learn how to navigate unfamiliar spaces, establish boundaries, advocate for myself, and remain confident in who I am without allowing other people’s perceptions to determine my worth.
That experience has also carried over into entrepreneurship.
Stepping into the world of blue collar entrepreneurship as two women has been an experience of its own. Industries like commercial cleaning, construction related services, contracting, and property operations have traditionally been dominated by men, and establishing ourselves in those spaces has required confidence, persistence, and a willingness to stand firm in our abilities.
Lexa and I have missed out on opportunities simply because we’re women. And being a Black transgender woman adds another layer to that experience. There’s no sugarcoating the fact that some men may feel uncomfortable working with someone like me, whether that comes from unfamiliarity, personal beliefs, or preconceived ideas about who belongs in certain professional spaces.
But I also believe it’s important to tell the entire story.
Those experiences have represented a relatively small percentage of the people we’ve encountered. For every door that hasn’t opened, we’ve found others that have. We’ve received far more yeses than noes, and we’ve had the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with people who recognize our professionalism, experience, and dedication.
I don’t want to overlook the incredible men, business owners, contractors, and clients who have welcomed us, respected our leadership, and given us opportunities to prove ourselves. Their support has been an important part of our growth.
What I’ve learned is that I don’t need everyone to understand my identity to recognize my value as a businesswoman. I deserve to be treated with respect, and I believe the quality of our work, our character, and the relationships we build speak for themselves.
I also refuse to believe that being feminine means I have to be less assertive or less capable. I can embrace my womanhood, lead with compassion, negotiate contracts, oversee operations, and stand confidently in spaces where women haven’t always been equally represented.
Building K&L Services Group LLC alongside my best friend and business partner, Lexa Escamilla, has brought its own set of challenges. Starting from the ground up means wearing multiple hats, making sacrifices, navigating uncertainty, and learning lessons that no classroom can fully prepare you for.
We’ve experienced moments of doubt, frustration, and exhaustion, but we’ve also experienced the beauty of seeing our hard work turn into opportunities. Our friendship, faith, and belief in what we’re creating have helped us continue moving forward.
One of the greatest lessons we’ve learned is that rejection is sometimes part of entrepreneurship, but it doesn’t have to determine our direction. We focus on opportunities that align with our values, people who believe in our vision, and relationships that allow us to grow.
At the end of the day, we’re not asking for special treatment. We’re asking to be recognized for our experience, our work ethic, and the value we bring to the table. And thankfully, we’ve encountered far more people willing to give us that opportunity than people who haven’t.
I also recognize that entrepreneurship isn’t just about creating opportunities for myself. I want to help create spaces where other women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people from backgrounds that are often overlooked can see themselves represented in leadership and business ownership.
I want someone who may feel different, underestimated, or uncertain about their future to understand that they don’t have to fit into someone else’s expectations to build something meaningful.
Through everything, one of my greatest personal challenges has been learning how to unmask and let people see the softer parts of me. When you’ve spent much of your life protecting yourself, vulnerability can feel unfamiliar. But I’ve come to understand that allowing myself to be loved, supported, and understood is just as important as being able to stand on my own.
Today, I approach challenges differently. I try to see them as opportunities to learn, grow, and become more intentional about the life I’m creating. I lean on my faith, the people who love me, and the understanding that I don’t have to have everything figured out to keep moving forward.
I don’t want my life to be defined solely by what I’ve overcome. I want it to be defined by what I’ve created, the people I’ve loved, the opportunities I’ve embraced, and the doors I hope to open for others.
I’m proud to be a Black transgender woman. I’m proud to be an entrepreneur. And I’m proud that I can embrace my femininity without compromising my ambition, my leadership, or my place in the world.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
K&L Services Group LLC is an Austin based cleaning and property services company founded on a simple belief: exceptional service goes beyond simply completing a job. It’s about building relationships, earning trust, and taking pride in the spaces and communities we serve.
I’m the founder of K&L, and I proudly operate the company alongside my best friend and cofounder, Lexa Escamilla. Our business was built from the ground up through years of hands on experience, shared ambition, faith, and a genuine passion for creating something meaningful together.
Between us, we bring over eight years of experience across residential cleaning, Airbnb and short term rental turnovers, hospitality, commercial facilities, and property services. We’ve experienced the work firsthand, from preparing homes for families to maintaining properties and supporting businesses with their cleaning needs. That foundation has given us a unique perspective on quality, consistency, and what clients truly expect from a professional service provider.
Today, K&L specializes in residential and commercial cleaning, deep cleaning, move in and move out services, Airbnb turnovers, post construction cleaning, and property make ready services. We also collaborate with professionals in complementary trades, including HVAC, flooring, painting, and renovations, allowing us to help connect clients with a broader range of property service solutions.
What sets us apart is our personal understanding of the work and our commitment to relationships. We’re not business owners who entered the industry without knowing what happens behind the scenes. We’ve physically done the work, experienced the challenges, and learned what it takes to deliver results that clients can feel confident about.
That experience shapes how we approach every project, from communicating with clients and coordinating services to overseeing quality control and building reliable teams.
Our motto, More Than Clean, represents our philosophy. We believe that a clean and well maintained environment can make a meaningful difference in someone’s home, business, or investment property. We want our clients to feel that they’re receiving more than a completed service. They’re receiving professionalism, care, reliability, and a team that genuinely values their trust.
One of our proudest accomplishments has been the evolution of our roles within the company. We began by performing the physical work ourselves, and we’re now transitioning into overseeing operations, managing service teams, developing partnerships, and expanding our client relationships.
That growth represents something much bigger than a change in responsibilities. It reflects our development as entrepreneurs and our commitment to building a company that can create opportunities beyond ourselves.
Lexa and I bring complementary strengths to our partnership. She plays an essential role in operations, execution, and quality control, while I focus on business development, strategic relationships, and the overall direction of the company. Together, we’re continuing to develop the systems, partnerships, and foundation needed for long term growth.
We’re especially proud to be building a woman owned and LGBTQ+ owned business in an industry where leadership has traditionally been dominated by men. We hope our journey encourages other women and aspiring entrepreneurs to recognize that their experiences, determination, and work ethic can become the foundation of something extraordinary.
As we look toward the future, our vision is to continue strengthening our presence in Austin, expanding into additional Texas markets, and developing long lasting relationships with residential clients, commercial businesses, property managers, and industry professionals.
But beyond growth, what matters most to us is the reputation we’re building. We want K&L to be known as a company that stands behind its work, values its clients, treats people with respect, and consistently strives to exceed expectations.
K&L is something we affectionately call our baby because we’ve poured so much of our hearts into building it. Every opportunity, every challenge, and every relationship has contributed to its growth.
We’re not simply building a cleaning company. We’re building a foundation for opportunity, independence, and a legacy that represents everything we’ve worked to become.
That’s what More Than Clean means to us.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
When I think about my favorite childhood memories, my heart immediately goes back to the beautiful moments I shared with my Mexican family. It wasn’t necessarily one particular day, but the countless celebrations, laughter, food, and memories that made me feel like I belonged somewhere.
Our backyard was practically the heart of the family. We celebrated everything! Birthdays, graduations, engagements, milestones, or honestly, anything we could find a reason to celebrate. My family knew how to turn an ordinary gathering into something magical. Our backyard would transform into a completely different themed event space for every occasion. No two celebrations ever looked the same, and there was always so much love, laughter, music, and food bringing everyone together.
My papá knew how to throw down on the grill, and my mamá made the absolute best salsa verde con aguacate, always accompanied by rice and beans. To this day, I can almost taste those meals just thinking about them. Food was such a big part of how we celebrated, connected, and showed love to one another.
Another memory I cherish is our trips to the lagoon in Oklahoma. We’d spend time enjoying the outdoors, eating my mamá’s amazing tinga de pollo, and simply having fun. Those were the moments when I got to just be a kid, playing with friends, laughing, and enjoying life without having to worry about everything else.
I also cherish the everyday experiences that helped me grow. My older sister taught me how to drive, and my papá helped me build the confidence to drive longer distances. Those may seem like simple milestones, but they meant so much to me. They were moments when my family invested their time, patience, and love into helping me become more independent.
Beyond those memories, my family instilled values in me that I continue to carry into adulthood. They taught me the importance of having a strong work ethic, managing my finances wisely, staying focused on my goals, and understanding that accomplishing something meaningful takes dedication and perseverance.
Looking back, I can see how much those lessons influenced the woman and entrepreneur I am today. They didn’t just tell me to work hard or dream big. They helped me understand the responsibility and discipline that come with building the life you want.
And what makes all of these memories even more special is how I became part of this family in the first place.
It all started with my brother, Gaspar. We became best friends as kids, and through him, I was introduced to his family and our circle of friends. I started spending more and more time at their house until his parents began wondering about my whereabouts and my family situation. As they learned more about my circumstances, they made the decision to take me in.
What began as a friendship between two kids eventually gave me a mother, a father, siblings, and a family who would change my life forever.
Looking back, those backyard celebrations, family meals, trips to Oklahoma, driving lessons, and afternoons playing with friends were about so much more than having fun. They gave me the opportunity to experience a childhood filled with moments of joy, belonging, guidance, and unconditional love.
I think that’s why those memories mean so much to me today. After everything I had experienced growing up, being surrounded by people who genuinely loved me gave me something I didn’t always know I needed: the freedom to simply be a child.
And even now, years later, that love remains.
Sometimes the most beautiful memories aren’t about where you went or what you had. They’re about the people who made you feel like you were finally home, and the lessons they gave you that continue to shape your future.
Pricing:
- Residential Cleaning: Customized quotes based on property size and cleaning needs.
- Commercial Cleaning: Tailored pricing for offices, businesses, and commercial properties.
- Airbnb & Short Term Rental Turnovers: Pricing based on property size, turnover requirements, and service frequency.
- Deep Cleaning & Move In/Move Out Services: Individual estimates based on property condition and scope.
- Post Construction & Property Make Ready Services: Project based estimates for residential and commercial properties.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://klservicegroup.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k_l_services_group_llc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GAYVqYc4M/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamilah-broadway-a1240436b
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/kweenkamilah93
