Q 1. Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
Ans: Tranquil Home is an eco-friendly housekeeping service in San Diego, CA. Our office used to be located downtown, however, since the initial COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020, in California we have continued to mainly work remotely.
Q 2. Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Ans: I originally started my career after college in the private banking and mortgage industry. I decided in 2008 after the banking crises to make a change and obtained my paralegal degree. While attending school for this degree I needed supplemental income, this is how the idea to start Tranquil Home began. My business partner Erin had been working for her family’s businesses for several year prior to joining Tranquil Home.
Q 3. What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Ans: I created Tranquil Home out of the need to create my own schedule and provide more income for myself while in school. However, the idea to create an eco-friendly housekeeping company was inspired by an old Oprah episode that I had watched about a woman that used to be a professional model but left the industry and started an eco-friendly maid service and made 1MM dollars in revenue her first year. I remember being really blown away, and thinking “what a cool idea that is.” You have to keep in mind this was an older episode so really eco-friendly anything was not as main stream as it is now.
Q 4. What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Ans: 1) Find someone that does what you want to do and is successful at it, as a mentor, however, do not take their word as gospel on everything. 2) Make sure you delegate right off the bat, meaning don’t do everything yourself, even if it requires you to not make money-it’s a bad habit to start off wearing numerous hats, and hard to put them down. 3) Don’t look at the big picture, just take tiny small steps each day towards your goal. If you look at the top of the mountain you will get discouraged, but if you keep your head down and take one step you will eventually get there. `
Q 5. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Leadership skills, analytical and problem-solving skills, and great work ethic.
Q 6. How many hours do you work a day on average?
Ans: Currently about 5 hours per day, however, I have worked many 12-13 hours days.
Q 7. To what do you most attribute your success?
Ans: That’s a tricky question because there are numerous reasons, however, one that sticks out to me the most is that I really enjoy working. Of course, I love to take vacations, and relax, but I get a lot of satisfaction out of getting things done. I like the feeling of having an accomplished day.
Q 8. How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Ans: Definitely YELP. I knew before I even started Tranquil Home that I would dedicate a lot of energy into online reviews and having outstanding customer service, it’s the only way to be in the 21st century, everything is out in the open.
Q 9. Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
Ans: Zero funding, the business was 100% bootstrapped by myself and my business partner. I did trade work for anything that cost money. For example, my very first website was built by a gentleman that was in web design. I cleaned for him and his wife and he in turn built my website for me. I posted an ad on craigslist for trade offered and he replied.
Q 10. What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Ans: I think delegating work to others is the #1 way to achieve long-term success, because it helps prevent burn out and keeps your business running efficiently. I am a very type-A person, that tends to want to just “do it myself,” but as I have learned the hard way, it’s just not worth it and makes your life miserable. I recommend using UPWORK to find freelancers to help do the work you don’t want to do.
Q 11. Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Ans: I see myself completely detaching from my business and having it fully operational without me. I hope to be living somewhere outside of California where property is more affordable and there are less taxes, maybe Texas!
Q 12. Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Ans: That’s a great question. I think the first one that pops into my head is PATAGONIA. I really like their approach to environmental advocacy. They have very high quality clothes and they even mend them for you for free.
Q 13. How important have good employees been to your success?
Ans: Good employees have been pretty important to Tranquil Home. I would say that even if you have mediocre employees, which unfortunately can be the norm, you can still create an amazing brand by having above average customer service.
Q 14. How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Ans: I do not give up on my ideas. The idea is to put your effort into an idea that can be measured for success.
Q 15. What motivates you?
Ans: Never wanting to be an employee and work for someone else for the rest of my life.
Q 16. What are your ideals?
Ans: To create a business that helps both the clients and employees achieve their goal(s.)
Q 17. How do you generate new ideas?
Ans: I have a pretty overactive imagination, so I am constantly thinking of new ideas. However, I find that most of my best ideas come to me in the shower. I think it’s something about being surrounded by white walls and no stimulus but the water coming down. My brain gets very focuses and inspiration seems to come to me.
Q 18. How do you define success?
Ans: Success to me is not a destination. I think for individuals that have lofty goals or are high achievers they tend to not ever reach “satisfaction,” it’s just “what can I do next?”
Q 19. How do you build a successful customer base?
Ans: Treat your customers like they’re family, go over above and beyond with what you give them. For example, if you mess up, don’t just discount your service or product, give them something for free so they keep coming back.
Q 20. What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Ans: Freedom to do what I want, when I want. I do not have to ask anyone, “Can I take a longer lunch, can I have X day off, can I come in later.’ I am only answerable to me and can utilize my time as I wish.
Q 21. What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Ans: Honestly, I am never satisfied and always looking to grow or improve.
Q 22. What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Ans: Being comfortable. I was in a corporate job making decent money with great health benefits, it’s hard to want to leave the safe feeling of a good job. Usually a life disaster or a massive change in an industry can prompt someone to become an entrepreneur. Leaving the mortgage industry and needing supplemental income so I could return to school was the best thing that ever happened to me.
Q 23. What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
Ans: I would say we have a respectful culture where we try to all communicate with each other like humans rather than superiors or inferiors, etc.
Q 24. In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur
Ans: Liberating
Q 25. If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Ans: I would have gone to law school and became an attorney.
Q 26. How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
Ans: I would say it has benefited my family in many ways. I got to participate in my niece’s life much more hands-on than I would have if I was working a 9-5.
Q 27. What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
Ans: Death. Try not to die.
Q 28. How did you decide on the location for your business?
Ans: I have lived in San Diego since I was a child so it’s my hometown.
Q 29. Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: No, just work, get down to basics, set small goals daily and delegate the work you don’t have time to do or you’re not good at.
Q 30. If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and why?
Ans: Bob Marley, he seems like a wise, fun guy, and would love to hear him play.
Q 31. Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Ans: I would say in my life, I have had more people around me that I know I “do not want to become,” rather than inspirational.
Q 32. What book has inspired you the most? (OR what is your favorite book?)
Ans: The Catcher in the Rye.
Q 33. What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
Ans: Too much emphasis on my social life in my 20s and not enough attention to my career.
Q 34. How can you prevent mistakes or do damage control?
Ans: Get out in front of them quickly, and be the first one to bring it up, apologize and or fix the issue. Don’t wait for the problem to fall in your lap, get it taken care of.
Q 35. What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?
Ans: Yoga, playing guitar, chess, hiking and watching crime documentaries.
Q 36. What makes you happy?
Ans: Being in the mountains with no cell service.
Q 37.If you were conducting this interview, what question would you ask?
Ans: What is your favorite business related podcast.
Company Detail:
Company : Tranquil Home
Address : 600 B Street Suite 300
City : San Diego
State : CA
Zip : 92101
Country : USA
Phone : 858-848-0881
Email : inquiry@tranquilhome.net