Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Samantha Davis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Samantha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

Yes, definitely. I do NOT miss the daily commute, 8-hour grind, expensive eating out, and commute home. Working for corporations was frustrating. There was a huge lack of trust, reasonable boundaries, and ethics that I kept running into. It was appalling, really.

I spent so many hours just sitting at a desk trying to look busy instead of getting to leave early because I finished my work ahead of time. If I was fast and efficient, I was given more work rather than celebrated for my efficiency. And that increased work load never came with an adequate raise. Others doing my workload were making upwards of 65k and I was only making 34k.

Many offices didn’t offer adequate sick days or work from home options, which were vital for me due to my chronic illness.

My boss once put me in charge of an account that was owned by a misogynist. They decided the only woman in the company was a good fit to interact with this sexist customer. Never once was I asked if I was comfortable with the situation. This customer verbally assaulted me and called me “stupid” many times throughout our first conversation.

I was required to give a reason for my requested PTO, which I felt was none of their business. Employees had to beg for time off and it was not guaranteed to get approved.

I was once at a company that didn’t offer any health benefits, even to full-time employees. They claimed they couldn’t afford it, but that was not the case – as they often threw lavish parties in lieu of any real job benefits.

The sexism I experienced was also ridiculous. I once went to a higher-up asking for help communicating with another female employee I’d had a disagreement with. My boss laughed and said, “I don’t get in the middle of cat fights” and started making hissing and yowling noises. When I told him how offensive that was, he said, “I didn’t realize you were so sensitive to jokes.”

The lack of ethics went far beyond the sexism. There were many times I spoke up about the unethical nature of a decision the company was making, and I was ignored. Once, my boss told our team to all write positive reviews about a product we were marketing. None of us had ever used that product much less had any positive results from it. And yet there they were, asking us to lie to sell this product to people who were desperate for better health and lower pain. I refused.

I once picked up the phone – I knew the owner of the company was calling – and said, “Hi, Jane!” Since I knew who was calling, I didn’t go through the typical customer service script. She was furious. When I explained to her that we had caller ID, so I knew it was her, she continued to scream at me and call me names. I often saw her treat other employees this way, which led to them breaking down into tears in the office. I seemed to be the only one who stood up to her and said, “You can’t talk to me – or anyone else – like this.”

That same boss would ignore lunch breaks and normal healthy boundaries to call employees after hours, even in the middle of the night, demanding a response.

What was the point of working so hard for a company that treated me this way?

Starting my own business changed everything. I was in control for the first time. I could choose my hours, my pay rate, what days I worked and what days I didn’t, and who I’d interact with.

No more dealing with rude customers and having to take their abuse. I could say no.

No more feeling ashamed of my company making unethical decisions. I was in control of the decisions.

No more dealing with sexism. If someone was hateful to me, I could simply walk away and not take them as a client.

No more pushing through my chronic pain at work. I could stay home if I was having a flare.

Whenever I think about going back to that corporate world – which isn’t often – it’s because of the stability. The same, solid paycheck every two weeks on the dot. It was predictable and comforting.

Owning my own business means I don’t get the same paycheck on the same schedule every month. It varies. And that can be really scary! But then I think about just how much my life has improved since I started working for myself, and it doesn’t take long to remember why I left.

Workers deserve better than what we get – what I got – working for other people. Starting my own business finally gave me the control I desired over my work schedule, life-work balance, pay rate, and boundaries. And as I expand this business, I plan to do so ethically. When it comes time to hire employees, they will be paid adequately, treated fairly, and afforded the same respect and kindness I’d expect someone to give me.

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

I have always loved organizing. I started doing it for fun just for myself, and then started helping friends and family with it. I had always thought, “I wish this was a job. It would be my dream job!” Little did I know, it WAS!

It wasn’t until 2020 when I saw The Home Edit on Netflix that I realized my dream job had been waiting there for me all along. I was so excited once I realized my dream could become a reality.

Disability also came into the equation after my college experience in a wheelchair.

In 2009, I was diagnosed with a nerve disorder called Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). To learn more about this disorder, visit www.RSDSA.org. I was in a wheelchair for many years and suffered a great deal of pain. Through a combination of numerous tests, medications, surgeries, and physical therapy, I was finally able to walk again in 2011 and have been on my feet ever since!

During my time in the wheelchair, I discovered a whole new world of limitations. I was in a 2nd-story apartment with no elevator or ramps. Sidewalks wouldn’t be level and would send me flying out of my chair if I didn’t notice. Most businesses didn’t allow enough room for wheelchairs to fit through aisles or even to get in the door at all! I’d often have to ask for help reaching things in my own kitchen, or to get things down from my closet. I couldn’t even reach the countertop to cook on the stove because my wheelchair wasn’t tall enough. The lack of independence was extremely frustrating.

The cost of major home modifications was out of my price range, so I got creative. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on expensive construction modifications, I went the in-between route: finding affordable solutions to make my life and spaces more accessible and enjoyable.

I ordered a revolving, adjustable height bar stool for my kitchen, which allowed me to transfer out of my wheelchair at the same height, and then adjust it to meet the countertop. I could chop, slice, and cook with ease! If I needed to turn around to grab some spices, the chair revolved 360 degrees. Plus, my able-bodied partner could still use the kitchen without having to bend down to reach wheelchair-height counters. I saved thousands of dollars with this little accessibility hack – which sparked an idea: what if I could do this for others?

My aim is to organize spaces with YOU in mind, no matter what your home looks like, how big or small it is, or what your challenges may be. In a perfect world, every home, business, and space would be accessible to everyone, but until then, I want to fill those gaps with affordable organizing solutions for people of all abilities.

You SHOULDN’T have to give up your independence just because you have a disability. And you SHOULDN’T have to spend thousands of dollars to get the same enjoyment out of your home as able-bodied homeowners get.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Thumbtack has been an excellent resource, but I am not a fan of how you have to pay just to talk to someone. They may not end up booking you in the end. If we paid for the solid lead, that would make sense, but paying for the opportunity to talk to someone seems odd.

Yelp is also a great resource. So many people get information about businesses on Yelp. The best thing I ever did was get a paid advertisement on Yelp. It generated tons of business for me and doubled my return on the investment.

Finally, word of mouth is really the best way to get new clients. Referrals are #1! The best, most solid leads come from real-life relationships and recommendations.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

Checking in on them in a personal way. Sending a stock email or text message doesn’t really inspire loyalty. You have to make them feel like they’re special – because they are!

At the end of the day, your customers aren’t just your bottom line; they’re human beings. Relate to them in a real way! Act like you would with a friend. Care about them, their needs, their desires. Think about how you can help them.

I often send birthday gifts, cards, or have little chats with my customers just to say hi. And we do become friends!

You shouldn’t want to foster relationships with these people JUST to make money – people will see through that very easily.

True loyalty is built on REAL relationships and excellent work, not fake ones fostered within marketing ploys.

If they like and respect your work, they’ll come back. I promise.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thinkoutsidetheclosethouston.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/totchouston/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkOutsidetheCloset
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRds2-lQALVfCao61XYJuUQ
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/think-outside-the-closet-houston

Image Credits
Fable Avalon Photography