Today we’d like to introduce you to D’Nai Walker
Hi D’Nai, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I moved to Maryland back in 2008 by myself with no job in place, but figured i could find something since I knew how to bartend. I was right! I started working at a small restaurant in the evenings and looked for a full-time job during the day.
After working in sales for various high-profile liquor and coffee brands for 10 years, I was ready for a change. After being laid off (and fired) I knew I had to make the jump into starting my own business. I’ve always enjoyed helping people, but wasn’t sure how I could turn that into a business. Then one day, I was watching “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo” on Netflix and decided to declutter my apartment.
I loved the process of letting go of things that didn’t “spark joy” and soon started picking up gigs through an app similar to Task Rabbit. I was able to gain some repeat clientele and soon decided to establish a REAL company.
I launched my business, D’Clutter by D’Nai, by building a website and marketing on Nextdoor. While I initially struggled to generate consistent income, I decided to supplement my earnings with a full-time sales job. Looking back, I believe this experience was valuable, even though I eventually left the sales job to focus entirely on my business.
Now I have the opportunity to help not only busy professionals looking for more functional spaces, but also those with mobility limitations, decision-making challenges, and people completely stressed out during a pending move.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was certainly NOT a smooth road. There were months when I had to pull from my savings to cover my expenses and deal with challenging clients, I also decided to become sober during this time, which presented its own set of challenges that I was not expecting!
As you know, we’re big fans of D’Clutter by D’Nai. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
As a professional organizer and relocation manager, I help busy people create more functional home spaces. This can include anything from decluttering unwanted items and organizing the closet so they can save time in the morning, to helping seniors downsize now that their kids are grown.
Many people don’t realize how emotional letting go of your personal items can be, so I am there to help guide my clients through the process and be a voice of reason when they need it. I think it takes someone with a balance of empathy and realism to do well in this type of field. Every home I visit is different and people have different communication styles, so being able to pivot in a way that they understand is essential.
My services go beyond organizing spaces. I also try to provide tips on wellness and productivity through my newsletter, Space & Mind Matters. Plus, I do my best to refer other small businesses that would benefit my clientele.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Being a helper is top of my core values. Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers) has a quote, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” That always stuck with me and I want to be one of those helpers.
In addition to my own business, I volunteer with an organization called Deep Launching which helps provide resources to homeless and low-income people.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dclutterbydnai.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dclutterbydnai/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/d-clutter-by-d-nai-rockville-2
- Other: https://spaceandmindmatters.substack.com/
