Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jennica Maxfield, Owner of An Extra Set of Hands, located in Chilliwack, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
An Extra Set of Hands is a cleaning and family assistance company giving families the gift of time through our many services.
Tell us about yourself
I was hired as a Jane-of-all-Trades for a family, doing a little cooking, a little cleaning, some errands, organization, and sometimes building Ikea furniture. Seeing the difference my service made in their family ignited a passion in me to help other families like theirs. I was a single mom of 4 at the time as well, and thinking back on how much the services I was offering would have helped me when my kids were young and I was drowning further fueled my motivation and passion for building the company into something great.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Three months ago, I was ready to shut down my company that I had spent the last 6 years building. After limping through the pandemic and barely surviving and then experiencing severe staffing shortages while I was still working hands-on and trying to keep the company running, I was exhausted and felt hopeless. I stuck it out, though, and rebuilt the company from the ground up. I fine-tuned my hiring process, promoted one of my amazing cleaners to the position of Team Manager, and turned everything around. We now have an abundance of incredible team members, and business is flooding in daily, without any advertising... simply by word of mouth. I am so proud of myself and my team!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The feeling of being completely alone in the journey as you're getting things off the ground. Knowing that EVERYTHING rests on your shoulders can be an incredible burden to bear.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- DON'T DO IT ALONE! Even if you're the only one starting, running, and building the business, there are supports available out there. Business networking groups, online groups, like-minded friends, and spouses. Having people to bounce ideas off of or vent to can make or break you as a business owner.
- LEARN HOW TO DELEGATE! You are only one person, and the sooner you start delegating tasks that you hate or aren't great at, the sooner you can step fully into your strengths and creativity to build the business of your dreams.
- DREAM BIG! You are limited only by your imagination, trust me.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.anextrasetofhands.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anextrasetofhandslowermainland
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anextrasetofhandslowermainland/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/an-extra-set-of-hands-inc/
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.