We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Danielle Patterson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Danielle below.
Danielle, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
My parents have played a pivotal role in helping me develop into a hardworking, God-fearing, and people-loving individual. As a millennial, I’ve always liked to stay busy, and after graduating from college with student loan debt, I began exploring various ways to earn an income. I picked up seasonal daytime work at Macy’s and FedEx while working full-time overnight at a dermatology practice.
Once the seasonal positions ended, I ventured onto a site called TaskRabbit. Back in 2014, TaskRabbit wasn’t as popular as it is now, but I discovered that I could sign up for jobs based on my skill set and set my own prices. Cleaning caught my attention as a category I could work in. I gradually gained a client or two, and those clients began to refer me to their friends and family. This side business became quite lucrative and significantly helped me with my student loan payments.
After acquiring a diverse array of clients, I felt it was time for a change of scenery. I had been having conversations with God about whether I should stay in New Jersey or head elsewhere to start a new chapter in my life. After attending a revival and reading my scripture, the Lord spoke to me and gently guided me to Maryland. I had to say goodbye to my clients, who wished me all the best for my new journey.
In 2015, I moved to Maryland. After a couple of years of adjusting to my new surroundings, I began to acquire new clients again. I returned to TaskRabbit to rebuild my residential cleaning client list. In 2021, I made the decision to license the business to allow for personnel growth. I have successfully hired three employees, and together we have built a great list of residential clients. This cleaning business started simply because I was eager to pay off my student loans.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
My life has been shaped by perseverance, compassion, and an unshakable faith. From an early age, I displayed a deep curiosity about the natural science world and a strong desire to serve others—qualities that would guide my educational path and my career.
I was born and raised in New Jersey. In 2015, I made a transformative move to Maryland, a change that opened the door to new opportunities and allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. After earning my bachelor’s degree in biology from Bloomfield College, I continued to pursue my passion for science and public health by completing a Master’s degree in Biotechnology and Biodefense from Johns Hopkins University.
My academic excellence and drive soon blossomed into a multifaceted career. I own and operate Cameo Scrubbers, LLC ,which is a residential cleaning business. I take pride in creating safe, comfortable environments for families across the community. Cameo Scrubbers, LLC has been serving clients with professional cleaning services since 2021. My business is built on trust, flexibility, and a thorough understanding of each client’s individual needs. I recognize that inviting someone into your home requires confidence and comfort, which is why we strive to provide a respectful, seamless, and reassuring experience from start to finish. Our priority is to deliver exceptional service and uphold the highest standard of customer satisfaction. If the results do not meet expectations, we are committed to making it right. Customer satisfaction is our measure of success, and I take great pride in ensuring that every service reflects the quality and care each home deserves.
In addition, I serve as the Pathology Lab Manager for a Gastroenterology Practice—a role that combines my scientific training with my commitment to patient care and medical advancement.
Beyond my professional endeavors, I am deeply invested in giving back. I volunteer my time with Columbia Community Care and Accent Care, supporting neighbors in need, uplifting families, and ensuring that compassion remains at the center of community life.
As a woman of many passions, I enjoy swimming, traveling, and exploring the beauty of the world around me. My greatest source of strength and identity comes from my faith. As an active member of Bridgeway Community Church, I serve faithfully on the security team and as a church greeter, welcoming others with warmth, kindness, and the light of Christ. I strive to live out Joshua 1:9 each day—“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Grounded in purpose, driven by service, and guided by her unwavering love for Jesus Christ, I continues to build a life that reflects resilience, generosity, and hope.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
During my undergraduate years, I was certain that nursing was my calling. I had no backup plan because I truly believed it was my destiny. However, in my sophomore year, I received devastating news that I had not met the GPA requirement to be considered for the nursing program. I went back to my dorm room and cried for hours, overwhelmed with disappointment and uncertainty, not knowing what I would do next or how I would explain this to my parents.
In that moment of despair, I got on my knees and prayed to my Savior, Jesus Christ, asking Him to help me find a new path. Shortly after that prayer, I found myself looking through the course catalog and came across Biology as a potential new major.
What initially felt like defeat became one of the most defining moments of my life. It tested my faith and reminded me that, with the Lord’s strength within me, I am never a failure. From that point forward, my life changed completely. By trusting God’s guidance and embracing a new direction, I was given opportunities I never could have imagined. I was recognized and invited to speak at my college’s President’s Dinner, conducted independent research, and was ultimately selected for a position at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Looking back, that moment of disappointment became a turning point that strengthened both my faith and my purpose. It showed me that God’s plan is greater than my own, and that sometimes what feels like a setback is actually the beginning of something far greater.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
TaskRabbit helped me get started by connecting me with my first one or two clients. After that, my work and customer service began to speak for themselves. My clients would tell their friends and family about me, and that’s how I grew my clientele.
It has truly been a blessing because I haven’t needed to rely on social media or even have a website for my business to thrive. I’ve simply been able to be my authentic, God-given self and that has been sufficient.
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Image Credits
Photos were taken my Joshua Davis of J. ALEXworks