Today, we’d like to introduce you to Vicky Bates.
Hi Vicky, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My business began when I was a “stay home” mom at the time to my 2-year-old daughter whose dad lost his job so I just knew I needed to help with our family’s income. I had always loved cleaning when I was in college cleaning for a couple of my professors at the time to assist with my tuition.
So again, I thought this would be a good time to revisit cleaning & wow, I am sure glad I did. Prior to being a mom, my degree was in Family and Consumer Sciences with a little marketing mingled in which assisted me in my next decision of hiring others. Fast-forward 28 years, my daughter is now our Business Manager and is herself, a “stay home” mom with her 2 little ones while working from her desktop for Maid in America.
Several milestones have happened along the way beginning with the service area of just one small city to now over 12 and growing. We have, since our humble beginnings, implemented the use of all-natural, non-toxic cleaning products, rather than the common toxic household cleaners, This decision was made just 8 years ago when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
My journey soon became an education in the influences environmental factors have on your health. I dedicated an entire blog to explaining it in a nutshell… https://maidinamericaga.com/how-breast-cancer-changed-the-way-i-do-cleaning/ & many might find it surprising that “… 80% of breast cancers are related directly to environmental influences.”
Thankfully, I am a strong and thriving survivor which led to another milestone. Two years after my diagnosis I began donating free cleanings to patients going through cancer treatment through a partnership with the famous non-profit organization called Cleaning for a Reason. I love to share this with our communities in hopes that we might be able to help someone in need so here is that information as well… https://maidinamericaga.com/helping-cancer-patients/.
Cleaning from the trunk of my own car for just family & friends’ homes has evolved into more than just residential cleaning. We have expanded in the commercial/office cleaning spaces ranging from 1000 square feet to over 40,000 square feet.
It has been the strong support of all my loving family, friends, clients & community affiliations that has inspired me along the way to rise above mediocre to excellence as lived out in our company’s mission statement which is the Golden Rule in the round…”Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, through Excellence, Integrity & Compassion.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Having a successful business for 28 years does not come without the ups and downs, the scrapes & bruises, but they have all been teachable moments.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a female business owner & especially as a breast cancer survivor, I have become mostly known for my own experience and my passion for helping others going through a health crisis. My own company branding has adopted my heart’s desire for what pink & green represent. Pink for the survivors & green for providing a healthier cleaning environment not only for my clients but for my employees.
Also, because I hire only the best to represent our hearts, my clients feel that love and talk about us to others. My employees and clients KNOW that we truly care because we actually strive to do as Jesus would do by representing the Golden Rule in our actions.
Lastly, so many in my industry are not being responsible in caring for their workers as employees, but are cutting corners by hiring Sub-Contractors. We do not hire subs because they represent themselves instead of a company and we want our clients to know that they are important and that we will only hire the best who are trained our way!
My own profit margin is less because I take excellent care of our employees so they can take excellent care of my clients. We pay our employees higher than our competition & have a stronger employee retention rate because of that fact.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I always encourage folks who are looking for a cleaning company to be educated when making their decision on whom they will hire with these questions…
1-Do they have several high Google reviews, not just a handful?
2-Do they perform national background checks on their employees? Are they employees or subcontractors?
3-Will they provide a frequent performance/feedback system (to the client) for the service provided?
4-Do they know who will be coming to their home/business & will they not be allowed to bring children or non-authorized persons with them (this happens a lot & it is a liability)?
5-What kind of cleaning products are provided? Can the client provide their own vacuum or toilet brush to prevent cross-contamination?
6-Do they have liability insurance as well as Worker’s comp and bonding?
These are all very important questions to ask!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://maidinamericaga.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wecleancorners
