Wearing many hats is nothing new for Gisela Howell. Growing up, she enjoyed staying busy as she rode and broke horses, sang, and danced. With a Peruvian mother, Howell said she was always dancing to Latin music in the kitchen, convinced that one day she’d be a professional ballerina. “My coach said I didn’t have the knees for it,” she added laughingly.
That love of dancing led her to a love of fitness – and Howell transitioned from a corporate job into that of a personal trainer, coaching people out of her own garage so she could be home with her newborn son. But when her family moved to their farm in 2015, they realized there was no space to continue training. Needing income right away, Howell thought about what she could do.
“I did a move out clean for a friend, and it spread like wildfire,” Howell said. “I had people reaching out to me and knew this was going to be it.”
And just like that, Faithfully Maid was born. What started as a one-woman show has grown significantly – Howell now has 26 employees and serves more than 200 clients, averaging 17 cleaning projects a day.
“I help my employees do their jobs and do them well,” Howell said, “but they’re my lifelines. They are so hardworking and trustworthy. I wouldn’t be able to do this without them.”
With many cleaning companies in the area, Howell said what sets them apart is their emphasis on safe, natural cleaning products, their attention to detail, and their personalized touch.
“Every home, family and business deserves customized care,” Howell said. “We really listen to our clients and what they want. With us, it’s not just about cleaning. It’s about creating healthier, happier spaces.”
Ten years into the business, Faithfully Maid’s services have extended far beyond homes, now offering services to real estate offices, vacation rental homes, small and large businesses, post-construction sites, and more. Howell said almost all of their clientele have come in through current clients or word of mouth.
“God is good,” Howell said. “I can’t take the credit – He provided and built this for me.”
These days, even though Howell isn’t doing much of the cleaning, her hands are plenty full. When she’s not communicating with her cleaners and clients, which is pretty non-stop, she’s tackling projects with her husband, taking her son to his baseball games or driver’s ed, and tending to the dozens of farm animals on her Arlington property – like four-month-old Heritage South Down baby doll sheep, named Bruno.
“It’s so hard, but it’s all so rewarding. I love that I can provide for my family from my own couch on movie night to the top of a mountain while hiking,” Howell said. “It is amazing to see where it is now…I can’t wait to keep going.”
Faithfully Maid serves the greater Everett, Snohomish, Lake Stevens, Marysville, and Arlington areas, offering professional work at fair rates. To contact them or learn more, visit https://www.faithfullymaidcleaning.com.