Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Michelle Spitzer, Franchise Owner of MaidPro, located in Naples, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am in the business of improving the quality of our clients' lives by taking care of the "dirty work" so they don't have to. My business provides home and office cleaning. My customers are working professionals, the elderly, those who may be recovering from an illness or injury, parents, retired, or just may want to delegate out their household chores.
Tell us about yourself
Owner of the Top Revenue Producing Office of MaidPro out of 250 franchises throughout the United States and Canada since 1999. I moved to Naples, Florida, in 1995 to enroll in the business management program at Hodges University to obtain my bachelor's degree. While attending college, I decided to clean houses independently to earn extra money. My instructor Dr. Gene Landrum (who was the founder of Chucky Cheese), gave me a homework assignment to write a business plan. This inspired me to turn my homework assignment into a reality. Michelle's Classy Cleaning was formed. As my business grew, I realized that I needed to further enhance my business systems and further develop the infrastructure to take my business to the next level. I then had an opportunity to convert Michelle's Classy Cleaning into part of a National Franchise being MaidPro.
What inspired me is my mission statement. MaidPro is a lot more than just an average cleaning company. MaidPro is in the business of improving the quality of people's lives. We may help an elderly person live in their home unassisted longer. We may brighten someone's day who is lonely. We may help someone who is recovering from an illness or injury who is unable to take care of their household chores. We may help a working parent by taking care of their household chores and reducing their stress. There are so many reasons we help our clients. The stories I hear inspire me every day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is growing my business to a multi-million dollar company and being a Top Revenue Producing Franchise.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
There are always ups and downs in business. Some of the hardest things I had to go through was the recession from 2007 to 2009. I had to make some significant adjustments financially to run my business. The next hardest thing we had to go through was when Covid hit. This was a scary time with shutdowns and stay-at-home orders, although we were considered an essential service. Currently, we are challenged with labor shortages. In business, you have to be prepared to make adjustments and weather the storms.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Never give up.
- Be flexible and be prepared to make adjustments.
- Have an extraordinary amount of determination, and you will succeed.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.maidpro.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaidProSouthwestFL
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maidproswfl/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaidProNaples
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-spitzer-ab272113/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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