Meet Jennifer Brown

We were lucky to catch up with Jennifer Brown recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, so excited to have you with us today and we are really interested in hearing your thoughts about how folks can develop their empathy? In our experience, most folks want to be empathic towards others, but in a world where we are often only surrounded by people who are very similar to us, it can sometimes be a challenge to develop empathy for others who might not be as similar to us. Any thoughts or advice?

My empathy; my knowing “how it feels” and being able to relate to each person right where they are stems from my very own experiences. I am a walking reality show, and no one has yet tuned in. I am that child that was left with a distance relative as an infant. At 14, when finally reuniting with my family, I realized it was the exact one warned against. I went from private schools in Bedford Village, NY to prison cells of Raleigh, NC in less than five years. At the young age of 17; I was jailed for trying to feed myself and two younger children belonging to complete strangers–one of which was murdered by their family member, WHILE I was still in prison; for asking for seconds at the dinner table..but that’s a story for another day. I’ve been verbally, mentally, and physically abused–even as i was raised in the good life; there was hell to live behind the scenes; to think that finding home would be different, to only be another chapter. When I left prison in 1998, at age 20; I had my GED in hand and a new plan for life. I worked nonstop, found housing, gained custody of one of my brothers so that I could be his guardian and know he was ok; meanwhile, I was 20 and he 16. And life was lived. I have steadily chosen progress over any other thing. I have opened my doors to many along the way; wanting to help as many people as I can to not have to struggle through life as I have, or to be faced with the wrong choices for lack of an emphatic ear and helping hand. Through it all I have managed to change my life around–one class away from a bachelor’s degree in business; a minister in an all-inclusive local outreach, Out of the Box Ministries Myrtle Beach; licensed in North and South Carolina; owner of a cleaning company that is moving into our third year of service in Myrtle Beach, SC; stepmother to eleven; step grandmother to 28, including my own first biological grandchild that will be born as I complete this interview; (I went through divorce after 17 years of faithfulness); and currently face even more issues daily than I could possibly have time to explain..But, yet I stand. I face each day with faith, prayer, and one foot forward. I speak to each and every one I come in contact with in an encouraging manner, or as so to bring about a smile. Because, in any and most instances; I can truly listen with a compassionate heart and say, “I understand, I’ve been there.”

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

From my upbringing with my aunt, if I learned nothing else–I learned how to clean! White glove, topnotch, high-level clean! As a child, I traveled to many states (Maine, Connecticut, Texas, New York, etc) with my aunt who was a nanny and midwife to the more affluent families of our area; whom for generations would pay her travel arrangements and accommodations to wherever they would reside to continue caring for their families. So, there I would be also, going to private schools in Bedford Village, NY; taking piano and guitar lessons in Maine and Connecticut–neither of which I can currently play. But after school, I had to help my aunt clean the homes and prepare meals. These were the days that formed my zeal for learning and finer things in life; the reason my southern twang dialect yet relays a sound vocabulary. However, after she became too old to continue those duties, my life continued back to the behind the scenes hell it had been throughout my childhood. I remember all the school events, birthday parties, and just regular days of childhood activity that were missed as my aunt had me cleaning baseboards, re-organizing closets, washing laundry, cooking, and many other chores–DAILY. I was a real life Cinderella without the slippers and fairy godmother! However, it made perfect sense when the idea began forming to start a cleaning company, because I had literally learned how to do nothing but clean from such an early age; and how to do so very well.
I’ve been working since I’ve known how to work; two or three jobs simultaneously at times. In 2022, that was yet my circumstance–two jobs, while going to school, trying to help my daughter through life, perform my clergy duties, and maintain a relationship with my better half, Rachel. One day in September, I decided that my birthday present to myself that next month would be to self-invest. I took all my pocket lint–because I have nothing; no savings, no credit, no investors, no family inheritance, more debt than friends–just those two paychecks, half of my education underway, and a half of a business plan. I started up my LLC, and told myself that as soon as I had 5 clients, I was going to step out on faith and let the business lead the way. Eleven clients later, I am yet praying and struggling and pushing my way through! Three of those are major clients with numerous properties, and the rest have been long-term and faithful residential and vacation property owners. Here’s an amazing fun fact! One of my new clients (in SC) from 2023 is a member of one of the affluent families from NC that my aunt served back in her day. My aunt served his grandmother and mother over 40 years ago. As soon as I took the initial call and was given his last name, I said “No way you could be related to the same family from Stoneville, NC?” And now here we are in the circle of life! He was even able to send me pictures of my aunt that was in attendance at his wedding back in the 80s! It was truly an amazing discovery–there were tears involved.
My company, A U-Neq Touch LLC, is committed to providing unique services that exceed those performed by others. Many people claim to be cleaners, but we stand by our motto– “A unique shine, EVERY time”, and deliver exactly that. I have a team of 15 hard working members that are dedicated to putting up with my levels of expectation (from my white glove childhood training), and thereby surpass those of the client. Do I think that cleaning other people’s mess is the prime epitome of success? No, of course not. However, building a company that is dedicated to providing a high level of service, regardless of the task; and one that provides a more sanitized, healthier, and safer environment for the public does display the exact level of determination, hard work, and successful results that can be made–regardless of the meager and seeming impossible start.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

FAITHFULNESS!! Keep your faith in God! Learn the power of prayer! Form a personal relationship with Christ! Don’t take anyone else’s word for it. Read your Bible, pray, and find your source of strength that will guide you along the way! God will be there when no one else is, remember that!

DETERMINATION! No one can live your life for you. The main thing is, no matter what the obstacle, DON’T GIVE UP! Keep pushing! You CAN do it! Stay focused on the goals you want to achieve, and then keep striving for success! There will be many NOs, but that one YES is the moment you have waited for–so get to it!

You really can learn something new every day! Keep an open mind. Be receptive to change, especially that which is positive and can beneficially impact the lives of others. Each one, teach one! Don’t do life alone! Learn how to love one another. In a world full of darkness, be a light. Knowledge is power! Don’t stop believing. We say these things, but learn to walk it exactly how you talk it. Change without change is not change; my personal motto since 2019.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

My current challenge has been ongoing. As I said, I started my company on a dollar and a dream. I don’t have good credit, loan options, or investors lined up. My operations are in a tourist environment, where the winter off season can be devastating. However, we are yet holding on! This year has seen my family expand in the height of that financial drought and my responsibilities have been weighing so heavily, I feel as though I am sure to drown at any moment. BUT GOD! I know that He hasn’t brought me this far to fail, and that those connected to me have a dependency linked to my success. Therefore, through sheer faith and determination, I awaken to face each new daily challenge. I continue to rob Peter to pay Paul. I continue to work from a negative balance with a positive outlook. I continue to press my way boldly on my journey through life, one step at a time. Walk with me, let me tell you a story.

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