So here I am sitting in my brand new office space extremely excited... and extremely scared out of my wits!
It's been over three years since I started this journey and there has been so many ups and downs. From staffing issues, to finances, to getting the product just right.
When I began I had a vision of creating a company that could help two sets of persons.
On the one hand I wanted to provide a professional, reliable, quality cleaning company that could help meet the needs of busy working moms who couldn't seem to get it all done in one day. I wanted to provide cleaning, food preparation, laundry services and even care services for their loved ones. Freeing them to continue the climb up the corporate ladder as they met a need within themselves to create and pursue something outside of their family life.
On the other, I wanted to help a distinct class of women who found it difficult to earn a living to support themselves and their loved ones. Women whose lack of qualifications made it difficult for them to find an 8-4 job that they could go only Mondays to Fridays and have the weekend and evenings free for them to take care of their loved ones. Rather than being stuck in shift work, or working six or seven days a week to make ends meet.
Needless to say that has been harder than it looks.
Those same ones I have been trying to help have been also trying to help themselves. I have had clients solicit my staff to get the service cheaper. I have had staff solicit clients to see if they can get a better deal for themselves. And I understand this...I think. But each time it happens I feel very discouraged, because I pour so much of myself into recruiting and training staff, and into building relationships with clients. And I keep thinking, "What are you doing?! You're missing the big picture here!"
Still I press on. And it's been slow - but there has been progress.
Right now as I write all this I can see that we've grown and learned so much. Right now as I write all this I feel sad and discouraged as we have lost another staff and client. Right now as I write all this I wonder "Is it worth it?"
I have been using Joshua 1:9 as my inspiration: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
I even have a little token with the scripture given to me by one of my lecturers on my desk. And I glance at it at least 12 times per day. Still... it's hard being strong and courageous when you feel that no one but you sees the vision of what you're trying to build. It's hard being strong and courageous when you don't know if it's all going to work out.
