We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nicole Fox a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Nicole thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Let’s journey back to 2016, a time when I found myself balancing the demands of waitressing with the joys and challenges of motherhood. Money was tight, and I was desperately seeking a way to supplement my income. That’s when a friend offered me a lifeline – the opportunity to clean their apartment on the side.

Initially, I saw it as a simple means to earn a few extra dollars. But as I scrubbed and polished, something stirred within me – a profound satisfaction in transforming spaces into havens of cleanliness and comfort. The heartfelt gratitude from my first client struck a chord deep within my soul, igniting a realization that cleaning was more than just a chore; it was a way to bring relief, reclaim lost time, and a sense of peace.

Having weathered the storm of the restaurant industry for 15 long years, I intimately understood the toll it could take on one’s mental well-being. However, it was one fateful night, amidst the chaos of a slammed restaurant, that I faced a moment of reckoning. The owner’s public aggression left me humiliated and disheartened. In that instant, I made a vow to create a workplace with respect, compassion, and authenticity as their core values.

Fast forward to 2017, and life threw me a curveball. Battling bipolar disorder, enduring frequent bouts of sickness, and tending to my sick son left me questioning why, at just 30 years old, my health seemed to be in constant chaos. Seeking answers, I turned to the healing embrace of nature, diving into the world of essential oils.

As I immerge myself in research and experimentation, a revelation struck me like lightning – the very products I used to clean were contributing to my health woes. Fueled by a burning passion to make a change, I embarked on a journey to create a safer, healthier alternative.

Armed with newfound knowledge and an unwavering determination, I took the plunge and birthed my own cleaning business – The Natural Clean Queen. By replacing toxic cleaners with natural remedies and embracing a holistic approach to wellness, I sought out for a new era of clean living.

Since then, my son and I have undergone a remarkable transformation in our health. With a team of dedicated employees by my side, we’ve cultivated a nurturing environment where everyone thrives. Together, we serve our community not just by wiping away dirt and grime, but by instilling a profound sense of peace and well-being.

The Natural Clean Queen isn’t merely a business – it’s a movement. It’s about shining a light on the dangers of chemical exposure and offering hope for a healthier, happier future. And each day, as I witness the positive impact we make on the lives of others, my heart swells with gratitude and purpose.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi, I’m Nicole Fox, and I live in Montgomery County, PA. I’ve got a great fiancé who runs his own business, a lively 9-year-old son who’s all about ice hockey, and a bunch of furry friends – two dogs and two cats.

My journey into starting my own business began unexpectedly. I started cleaning a friend’s apartment on the side for some extra cash, and it got me thinking: why not do this for myself? That’s when the idea for my all-natural cleaning company was born. We make our own cleaning products from scratch, focusing on keeping homes free from harmful chemicals and creating safe spaces for families.

We specialize in cleaning homes and a few commercial properties, but what makes us stand out is our commitment to using natural ingredients. We don’t rely on store-bought cleaners filled with harsh chemicals – everything we use is handmade and completely safe.

But it’s not just about cleaning; it’s also about giving back. We partner with Cleaning for a Reason to provide free home cleaning services to cancer patients. It’s our way of helping out and making a difference in our community.

As we grow, our goal remains the same: to make homes healthier and happier places to live. With every cleaning job we do, we’re proud to be part of a movement toward safer, more natural cleaning solutions.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I have learned two lessons in life with creating this business. First is the modern way of cleaning and caring for yourself is taught by only one method. Back in the day people used to have natural resources to use for their homes and healthy. Somewhere along the line we lost that way of living. I had to retrain my brain and let go of my belief system with the traditional knowledge that i have learned for a healthier way of living. There is always a place and time for things. We don’t have to completely disregard the science as to why these things work we just have to know when the place and time to use them are.

Second is the idea of what being a boss means. What i learned in my work experience was that a boss demands, reprimands and is scary. When i embarked on this journey of being someone’s boss i had to really think of how i want to act and treat people. Yes i am a boss on paper but to my employees i am their coach. When they make mistakes i coach them on how to correct it. I hold them accountable for their actions while teaching them the correct way of doing things. With that there is a immense amount of trust and respect in my business.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Think about how you want to be treated and make sure you give that to others. Create core values within your business and stick by them. Treat them with respect by holding them accountable for their actions. Not in a demeaning and rude way but in a way that will uplift them and spark their interest to want to grow. Build a culture within your business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://msha.ke/thenaturalcleanqueen
• Instagram: www.facebook.com/TheNaturalCleanQueen
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheNaturalCleanQueen

Image Credits
Hailie D Photography Hailie DiMenna DelVecchio