Daily Inspiration: Meet Ashley Pollack

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Pollack.

Hi Ashley, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
My story begins in 2010 in the industry of housekeeping/janitorial work. I began cleaning professionally in the town of Maricopa where I was residing from 2009 to 2016. I was working for the city as a contractor, cleaning the library and park restrooms while I earned my associate’s degree in human services. I cleaned every night for 2 years without a day off. It was part-time work but I loved it. Fast forward to the year 2018, after working for Walmart, a merchandising company, linen delivery service for a hospital, and even as an electrician.

In between this time, I worked as a residential cleaner for 2 and a half years. It’s clear I didn’t have a great career path. I began working for WanderJaunt, a start-up short-term rental property management company, as a laundry attendant. For the next 4 years, I worked my way up there from laundry attendant to housekeeping trainer/auditor, crew coordinator, assistant housekeeping manager, and finally, Housekeeping manager before the company closed its doors. I always had a dream of owning a business and working with WanderJaunt, I believe I had gained the knowledge needed to run a housekeeping business. Shortly after the doors closed at WanderJaunt, the opportunity came knocking at my door. I didn’t have much to lose and I knew where to start. That is when Prickly Pear Pro Cleaning LLC was born on July 4th, 2022. I was lucky enough to have friends and associates that were looking for jobs and I had early opportunities to immediately take up contracts with property management companies. From there we grew quickly and became what we are today. Taking diligent care of housekeeping duties across major Phoenix cities, including Scottsdale, Central Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, and Mesa. We currently handle cleanings and laundry services for 2 major contracts including 65 properties.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Of course, nothing is perfect. The major struggle we face today is finding and staffing housekeepers that have the same vision as we do. Providing a clean, sanitary, pleasant stay.

Fast growth has straddled that issue but we are making great headway. We have been very fortunate as our first high season is in the swing. We have been able to handle the nuances of the day-to-day in this industry, with our heads held firmly high. I could not do this without the diligence of my team and the hard work they provide.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We provide a full service to our contracted clients. We provide linen exchange, consumable restocking, laundry service, reporting of major or small maintenance issues, carpet and rug cleanings, and deep cleanings, and we handle light maintenance fixes, such as air filter replacements, battery, and light bulb replacements, unclogging drains and toilets, tightening loose screws in furniture.

Whatever we can do to help make the unit as presentable and guest ready as possible. We are known for our extreme attention to detail and for having a plethora of great guest reviews to boast. we are most proud of the level of service we can provide and the closeness to our clients that sets us apart. The employees that work with me have a combined 20 years of experience in the field of housekeeping, I am confident that we provide a high-quality service.

We all have different ways of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For me, Success is defined by the Goals and aspirations set that are achieved. To never strive for complacency but strive for the discomforts that build character, knowledge, and future goals.

Never stop trying to grow in life. Success is not a life that is comfortable, but one that you are proud to live. Learning from mistakes, developing a strong team, making goals a priority, take small risks. All of this combined creates and harbors success. Above all, never forget where you came from.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084258280175