Nickey Stanley makes no bones about it.She loves to clean. As a matter of fact, shefinds it “relaxing”. So it’s not surprising that her business, Spotless Gecko, has had a very successful first year. Yes the name is unusual but there’s a logical explanation. Nickey has always identified with the charming little creature ever since she did research on it at school. It’s small, it’s green, they’re quick and they’re clean. “Kind of like me,” she laughs. Seeing it in its natural habitat in Hawaii confirmed her delight with the gecko. The unique aspect of Nickey’s cleaning service is that she customizes it to meet her individual client’s needs. And they love her for it because she obviously cares about them as more than clients; they’re friends. Flexible is Nickey’s middle name! So whether you want her uniformed staff to come weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, Spring and Fall or just occasionally, it’s your schedule that’s important. She will work around you, and how many cleaning services can say that? Exactly a year ago Nickey took the giant leap to open her own business. She had done her homework and worked hard, as evidenced by how the business has grown. She says the Small Business Centre at Cambridge City Hall has been “a godsend” and relieved the stress of planning such a venture. Everything from market research to good hiring practices was covered so Nickey could take the next step with confidence. Friends and family were and continue to be a great support, helping her to put up posters and distribute flyers. Her work ethic and friendly nature ensured that she would be successful. And her motivation? Her adorable, two-year-old son, Riley Noble, whom she calls her “miracle baby”. Riley, who is asthmatic, and suffered several other illnesses, spent the majority of his first year in the hospital. After almost losing him to an illness the young single mother resolved to find a way to care for both his health and his well-being. She works while he is in day-care and spends all the free time she can with him. Determination was a powerful influence and Nickey has never looked back. It’s great for busy people to know that they don’t have to worry about keeping their house clean because Nickey and her staff can willingly, happily and professionally provide that service. She takes pride in her work, supplying and using only natural products devoid of any chemicals. She is so adamant that cleaning should be ‘green’ that she is taking comprehensive courses to become certified. As anyone in the know can tell you, there’s a lot more to being a truly green cleaner than just using natural products. Practices, health issues, allergies, biodegradable versus organic are just some of the issues that Nickey is studying. She hopes to become the first certified residential cleaner in Canada. There is a checklist of services available which Nickey provides when she goes to visit prospective clients, to introduce herself and provide a quote. That personal touch is what sets her apart from other services; she wants the client to know who she is and what she’s all about. Imagine, someone delighted to do your dirty work! How rare is that.