Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Nihan.
Nicole, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In 2004, my family and I started a residential and commercial cleaning company in Plymouth called Mayflower Maids. In the beginning, unknowledgeable about the dangers in cleaning products, we personally experienced the negative effects of the toxins in these products. It seemed like each week we experienced a new side effect; allergic complications, rashes, tonsillitis, fatigue and dizziness, are some of the more common reactions. This inclined our family to take a deeper dive toward researching the dangers in cleaning products; in many cases we traveled extensively to attend professional development programs and certification programs to obtain a higher level of education as they relate to green cleaning, environmental safety, micro biology, CIMS, proper use of equipment and specific techniques for various materials and applications. Our green residential cleaning company has since gone on to win the Wicked Local Readers Choice Awards for best cleaning company in Plymouth for 2017 and 2018.
Years after opening Mayflower Maids, we decided to branch off into green property maintenance in Back Bay. We wanted to start a movement in the cleaning industry to help educate property managers, their staff as well as the occupants of these properties, on the dangers in the cleaning chemicals they are using, as well as the methods in which they use.
We feel obligated to continuously learn about new green cleaning products and methods, so that the buildings that we maintain are safe for all whom enter them. Most people are unaware that the VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) are far greater indoor than they are outdoor; it’s an alarming concept that most people do not know, that our indoor air pollution is triggering many significant health issues. Cleaners are being exposed and breathing in chemicals all day long, and certain chemicals found in many cleaning products have been linked to fertility problems, birth defects, increased risk of breast cancer, asthma and respiratory disorders and hormonal disruption; this is unacceptable. Most of them are unaware of this, and it is our hope to reach every building, school, office, etc., to both teach and educate them on how to make our indoor environments safe, all while pressing forward on keeping them safe. We are excited for our continuous journey, and we are already seeing such a positive impact on the buildings we maintain, and the health of the building occupants and our cleaning teams.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I think anything worth doing cannot come without challenges and speedbumps, after all, we are trying to completely change people’s way of thinking when it comes to cleaning products. For example, people think bleach is the answer, not understanding the underlying dangers in using it. We have been brainwashed to think that clean needs to smell good, and all that a fragrance is, most of the time, is a chemical. To us, it is not about making a profit off of our green cleaning products, we truly care about human and animal life, and want to continue being an honest voice for them.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
As a female owned company, Ameri-Green Clean has been providing certified green cleaning for years. Since our beginning, the health of you, your family, your pets and our environmental impact have been vital to our mission in property maintenance and cleaning.
We take pride in providing professionally trained and certified staff; who consistently meets our expectations at every location.
Being one of the few non-franchised green property maintenance providers in Boston, we understand the importance of cleanliness, safety and environmentally friendly methods at every location we maintain. As a green certified cleaning and certified building maintenance company, we have a solid understanding of green building principles and practices; which guarantees that we make each property more environmentally sustainable.
Not only do we have the best trained, most reliable, and most consistent cleaning teams in Boston, we also offer the best quality control measures you can receive!
I believe that what sets us apart from others is the continuous education, hands-on training, and the weekly building audits performed by us, the owners. We want to be a part of the everyday hustle and bustle, so that we can day in and out give our green stamp of approval. We are proud of our mission, our staff, and our green cleaning products and methods that are changing lives every day.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was quite opposite of what I am now, Oscar the Grouch, if you will. My bedroom was a mess, and I masked it with air fresheners, candles and cleaning chemicals; gross!
I have always been someone who wanted to change the world, whether it be hosting fundraisers for local animal shelters or volunteering countless hours to help others in need. My family and I always believed in being positive, honest and loving people who give back.
I grew up in politics and worked in the state house years ago; I was hopeful that that would help me to be an honest voice, if you will, in a at times, dishonest world. Deceit and dishonesty have always been two things that I loathe in humans. I could never understand how any human could profit and capitalize from dishonesty and be able to sleep at night. I knew early on that my families honest hearts may have a tough time ever becoming successful, because we’re not willing to compromise our integrity for wealth. And now wealth is no longer our goal, it’s to be the change we wish to see in the world.
Contact Info:
- Address: 160 Commonwealth Ave., Suite L-1B
Boston, MA 02116 - Website: www.amerigreenclean.com
- Phone: 617-266-8700
- Email: nicole@amerigreenclean.com
- Facebook: https://b-m.facebook.com/amerigreenclean/
Image Credit:
Shannon Grant Photography (personal photo)
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