Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Ellis-Breden.
Hi Victoria, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m 28 years old and a resident of Akron. I’m a wife and fur momma to two dogs and a bunny. I am currently studying to become a pastor & developing leadership skills. A lover of reading, kayaking & Jesus.
I was a cleaning lady for 5 years, sick of the mundane feeling I had getting up for work every day… fast forward to 2020, and COVID had just begun. My clientele at the company was dwindling more and more & I could no longer support myself with my once bountiful job.
A few short months before, in October 2019, I decided to attend a church in Akron. Not my thing at the time & the first time in my adult life, I chose to go to church. Compass North Church changed my life – December 2019, I asked the Lord into my heart & in February 2020, I was baptized by the Holy Spirit.
I knew in my heart that I was not following my calling and asked the Lord to guide my steps. Taking us to May 2020, I decided on the 28th day that I had simply had enough. I stayed up all night filing paperwork and making my logo and business name. In one night, through a ton of prayer and dedication, Nifty Neat Professional Cleaning and Organization was born.
Now, four years later, I am abundantly blessed with this business. Nifty Neat has provided me more opportunities and growth than I could have ever imagined. It’s provided me with financial blessings and security.
This has led me to being able to be on volunteer staff at my local church each week while still running my business. I am beyond amazement at what the Lord can do and provide when you lean in and listen.
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?
A smooth road? What’s that? I’m totally kidding, but my goodness – no, it has not. I am a smaller stature woman, which leads most people to see me as much younger than I am. Women are gaining more traction in the entrepreneurial fields, but it’s still very one-sided and hard to be a woman entrepreneur. I also started my business with what I had left over from my previous job, and that was not very much. A big leap of faith! I also have a very, what I like to call, luxury expense type business. When someone needs to save money, the first thing they cut from their budget is usually my company. That makes it challenging, too.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
I specialize in residential cleanings & realtor listings. I am most known for providing professional cleaning services with a personalized touch. You come home to not only a clean home, but it feels MORE homey than when you left. I am set apart from others because I am trustworthy, respectful, and diligent. I am most proud of being able to step into another’s home and mesh with the families. Providing them a service while being able to love them the way Jesus would have. I want people to know that I am currently expanding and growing & I do this all on my own so grace is appreciated. I would also like them to know that I am running a spring cleaning sale from March through June for spring cleanings, and they do not want to miss these savings.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I learned that it is important to make your clientele feel safe in their homes. That we would provide whatever was needed to allow for us to clean their homes but remain healthy. I also learned that it’s important to not rely on anything other than God because, at one point, I had nothing but hope and prayer to lean on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://msha.ke/niftyneat
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nifty_neat?igsh=MWE0b3dpemRvcXlveA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NiftyNeat139?mibextid=uzlsIk
Image Credits
Jonathan Hadinger
