People’s Champion finalist 2018: Helen’s Domestic Goddess

Start-up name: Helen’s Domestic Goddess
Founders: Helen Brown
Started in: 2016
Based in: Maidstone
Business description: A local cleaning company focused on regular or one-off domestic clients, plus carpet and oven cleans.

Shortlisted categories:

Side Hustle of the Year

The Helen’s Domestic Goddess story:

Having spurned university and overcome bullying following some difficult times at school, Helen Brown is making her domestic cleaning business into a mini-empire.

The trail of sparkling ovens and pristine carpets she’s creating across homes in Kent are evidence that her side hustle is paying off.

It was volunteering at the London Olympics and Paralympics in 2012 followed by the Commonwealth Games in 2014 that inadvertently changed the direction of her career path.

Feeling she could do something productive, Brown took jobs at events and festivals, which led her into the hospitality market. And it was while working at a pub she was shocked at the state of cleanliness.

Inspired by her father’s gardening maintenance business she enrolled on the Prince’s Trust Business Enterprise Program through her local job centre. Taught the basics of running her own business and how to manage her own finances, she soon got Helen’s Domestic Goddess off the ground.

Carpets followed ovens and today her deep sense of satisfaction at her business achievements to date almost match the deep cleans her customers are relying on her for.

Why Helen’s Domestic Goddess made our shortlist:

Helen story is an inspiration for those who haven’t had the easiest time at school and don’t necessarily have a life plan.

Bullied at school so much her A-Level results fell by the wayside, she has overcome adversity and redundancy to start to establish a business she’s passionate about.

Where to find out more about Helen’s Domestic Goddess:

Website: https://www.facebook.com/helensdomesticgoddess/