Detroit Mom’s Local Love series highlights local women and the businesses they have built. We love supporting small business! Today’s Local Love Spotlight belongs to Juliana Meidl, owner of Serenity At Home.
To start, we asked Juliana to share a few fun facts about herself with us so we could get to know her a little better!
- She is a serious Michigan State sports fan, and she works her schedule around watching MSU football and basketball.
- She grew up on the eastside of Detroit and was the first person in her family to go to college.
- One of her kids is on the autism spectrum, so she understands the challenges that come with having a child with special needs.
We also asked Juliana to share a little bit more about her business with us. Get to know her and her business, Serenity At Home, below!
How did you come up with the idea of your business, and how did you start?
“I initially started this business with a partner. We both loved to organize and were very good at it. We helped friends and family members on the side and along the way people would mention that we should actually do this professionally. At first we didn’t realize that home organizing truly was a business. After doing some research we realized that not only was home organizing a growing industry, but one that was a perfect match for our skills and desire to help people.
“While we did the research to determine that yes, home organizing was a business that would be a great fit for us, it did take us a few years to take the plunge and make it happen. While we could see the opportunity of this business, we also saw many reasons not to do it. It is a risk to give up a job you have with steady income to start something brand new.
“We did finally get to a point in our lives where we wanted a new challenge professionally. We also had older school-age kids and wanted the flexibility that owning your own business can provide. It is a tremendous amount of work to start your own business, but we were ready and excited about the possibilities.”
Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting out?
“I wish we would have started this business sooner. We had talked about and dreamed together what owning our own business could look like. We let the risks of starting a business outweigh the potential rewards for several years before we finally did it. You can find many reasons to not do something, and I just wish we [hadn’t] let our fears dictate our decision.”
What is the best business advice you’ve ever been given?
“Don’t let the fear of the unknown hold you back. Believe in yourself and don’t give up.”
Have you faced adversity in business due to being a woman? How did you navigate that?
“Being a woman and owning a home organizing business is truly a benefit. The vast majority of my clients are women. I am able to truly understand the challenges and stress my clients feel. I know what it is like to be a mom and trying to juggle everything. I understand the stress that disorganization in a home can create. I also understand the benefits of having systems in place to stay organized.
“Being a woman allows me to really connect with my clients. Also, as someone who is older, I can understand and relate to my clients at the different seasons of life they [may] be in. I remember what it is like to have young kids. I know how busy life can be when your kids are all in school. I also know how challenging taking care of aging parents can be.”
How do you persevere in challenging times?
“Owning a business that requires you to go into your client’s home during COVID was a huge challenge. We did pivot to virtual organizing as much as we could during that time.
“We did find that once the lockdown was lifted, it actually was a benefit in some ways. Being home for so long–and for many, working from home–created new opportunities. Those areas in the home that people were able to ignore for so long became spaces that needed to be addressed.
“Overall though, I think the key to persevering in challenging times is just believing in myself and the mission of my company. It also helps [that] I have an incredibly supportive husband and family that supports me. They truly are [my] biggest cheerleaders!”
What impact do you want your business to have?
“This business gives me the opportunity every day to truly impact someone’s life. So many of our clients are so overwhelmed and stressed by their homes. When we work with our clients they don’t just get an organized space–they can get a life-changing experience. We provide a compassionate, confidential, and judgement-free service to each and every client. We believe that everyone deserves an organized home that serves them and their families.”
What are the pros and cons of being a woman business owner in 2023?
“I believe the possibilities to grow my business each and every year are there for me. As a woman working with women every day, I understand their situations and know how to help. Each client and situation is different, and we are here to provide customized and sustainable solutions to meet their needs.”
What knowledge would you share with someone who wants to become an entrepreneur?
“Take the risk! Owning your business is an amazing opportunity. But, it is a tremendous amount of work. I think a key to starting a business is to make sure you do your homework. We spent a lot of time researching not only this type of business, but also the competition in the market. We had to decide what exactly we wanted to offer our clients and how we would differentiate ourselves from others doing the same thing.
“Another piece of advice I would share is: don’t over-complicate things, especially when starting out.”
What do you do for personal and professional development?
“I am an avid podcast listener and reader. I love to listen to podcasts while I exercise. Reading is my way to unwind at the end of the day. There are so many resources available to not only help me grow as a business owner, but also as a woman and a mom.”
What mantra or quote do you live by?
“Your life is a beautiful blank canvas. You have the choice of splashing it with the most gorgeous and spectacular colors, by doing what you love.” Hiral Nagda
What’s your favorite place in Detroit or Michigan?
“My family and I love spending Saturdays at Eastern Market and walking along the riverfront. There are also so many great new restaurants opening in the city we love to try.”
Where can our readers find you on social media?
You can follow Serenity At Home on Facebook, Instagram, and on their website!
What a great article! I can tell you first-hand what a joy Juliana is to work with and I couldn’t recommend her more!