An Inspired Chat with Poiette Noel of Upper Marlboro, MD

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Poiette Noel. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Poiette, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Honestly, I’ve learned as a business owner that if I don’t take time for myself first thing in the morning, the day—and everyone else’s needs—will run me instead of the other way around. So the first 90 minutes of my day are dedicated to me.

That might look like a Pilates class down the street, a Peloton ride at home, or just a walk through my neighborhood. I mix it up, but the goal is always the same: move my body, clear my head, and start grounded. I also make sure I’m drinking water, taking my vitamins, and sometimes I’ll read an article or do a short meditation. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it’s non-negotiable.

This position requires me to show up for the world every day, and I can’t do that well if I don’t give myself that time first. Once I’ve gotten my movement in and fueled my body a bit, I feel ready to take on whatever the day throws at me.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, my name is Poiette, and I wear a few different hats that all tie back to building, growing, and living life on my own terms. I’m the owner of No More Dust Maid Services, a residential and commercial cleaning company I’ve scaled to seven figures in just five years, reaching over $2 million in gross revenue. I’m also a brand and trip ambassador for Haitian Nomad, where I get to host curated trips all over the world, and a part-time real estate investor expanding my portfolio with multifamily and commercial properties.

I became a full-time entrepreneur in May 2023 after leaving a 14-year career in government public service. That transition completely shifted my life—from a traditional “good government job” to now running businesses, traveling, investing, and consulting with others who want to scale their own ventures. What started as a side hustle has turned into a thriving company, and now I also offer business consulting to help others strategize, grow, and take action on their ideas.

Right now, I’m focused on expanding into the government contracting sector, securing funding to fuel my company’s next stage of growth, and adding more properties to my real estate portfolio. What makes my story unique is that I never imagined this path when I first graduated college. To go from serving in public service for 16 years to becoming a business owner, travel enthusiast, and investor has been an unexpected but incredibly fulfilling journey.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
I’d definitely say my parents. My mom was a full-time entrepreneur from the time I was a little girl, and my dad often worked two full-time jobs to make sure our family was always taken care of. Watching them, I saw firsthand what strong work ethic looks like.

They showed me that hard work isn’t just about sacrifice—it’s about building the life you want and being able to enjoy the rewards of it later. I watched them both elevate in life through consistency and effort, and now they’re able to enjoy a comfortable retirement. That example taught me early on that if I want a certain kind of life, I have to be willing to put in the work for it.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the biggest defining wounds for me was having to leave my job prematurely because of a toxic work environment that truly traumatized me. Being a Black woman in corporate comes with its own struggles, but this experience was something I never expected. For years, I loved my job—it was fulfilling and rewarding—until I got a supervisor who made it her mission to harass me nonstop.

It took me over a year of therapy, leaning heavily on the support of my friends, and doing a lot of mindset work to finally heal from that season. I had never experienced stress and anxiety to the point where it physically made me sick. What made it even more painful was that it came from another Black woman. That part was heartbreaking, because as a young Black woman myself, you don’t expect someone who looks like you to come for you like that—especially when you’ve always been a top performer.

But with time, I’ve come to accept that this happened because it needed to. It forced me out of my comfort zone and into the next chapter of my life—entrepreneurship, travel, real estate—things I would’ve never truly stepped into if I had stayed in that safe, “good” government job. Now I can look back and see that wound as the turning point that pushed me into the life that was always meant for me.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think my closest friends would say that two things matter most to me: the ability to make an impact through my work and the importance of enjoying the fruits of my labor. For me, hard work has to mean something—I don’t just want to be busy; I want the effort I put in to create opportunities, open doors, and have a positive effect on others. That’s how I measure success.

At the same time, I really value being able to step back and enjoy what my hard work produces—whether that’s traveling, investing in new ventures, or just creating space for myself and the people I love. My friends know that I work hard, but they also know I believe in living well and not letting those sacrifices go unnoticed.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m traveling—especially when I’m in a new country exploring and taking it all in. There’s something about diving into a new culture, tasting the food, connecting with locals, and just experiencing life outside of my norm that grounds me.

Being near water is another big one for me. Whether it’s relaxing on a beach, taking in the views from a luxury hotel by the ocean, or simply hearing the waves, that’s when I feel my mind quiet down the most. Travel has a way of giving me both excitement and stillness at the same time, and that balance is what brings me peace.

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Image Credits
https://www.mfieldsphotography.com/

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