Today we’d like to introduce you to Poiette Noel.
Hi Poiette, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
After graduating from college in 2007, I had dreams of securing a federal government job in the Washington, DC area. My college internship offered me my first full-time salaried position in Philadelphia for a city agency that was partially funded by the federal government. This pushed my drive even more to secure a government job. After a little less than 2 years working for the city agency, I put my job search in overdrive and applied to over 150 jobs online.
I was finally invited for an interview with a small black-owned consulting company in Washington, DC that did government contracting. Several interviews later and a trip to DC, I was hired! I was on an 18-month contract with a huge government agency and quickly relocated to the Washington, DC area in 2009. Unbeknownst to me, this 18-month contract would eventually turn into a full-time government position at the end of my contract. My dream to work for the government finally came true. I was also doing work that was fulfilling and meaningful to me. In 11 years, I have worked in multiple positions in my agency, got to travel to Africa for 2 months, and got to work on many projects and initiatives that contributed to the success of my agency and my career.
In January 2020, I was in a Facebook group that promoted entrepreneurship and started service-based businesses. Entrepreneurship had been something I was exposed to at a very young age as my mother has owned her own business since I was a child. It seemed like something I could be successful with so I went ahead and took the risk. I was in a 1-month cohort that taught us everything from building a website for our business, hiring staff, and obtaining customers. I launched No More Dust Maid Services officially on February 29, 2020. Every day since February 29th, I’ve worked diligently on building my business and growing. Shortly after opening, COVID-19 placed everyone on lockdown by the end of March. I then had to come up with a plan to continue this business.
I quickly pivoted and started to offer COVID-19 disinfecting services as well as grocery delivery services. Business continued to grow. Then something happened in May of 2020 that would forever change the trajectory of No More Dust Maid Services. George Floyd, a black man was unjustly killed by police. Things in America got intense as we had to accept the death of another black man at the hands of the police. In addition to major protests and unrest throughout the country, there was a huge uptick in the support and patronizing of black-owned businesses. We saw business jump almost 200% as a result of the current state of affairs. From that point on, we’ve continued to grow at an exponential rate. My company went from 2-3 cleaning teams in 2020 to now 10 teams in 2021.
Our 20-30 bookings per month in 2020 have now jumped to 20-30 bookings per week in 2021. As we’ve continued to grow, my main focus has been on providing a healthy work environment where my staff can make a livable wage as well as providing top-notch customer service to our customers. This business has taught me so much about what it means to be consistent and focused as well as practicing excellent leadership skills. Additionally, being a woman and person of color has brought me an extra sense of fulfillment as I am able to provide a consistent well paying job and wages for the women on my staff. To be able to provide opportunities for women to provide for their families is something I don’t take lightly and have an extreme pride about.
To be able to start a business from scratch and watch it flourish is something that I don’t take for granted. I have major plans for my business to expand to other cities in the US as well as start a non-profit sector that will provide resources for and support women who’ve just given birth to transitioning back to the workforce. In April of 2021, I was reminded of the huge gap in America when it comes to paid maternity leave and returning to work. One of my staff members was concerned about telling me about her pregnancy because she did not want to lose her job.
It was something that took me by surprise as I hadn’t even realized how many women have to hide their pregnancy from their employer due to lack of support in place with most US employers and maternity leave. As a result, I’m making it my duty to offer resources and financial assistance for women who do not get paid when they are out on maternity leave as part of my nonprofit sector.
I’m looking forward to all the possibilities that No More Dust Maid Services will bring in the future and the impact we will make on the local community and women of color.
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 – the first COVID-19 hit the US shortly after we launched.
Alternatively, putting good systems and processes in place to sustain as a business always requires a lot of leg work. We’ve gone through staffing changes in the first year and have finally got to a place where we have a solid staff in place. Some other struggles were figuring out pricing, pay structure, etc which are a major part of most service-based businesses.
Additionally, there are times with customers, and working with them can be a struggle and you have to learn how to adjust and not take things personally.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am most proud of my ability to multitask and exceed at everything I put my hands on. In addition to my government job and cleaning business, I also host intimate dinner parties for friends ever so often where I do all the décor and provide an amazing experience for my guests.
What sets me apart from others is my ability to stay focused and consistent on the task at hand. There are not many people who can outwork me and one thing I’m going to do is finish!
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Definitely my ability to work hard consistently, figure things out, problem solve, help others, give things my all. My work ethics are something I get from both my parents and don’t take lightly. Being able to work hard and see the results is always my main goal.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.nmdmaidservices.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/nmdmaidservices
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoMoreDustMaidServices
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/nomoredustmaid1
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh0NcYxLVeF9c6IIXJOmJOQ
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/no-more-dust-maid-services-washington
