Before opening a Molly Maid franchise in February, Paul Davenport worked at Microsoft for 15 years where he assumed a director-level manager position and led a worldwide group of 100 people. Originally from England, he emigrated to the United States with his wife in 1985 and has lived in the area since 1989.

Q: How, or why, did you decide to open your business?

A: I really liked the idea of impacting people’s lives in a positive way. If I can provide a high-quality product at a decent price, and customers can come home to a fresh, clean house, then they have more time for other aspects of their lives. For my employees, if I can create a work environment that is fun, transparent and maintains the highest ethical values, then they can come to work feeling safe and recognized as valuable individuals. I also wanted to utilize my extensive operations background in a new business start-up scenario.

Q: What convinced you that this was the job for you?

A: Meeting with other Molly Maid franchisees and seeing how genuine they were in wanting to provide the best-in-class cleaning service to their customers and treat their staff well. They are all down-to-earth people from many different backgrounds and are extremely supportive of each other. We truly believe in making others successful.

Q: What does it take to blend your passion with your livelihood?

A: If you’ve worked in comfortable corporate environments your entire career, it takes a giant leap of faith and solid support from family and friends. People say to do what you enjoy and the money will flow. Not necessarily. The business plan has to work and you may need to tap capital resources – either your own or someone else’s. Expect adversity, especially at the beginning, don’t allow yourself to get rattled and follow your plan. Then you have a fighting chance of being successful.

Q: What are the crucial elements for success for your business?

A: Well, we are still very new and I’m learning a whole lot in these first few months. Similar to my corporate days (15 years at Microsoft), hiring the right people is crucial. My employees are my product and getting that wrong would be very painful. Excellent customer service is essential. Every customer no matter how big or small is equally valued and their loyalty should never be taken for granted; we don’t have contracts so we earn our pay every single time we clean their house.

Q: What has been your biggest challenge and how did you meet it?

A: Hiring terrific people and getting the word out there about our new company. I’m in the process of learning to meet both challenges and always questioning my processes so we can continuously provide the excellent level of service the Molly Maid brand is known for.

Q: How did your friends and family react when you told them you were getting into this business?

A: Everyone I told was fabulously supportive and thought it was a great fit for my talents.

Q: What motivates you?

A: Having a positive impact on people’s lives, whether they are employees, customers or the community motives me the most. For example, as a Molly Maid franchise, we donate a portion of every cleaning to the Ms. Molly Foundation, a nonprofit foundation that supports victims of domestic violence and their families.

Q: What personal abilities do you think are needed to excel in this business?

A: Massive amounts of patience and a great sense of humor! I’ve learned a great deal about human behavior in the last few months. Overwhelmingly, people are nice and I always look at them positively. Also, running a small business needs a sharp eye for the bean-counter aspects of the job, and that is something I really enjoy.

Q: When you’re not working, how do you enjoy spending your time?

A: I can’t say I’ve had too much free time over the last few months. Starting a small business is your life for a while and it needs to be if you are going to be successful. I can’t say that I’ve ever worked harder than right now. I do have a beautiful wife and two daughters that I love deeply who keep me anchored and I spend as much time with them at the weekends as I can, taking them to sports or just hanging out.

Molly Maid of Mill Creek and Woodinville

WHERE: 17921 Bothell-Everett Highway, Suite 102, Bothell

PHONE: 425-341-4316

WEB: www.mollymaid.com/local-house-cleaning/wa/mill-creek-woodinville.aspx