Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Duckworth.
Hi Jessica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
In 2012 I moved from Seattle to Salt Lake City to finish my Bachelor’s degree at the University of Utah. After college, I landed a great job at a big company in the finance industry. I thought I had made it; I was living ‘the dream’. Eventually, though, the stress from the job was so intense that my health started to suffer. I was diagnosed with multiple autoimmune diseases that required immediate medical intervention to prevent long-term, permanent debilitation. I was undergoing intensive treatment while trying to meet the demands of my corporate job. I struggled with the notion that my body was in charge and that everything I had wanted was no longer a feasible option for me. As my disease was getting progressively worse and responding less and less to treatment, I was being asked to do even more at work and my relationship started to fail. At that point, I knew some things needed to change. Over the course of the next year and after my relationship had ended, I came out to my friends and family, found a treatment that finally worked for my autoimmune diseases, started dating an amazing woman, and decided it was time to quit my corporate job.
During this tumultuous period of my life, there were a few things that distracted and soothed me: making candles, knitting, and cleaning. I had already started an Etsy site and attended showcase events to sell the candles and knitted items I was making but I started to think I could make a living cleaning and organizing professionally. In 2021 I made the leap and started my own business; Hygge Home Goods & Services was born.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Of course, starting a business during a global pandemic was difficult.
Starting a business at any point is challenging, but when the whole country is shut down you essentially have to figure things out on your own. Processing times for licenses were extended, no one was available to call when I had a question, and there was a lot of uncertainty about COVID. Even now that things are slowly returning to normal, COVID is still a risk and issues with the global supply chain impact a lot of decision making. It’s nearly impossible to find replacement vacuum parts when your vacuum suddenly malfunctions in the middle of a job. Finding reliable sources of sustainable materials for candles and knitted goods is also a challenge.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Hygge Home Goods & Services?
I believe it’s important to deliver services and products that make people feel good. For this reason, I use products (in both my cleaning business and in candles) that are as natural and sustainable as possible. All of my candles are made dye-free with soy wax and natural scent oils and are hand-poured. I use only recycled glass containers with a large part of my candle selection made from recycled wine/beer bottles. I primarily use cleaning products that are simple and natural for a healthier home. I take pride in being able to offer personalized and tailored services that bigger companies aren’t always able to accommodate.
Services Offered:
Whole-home cleaning (standard/deep)
Open-house cleaning (pre-showing)
Move in/out cleaning
Organization (any space)
Laundry
Windows (inside)
Carpet cleaning
Floor refresh/reseal
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I think there is definitely a shift happening.
The shop small, shop local movement is also happening with home-based services. People are being more critical of where their money is going and are looking for a more personal experience when it comes to home cleaning. I have had many clients that have used bigger name services before but are more interested now in supporting smaller businesses. The quality and consistency you get from a small business is unmatched. You just cannot expect to get the same product from a big box company. I think you can expect to see a lot more local competition in this space in the future.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @hyggehomecleaning
Steve
July 14, 2024 at 2:15 am
Hello beautiful,
I’m a man called your father that I would love to give you a big hug and learn a great deal about you.please give that opportunity. you will realize I’m really not what you were told.please. I love you and miss you.