New Website with Integrated Blog

As of November 28, 2019, our blog will be integrated with our new Squarespace website.

I am working on finding a way to import this blog into that one. In the meantime, if you are looking for the most up-to-date information, check out the blog link on that page. If you are looking for older posts, you'll find them here.

Thanks so much for reading!

- Kindall

Getting the most out of your Housewife

I leave the list on the island
with a pen (and usually a tip.)

If you haven't seen the announcement on our Facebook Page, then you might not know that I recently got married. It's not only a very exciting, but also a very busy time in my life!

Between moving the kids & I from the apartment to my husband's house, planning and executing the reception, and all the regular day-to-day stuff going on, I haven't had a lot of free time in awhile.

I love our Housewives and appreciate being able to schedule them to help me when needed. With everything going on, I KNEW it would be important for my Housewife to be especially productive the way I needed her to be when she started at the new house.

Have you ever given vague instructions to someone, realizing later that what you really wanted done wasn't completed (even though they technically did what you asked?)

"Clean the kitchen" to you might include washing the dishes, whereas to someone else it means wiping down surfaces and sweep & mopping the floors.
That's why we ask for a list from all of our clients.

Customer complaints are a rarity with us. But 95% of the time that someone has a complaint. We find that a detailed, prioritized list wasn't left for the employee and it all came down to miscommunication.

Our checklist has several ways to focus productivity available. If you use our checklist, (available at the link below) you can number the rooms on the list in the order you want them cleaned, and check off the stuff inside the rooms that is important to you. Clients can even put a maximum amount of time next to each room on the list. So if it takes longer than you anticipate to finish a room, they can move on to the next room on the priority list.

With this knowledge at my disposal, I created my own list for my home, changing it slightly to reflect the needs of the house for the different weeks of the month, and leaving some spaces to write in anything I needed to add.

By creating a list with all the main categories on it and adding in and taking away tasks that don't need to be done weekly, my Housewife now has a rotating list of things to get done that help ensure everything is covered!

Best of all, I will never look up and wonder how long it has been since someone cleaned the ceiling fan.

 You can do the same thing by typing a list up or printing out several copies of our checklist and making rotating changes... (Find that here: bit.ly/hahprioritychecklist )

You may only want your ceiling fans dusted every 3 or 6 months, or maybe you want everything on the main floor done every appointment, but you want to alternate cleaning in the upstairs and the basement. The possibilities are endless!

Pro Tip: Put your lists in clear sheet protectors and use a dry erase marker for your housewife to check items off and to leave notes. Then you only have to print each list one time!

We love it when you work with us to help make your experience the best it can be! Know that you can always call, text, email, or Facebook Messenger us if you ever have any concerns or questions. We'll be happy to help!

Stay tuned as we work on building a new website and sharing some other new adventures with you as well! Oh, and I can't wait to tell you about our awesome reception from last weekend!

Please note our mailing address has changed to:
212 Devron Circle
East Peoria, IL 61611

The Best Baby Gift Ever...

"For your gift, I'm going to clean your bathroom."

If I could go back in time, this is what
I would do... sit and hold my babies.

It is not an exaggeration to say it was pretty terrible. My kids were six, two, and newborn, and I had a cat whose litter box did not get changed nearly as often as it needed to be. Oh, and half the bathroom was carpeted... not pretty. But my friend, Sandra, did it anyway. And she did it without judgement.

During that pregnancy (with my now 15-year-old, Ella) I had become a single mom. While I'd remained optimistic for those last few months, once I brought her home, reality set in and brought depression along with it. Keeping up with cleaning was the last thing on my mind.

Sandra's gift gave me the ability to breathe again... figuratively and literally! To this day I remember it as the best baby gift I've ever received.


As a single mom, her act of service made a huge lasting impact on me. But looking back, I can
remember days as a new mom with my first two children, when I was not single. Having someone clean for us, or take care of laundry, or even make a trip to the store for us, without judgement or guilt, would have been amazing then as well.

That's why I've decided to create a Hire A Housewife Baby Registry!

Not only will the parent(s)-to-be get an amazing gift they can use when it is most needed, but all of their friends can easily pitch in for a bigger gift that they know will get used.

In addition to that, we will add one free hour of cleaning to the account for each six hours purchased. That comes to an overall discount of almost 15%!!!

Here is how it works: 

• The Parent(s) To Be  REGISTER HERE
• Watch for an email containing downloadable images for the shower's Facebook event, a Facebook post, invitation inserts, and/or stickers. The email will also include the basic information that we send to all new customers so you can have an idea of what our services are. We should have it to you within 24 hours of registering!
• Let your friends & family know you are registered with Hire A Housewife
  
  
• Your friend/family member buys a gift through our site.

• They mention it is for your registry in the notes.
• Your friend/family member prints out a message that they contributed to your registry account.
• While we have this info, we will not share it with anyone except you.
• On the baby's DUE DATE or BIRTH DATE (whichever is sooner) we'll send you an email letting you know how many hours you have in your account!
• The hours will be available to use starting on that date.
• The free hours stop accruing six months postpartum.
  
• We also have a referral reward available! Registered moms who use their accounts and put your name as their referral could add up to free hours of housekeeping or free meals from Prep Freeze Cook! 
• One reward per registration, but multiple referrals are allowed!

It's that easy! 

Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear from you!

Customer Service:

Phone:  309-339-6620

Email: info@HireAHousewifePeoria.com
Facebook: @HireAHousewife

What A Win Looks Like

We recently received an email from a client who was overjoyed with the services her Housewife provides. She said:

"She brings more than joy. Life is super hectic and busy here. She brings peace and tranquility.  We just feel calmer after she has been here. This is the best gift we have given each other."  

Let's trade! We'll take your to-do list and you take this one!

When I read it, I immediately teared up. THIS. This is why Hire A Housewife exists. Yes, we are a cleaning company... and we do that well.

But our business is caring for people and making lives better... we don't just want your house to be cleaner because we came. We want your life to be better because we take the stress out of trying to get everything done that you need to do, and replace it with peace of mind knowing that your family is being taken care of.

As soon as I saw it I forwarded it on to my employees, letting them know how appreciated they are and that this is what a WIN looks like for us. This is what we strive for.

So, as you contemplate all the things you are going to try to fit in this week, consider this list...

Do:

Take your family out to dinner.
Teach the kids a new skill.
Learn a new skill yourself!
Take the dog to the park. 
Enjoy a Sunday afternoon nap.
Anything that makes you smile.
Something that makes someone else smile!

Don't:
Worry about how you are going to get your list done and still spend time with your family.

Give us a chance to show you what a WIN looks like in your home!

Whatever house you enter, 

first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’

Luke 10:5

 

(We think that should include your own!) 

Not saying goodbye

I LOVE this company, the people
 I've met, and the things I've
been able to do since starting it!

I love Hire A Housewife. I love what we do and what God has done through this company. I am proud of all the hard work I've done over the years to turn it into a company with a higher purpose. We don't just clean your house, we help take care of your family and bring joy into your home. We don't just employ people. We offer flexible, part-time jobs at a living wage to people who understand our mission and care about our clients. I love our clients and our employees.

When I started this, I was just trying to survive. The kids and I had already been homeless for almost two months and I didn't know what I was going to do. By the time I needed to hire help, we were in an apartment again, but there have been some major ups and downs in the last six years. I am so proud of what has come out of all of this!

Late last year I came to the realization that what really drives me is creating. I loved the creating of Hire A Housewife and all that I've learned from it. I've also created a second business, Peoria Music Live, and I'm learning from that one as well. In order to make that into the company that I know it can be, and open up my time for other opportunities to create as well, I have to step back from the daily operations of HAH.

Believe me, I was just as shocked as you are right now when I realized I am not Super Woman and my time and energy are not infinite!

I'm not saying goodbye by any means, just taking a step back from this so that I can take a step into other things. My story is still just getting started, as is the story of Hire A Housewife. I'll try to keep everyone updated on both because you haven't seen anything yet!

Over the course of the next month, Teresa Noe will be stepping into my place as Operations Manager of Hire A Housewife. I still own the company and will make sure it is run the way I want it to be run, with the same values, care, and customer service we've come to be known for.

I asked her to write a short introduction... 

 

Hello everyone! My name is Teresa Johnson-Noe.

I am 47 years old, happily married, and have two children- my daughter, Megan and my son, Logan.

Megan is married to Matthew and has a daughter of her own, my pride and joy granddaughter Roxanne. I don't see nearly enough of them, sadly, as they live in sunny Florida!

My son is a Junior at Pekin Community High School and plays football as a varsity linebacker and Wrestles Heavyweight Varsity.

I have a few hobbies, I write a blog of my own and submit editorial pieces to a few other local online and print magazines. I also paint, draw and create what some might call art. I call it doodling, but to each his or her own, as they say.

My husband and I are heavily involved in the Central Illinois music scene, and he plays guitar, bass guitar and sings in two local bands, he is also an accredited chef for a local restaurant in Peoria. In the past he has owned Dominic's Italian Eatery in the Metro Center, and together we owned and operated Beignet's on the Corner (a Cajun and Creole Cafe) in downtown Peoria.

I am also an assistant coach/director for the Speech team at Washington Community High School.

Together, we are a pretty diverse family but love all of the creative stuff. We also love our Sunday football and playing disc golf when we can get out.

There's more to tell you, but I look forward to getting to know each of you personally so we have lots to talk about when we meet.

I'm excited for the new opportunity at Hire A Housewife and can't wait to meet you all face to face.

Sincerely.
Teresa
(My friends call me- "T", or "Mama T"...don't be afraid to do so as well.)

Single Mom's Morning Out Donation Drive

If you are familiar with the Hire A Housewife story, you know how close to my heart Single Mom's Morning Out is. 

The event represents the anniversary of a turning point in my life. (I'll include the video WCIC created about that at the bottom of this post.)

Single Mom's Morning Out is a chance for local churches to love on single moms in the area while they get pamperred, relax, and have a good time in a positive atmosphere.

I attend the event at Redeemer Lutheran every year and can't help but tear up as they send us through a tunnel of other women who are cheering for us, letting us know we are supported and appreciated and loved.

Every year, single moms of all ages come and drop off small children at the provided childcare area, and are given the options to receive car care, hair cuts, massages, prayer, and breakfast among other things. Hire A Housewife donates gift certificates to help bless a few moms as well.

One of the other ways single moms are blessed by SMMO is their Blessings Store. Donated items in good condition are sorted and displayed for participants to choose from, for free, during the event. One SMMO site focuses on clothes, shoes, and accessories, while the other will also take small household items.

We are excited to announce that we are teaming up with SMMO for our Second Annual SMMO Donation Drive.

Hire A Housewife will be picking up donations for Single Mom's Morning Out AGAIN this year on March 18-March 31.

What does this mean for you? It means you can de-clutter your home, have someone else haul it away, and donate to a great cause!

If you have items picked up as part of cleaning appointment with Hire A Housewife, you will receive $20 off the price of your appointment!

CLICK HERE FOR THE FACEBOOK EVENT!

Glen Oak Christian Church is one of the sites of SMMO again this year. They have said they are willing to provide tax-deducible receipts for items picked up.

Send me an email at kindall@hireahousewifepeoria.com letting me know where you would like us to pick up donated items and also give me a general idea of how much you will have.

I will make arrangements and let you know when I will be in your area for pick up! If we have more donations this year, I may enlist some others to help!

Here is the video, as promised:

We are happy to be able to support your decision to de-clutter as you support single moms in the area. My story is just one that has come out of SMMO over the years. Thank you for helping to make a difference.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory.
Ephesians 3:20-21

Four important reasons Hire A Housewife asks for a list

Leave a list? Nobody has ever asked me to leave a list before!

We hear you, and we understand. 

But there is a good reason that we ask for a list from you.
That reason is likely the same reason you hired us.

We are different.

We are different because we know all of you are different.

Here are FOUR reasons a list is important for a fantastic Hire A Housewife experience...

Flexibility

Other companies don't need a list because they
already have one. They will only do what's on their list... and nothing else. We use a list to make sure that what you need done is what
actually gets done. We do so much more than just the basics. And, we are okay with doing something different every time we come.

If this week you want the refrigerator cleaned out and the laundry folded, but next week you want the bathrooms and the ceiling fans cleaned, that's okay with us. Maybe the week after that you'd like us to run to the vet and pick up your cat before cleaning. Yes, we will do that too!

 Efficiency

We all have different ideas about the best ways to use available time. The housewife you have might really want to make your bathroom sparkle as she knows it is what would make her day, not realizing that taking Q-tips to the corners of the bathtub kept her from getting to loading the dishwasher, which is the one thing that really would have made your day.

I personally clean for a client who has been with us for almost five years now. This is a family I care about and feel I know well. A few months ago, I was training someone new at that client's house. While the new employee cleaned the bathroom, I took the extra time to fold laundry. Later I found out that folding laundry is something that client really enjoys doing and there were other things that she would have preferred to have done.

Satisfaction

While we strive for amazing results and customer service for our clients, we do occasionally hear from someone who is unhappy with the service they received. In the process of correcting any issues, I start by asking about the list. Ninety percent of the time (90%!) it turns out that there was no list.

And, while we know it is simpler for you, showing a new housewife around your home and giving her a verbal list is not the same. There is a lot of information to take in at one time for someone who has never been there before.

Ease

What!?! Writing a list isn't easy... it requires forethought and time and, well, the ability to find a pen with ink! 

Hire A Housewife is making that easy for you too! When we send out a confirmation email we include a link to a printable list that you fill in. It even has the options to add priority numbers and time limits for each task!

YOU CAN ALSO FIND IT HERE

Once you have created your list, you can change it as often as you'd like. However, if you want to leave it exactly the same every appointment, you can do that as well!

Pro Tip:  I have one client who numbers everything in a general priority, but each week leaves the same list with just a post-it showing the numbers she wants completed. So while there are 10 rooms on the list, she can have  1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9 done this week and next week have 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, and 10 done!

Thank you so much for continuing to be the best part of Hire A Housewife!