SOMETIMES AS EARLY as 6 o’clock, Damian Holder jumps into his vehicle, with his tools filling the trunk and back seat, and heads to whichever location his clients dictate.
He is young, industrious, self-employed and confident.
Just last year, however, it was a totally different story. At that time Damian had what some would call a comfortable and secure job working at a financial institution.
“It was a good job, but better was in store for me,” he said while steam cleaning upholstery on a job in St Thomas recently.
According to him, God had other plans for his life.
Damian told the DAILY NATION he always had a strong desire to become an entrepreneur, but it was only through “signs” from God that he resolved to set up Fresh Cleaning Solutions on September 14, 2015.
“One time I was in a vehicle going home talking to a friend about starting the cleaning business and at the same time a cleaning van pulled up next to us, then overtook us,” he said.
“We looked at each other in complete surprise. We interpreted it as an indication to go ahead with the business plans.
“On another occasion I was opening an account at the credit union for a manager at a place that sells chemicals for cleaning and I told him about the cleaning business I wanted to start. He told me to go to his office and get free samples of what they have there. I saw that as confirmation and God’s favour,” Damian recalled, laughing.
Some members of Damian’s family and friends had misgivings about his decision. And work actually started a bit slowly, but he had one goal and that was to succeed.
“Yes, they were concerned and worried but I took the faith. It wasn’t easy but I’m glad I did. The signs from God were too evident… I’m way happier and free now. My family is now seeing the fruit from my obedience to God,” he said.
Damian Holder on the job steam cleaning and deodorising furniture for a client.
Damian, a past student of Graydon Sealy Secondary, admitted to always being a religious person, but said the entire journey of establishing Fresh Cleaning Solutions brought him much closer to God.
“A prophet prophesied over me and my business and months after, a pastor randomly pointed me out and said that he sees greatness in me. That was confirmation for me; I totally had to depend on [God] regarding my finances.”
Damian Holder on the job steam cleaning and deodorising furniture for a client.
Damian’s work includes steam cleaning beds, sofas, carpets, chairs and tiles; as well as deodorising, power washing, window cleaning, car valeting and pest control.
As the Christmas season draws nearer and Barbadians look for economical ways to fix up their homes, his business has increased, but it has been a lot of hard work with a few challenges over the past 14 months. Yet the 34-year-old was not discouraged.
“I start as early as my clients will allow me,” he said. “Once I have work I’m ready, but usually I start at 9 a.m. and the next appointment around 11:30. I work till 5 p.m. unless there is an emergency. It’s been a bit of a struggle at times but the more hurdles you leap, the more the business grows. I’ve learned to consider it pure joy in the times of hardship and trials. I look at obstacles as an opportunity to grow and advance.”
Damian said he believed that what set his business apart from others of this kind was his calm and polite personality, clean appearance, punctuality, professional attitude and going the extra mile to please. He added this would augur well for his future aspirations to grow the business into one of the finest in the country. (SDB Media)