We recently connected with Karis Noelle and have shared our conversation below.
Karis, so glad you were able to set aside some time for us today. We’ve always admired not just your journey and success, but also the seemingly high levels of self-discipline that you seem to have mastered and so maybe we can start by chatting about how you developed it or where it comes from?
Oh, where does my self-discipline come from? Well, funny enough, it all began with countless hours of Irish dancing—12 years, in fact, of being a competitive Irish dancer. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “What on earth does leaping around in hard shoes have to do with running a residential cleaning business?” But stick with me!
Here’s the thing, I wasn’t naturally talented at Irish dancing. I wasn’t one of those dancers who could just waltz in (literally) and ace every move. Nope. I had to work—hard. We’re talking 15 to 20 hours of practice every week, with constant drilling, improving, and tracking progress. It was all about setting goals, putting in the time, and fine-tuning every detail until it clicked. And it worked! Through sheer self-discipline, I went from just another dancer to standing out among the crowd. I learned that success isn’t about raw talent—it’s about showing up every day and doing the work, even when the odds seem stacked against you.
Then, as if Irish dancing hadn’t taught me enough about discipline, I stumbled upon John C. Maxwell’s “Rule of 5.” It was life-changing. Maxwell basically says, if you take five swings at the same tree every day, you’ll eventually chop it down. Simple, right? Well, it’s genius. I saw so many people around me chasing a dozen different things at once and making little progress because they weren’t focused. But me? I learned to show up to the same “tree” day after day and take my five swings—whether it’s dancing, or now, running a cleaning business.
That’s the magic of self-discipline. It’s not glamorous or mysterious; it’s about setting a goal, focusing on what matters, and doing those same small, intentional actions every single day. Just like when I danced—I tuned out the distractions, ignored the doubters, and took my five swings until I made it. And that’s exactly what I bring to my business today.
So yeah, you could say my self-discipline comes from Irish dancing, a lot of hard work, and, well, maybe a little bit of stubbornness too!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
At Happy to be Home, my mission is pretty simple: to take a home that’s already filled with love, memories, and that personal touch, and make it even happier. We specialize in residential cleaning services, whether it’s a one-time deep clean or a regular cleaning routine, and our goal is to bring out the sparkle in your home. What makes us different from other cleaning companies? Well, this work is personal to me and my team. We understand that your home isn’t just four walls—it’s where life happens. It’s your sacred space, and if it’s clean and glowing, chances are your experiences there will be even brighter.
It’s not just about the cleaning though (though we are very good at that, if I may say so!). What’s also important to me is making sure the wonderful ladies on my team are valued and appreciated. I make it a point to ensure they earn a livable wage and feel like they’re part of something bigger—because, honestly, H2BH feels more like family than a business. We’re all in this together, and that sense of belonging really shows in the care we put into every home we touch.
So, what am I focused on professionally? It’s about making an impact in the community—one sparkling home at a time. It’s about helping people feel even more at peace in their space and ensuring that my team thrives while doing it. It’s a win-win!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, I think three qualities had the biggest impact on my journey: blind faith, consistency, and protecting your light by surrounding yourself with people who drive you forward.
First, blind faith—and I don’t mean just hoping things work out. It’s that deep-down belief that even when things don’t look great or feel like they’re falling apart, everything will work out as it’s meant to. It’s about telling yourself that, out loud if you have to, or writing it down where you can see it every day. Because even if you don’t fully believe it at first, there’s something powerful about shifting your mindset. It changes the way you move, the way you act. My advice? Keep faith in your vision, no matter what. It won’t always be clear, but just trust the process.
Next is consistency. Honestly, this is where a lot of people stumble. You don’t have to have all the answers when you start—you just have to start. Talent is great, but it’s no match for showing up every day, doing the work, and being willing to learn (and yes, sometimes fail). If you’re struggling with consistency, here’s a simple trick: write it down. Get someone to hold you accountable. And remember, being consistent doesn’t mean you’re perfect all the time; it just means you’re giving it your best effort, no matter what. Even if that effort looks different from day to day, you’re still showing up.
And finally, protect your light. This one’s huge. You’ve got to surround yourself with people who lift you up, cheer you on, and fill your cup. You know the ones—they’re the people who are genuinely happy for your success but will also call you out when you’re slipping. The truth is, not everyone wants to see you win, and some people will try to hold you back. They’re like energy vampires, and honestly, they’ve got to go. I always encourage people to make a list of who’s filling their cup and who’s draining it. Once you do, you’ll find that your “tribe” is out there, waiting to support and push you forward.
So, how do you improve on these things? Hold yourself accountable. Be honest about where you need to improve. Make a plan and, of course, stay consistent with it. Remember, consistency doesn’t mean being perfect; it just means giving it your all, whatever that looks like each day.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I’m feeling overwhelmed, the first thing I do is remind myself that it’s totally okay to feel that way. It happens to everyone. But before diving into solutions, I try to figure out what’s really making me feel overwhelmed. Sometimes that’s easier said than done, especially when emotions are running high. So, step one? Take a breath and step back.
For me, the best way to reset is to literally step outside—if the weather’s decent, of course. There’s something about getting out of my head and into my body that helps me calm down. I’ll set down my phone, breathe, and just let myself reconnect with the present moment. If I don’t have much time, I’ll do some quick box breathing: four seconds in, hold for four, four seconds out, and repeat. Focusing on just my breath can be a game changer when I need to quickly regain control.
But if I have a little more time, I’ll head to the gym or put on one of my favorite EDM tracks and just move. I’ve found that dancing it out or working up a sweat helps remind my body that everything’s okay. Feeling overwhelmed is a natural human emotion, and sometimes your body just needs to shake it off—literally.
So, my advice? When you’re overwhelmed, slow down. Get off your phone, breathe, and do something that makes your body feel good. Whether it’s stepping outside, moving, or just focusing on your breath for a few minutes, the key is to bring yourself back to the moment and remind yourself that you’ve got this. Overwhelm may come and go, but it’s nothing you can’t handle.
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Image Credits
Lauren Leaseburg Photography (only for the one Irish dance photo with bleach blonde hair and fall background)
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.