Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Savannah Samples. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Savannah, so great to have you with us and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with the community. So, let’s jump into something that stops so many people from going after their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. We’d love to hear about how you dealt with that and persisted on your path.
I started working when I was in college as a nanny, getting paid $8/hr and working overtime shifts. Through hard work, I built up my clientele and my reputation with the sole purpose to serve families and relieve the stress in their homes. I used to want to help EVERYONE. Like, I would go to jobs for free or even $5/hr just to be able to help take stuff off someone else’s plate. I got to the point where I was working 12 different jobs while going to school full time.
Coming from a financially unstable upbringing, I didn’t value myself at the rate I should have with my experience and work ethic. Slowly (and with the push from one of the moms I worked with-shout out to Amber), I started getting raises and was asked if I would ever be interested in starting a company.
Ageism and lack of leadership experience hindered me when I first began Angel Assistance. In 2016 at 21 years old, I forced myself to look in the mirror and remind myself I have a calling and deserve to be here. It is really hard proving that you can run a company and have a team at that age. You have to constantly learn, bend, unlearn, relearn, and evolve.
Fast forward, we are now a well-referred and highly rated household service in the Atlanta market. It’s taken 8 years to build to where we are. You know the worst part of running a small business? Social media demons. Don’t listen to ’em! These are people that are probably not your target market, are probably never going to work as a household assistant, and literally find a problem with everything they can potentially have a problem with.
If a client complains, you definitely need to listen to feedback and find a solution. Always be willing to adjust and pivot if it serves you and your clients. If someone on your team has a comment, listen and adjust so you can make sure you are being the best leader you can be.
If someone that doesn’t know you, your business, your mission, etc, complains or takes a jab– please let it roll off your back and focus on what matters. There are tonssss of distractions that can keep you from growth. There are a million ways to stay in your head and criticize yourself until the cows come home. Would you rather waste your time wallowing in pity or developing processes that cut down on your manual time and provide a better service or product for your community?
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I started college at Georgia State on a scholarship and dreams and shortly after realized I was going to need to get a job to survive in the city! I borrowed friends cars and worked as a nanny for a few families. A few grew to 12 while going to school full time. I was working 7 days a week and coming home to study for my classes and then going to classes and rushing to work. Plenty of shifts, my clients would come home from work and look around the organized home, take a deep breath, and say, “Thank you. You’re an Angel!” I even cleaned a CrossFit gym on Sundays for $75. A dear shout out to my friend Trae who came along as my right hand for those shifts. I hope you get to see how far I have come from up there. 🙂
One of my moms, Amber, asked me if I had ever thought about starting a company. I come from more humble beginnings, so my end goal was to graduate with a business degree, become a corporate accountant, and comfortably climb the corporate ladder. A very vanilla life planned out! If you know me, you would LOL at the thought of me having a predicted work and life schedule. My wheels started turning after Amber mentioned entrepreneurship to me. Fast forward to 2016, Angel Assistance begins!
Our mission is to provide a reliable Angel to relieve the stress in your home by tackling the weekly to-do list. With a routine schedule and the same Angel every visit, they get to know you, your family, and your needs. We are the only service on the market, besides individuals working above and beyond as nannies, that provides full household assistance with the same person every shift. We are a relationship-based service that supports your mental and physical health so you have more time to give to yourself, your family, your career, and your community.
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?
Find your “thing”. I always tell my friends I want them to find their “thing”, whatever that may be. My personal calling is serving others. I am a lifelong assistant. I am gifted with learning people, giving an outsider view on what would make their life easier, and creating an avenue to fulfill these needs.
Take away offense. When I first started Angel Assistance, I viewed it as my child and would get hurt if someone said they didn’t need us, didn’t want to work with us, or had something negative to say about it. Shift your mindset! If someone doesn’t need your service, they aren’t your market. If someone doesn’t want to work with you, this isn’t where their skill set lies. If someone has something negative to say, listen, determine if it’s critical feedback or if it’s Haterade. Try to adjust or consider if it’s critical feedback. If it’s Haterade, spit it out, and keep it moving.
Don’t give up. This is so cliche– everyone says it. The only reason I am still here is because I didn’t give up. I know this is where I am supposed to be and have been working on this for almost 10 years. God gives me signs that prove I am doing what I should be doing. I’m in the right lane. Why stop now?
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
10% Happier by Dan Harris —–
I am actively unlearning a scarcity and poverty mindset. When you grow up without a financial foundation, it is hard to believe that you can be financially okay and take care of yourself without the struggle. The world around us tells us to be angry at the rich, take all you can from the government, but don’t try too hard because the world will hold you back regardless.
This is poisonous.
Once you break free from being a victim of society, your opportunities are endless! While being mindful of the privileges that are apparent in everyday society, the business world (especially startup) is like traveling to a whole different planet. You’re judged on how well you do, how much work you put in, and how much knowledge you hold in your craft. Don’t count yourself out of a room. You never know who you are talking to or who needs to hear you talk.
The fear of failure is REAL. Impostor syndrome is REAL. Dan Harris really encourages you to spiral. While the rest of the world says to limit your brain to good thoughts and feelings. What if it doesn’t work out? What if I bomb this pitch? What if this investor says no? Find that answer, and then ask “what ifs” following those questions. Keep going with your spiral until you reach a ridiculous point to where you KNOW you are reaching and the possibilities of that happening, usually this is death or utter shame, work your way back to reality. You’ll see how much your brain can make up, and you’ll let go of expectation.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.angelassistance.org
- Instagram: @angelassistanceatl
- Facebook: www.fb.com/angelassistanceatl
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-assistance-atl
Image Credits
Angie + Co
