Francheska Velazquez
Play to Learn Childcare
The Backstory
Despite a successful, full-time career as an architectural drafter at Eastern Connecticut State University, Shellena Pitterson wanted a different path for her long-term future, and she decided that path would be entrepreneurship.
She consulted with a cousin who ran two successful cleaning businesses in Hawaii. He shared his business model and helped her with the process of launching her own company. Shellena started Orchid Maids in 2019, had a few regular customers by the end of the year.
Orchid Maids began with a concentration on residential cleanings, but has since expanded into commercial cleanings as well. Shellena says she has received strong support from her family in pursuing the endeavor, and keeps in touch with her cousin to exchange business ideas.
She consulted with a cousin who ran two successful cleaning businesses in Hawaii. He shared his business model and helped her with the process of launching her own company. Shellena started Orchid Maids in 2019, had a few regular customers by the end of the year.
Orchid Maids began with a concentration on residential cleanings, but has since expanded into commercial cleanings as well. Shellena says she has received strong support from her family in pursuing the endeavor, and keeps in touch with her cousin to exchange business ideas.
How Women's Business Development Council Helped
Shellena frequently uses WBDC’s educational resources, taking multiple classes, meeting with Business Advisors and meeting other entrepreneurs through WBDC networking events. She successfully applied for the Equity Match Grant (now Ignite grant) and used the funds to purchase equipment to help in her expansion into commercial cleaning services. She says WBDC has always been able to answer her questions and connect her with helpful resources.
“Knowing that there is an organization out there that supports me and women like me, it’s empowering,” says Shellena. “They make you feel like you can do this, whatever it is that you have in mind.”
“Knowing that there is an organization out there that supports me and women like me, it’s empowering,” says Shellena. “They make you feel like you can do this, whatever it is that you have in mind.”
Website
Location
172 Summit St, Norwich CT 06360-6214
orchidmaidservice@gmail.com
Contact Phone
860-639-7394