‘Maid Simple’- Model-turned-entrepreneur Ali Williams is a ‘Special Person’

Nov 15, 2020 News, Special Person

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By Rehanna Ramsay

Kaieteur News – For this week’s Special Person, we present a woman who has over two decades has transitioned herself continuously for the better; a single mother of two who went from being a former model to marketing executive to now a thriving entrepreneur.
To say the least, Ali Williams has made the most of the opportunities and meeting the demands of the private sector.
Perhaps, many persons more familiar with local fashion scenes will remember Williams from “her pageant days, “when she graced the colour pages in the local newspapers and participated in contests including the Miss Guyana World pageant.

Williams has, however, evolved since then, working as a marketing executive for many years until she launched her own company.
She noted that the transition was not easy but necessary.
“It started out as a side hustle. I was working as the marketing manager for a company as well as finishing up my studies at the University of Guyana, when I started to make extra money providing a cleaning service to various clients,” Williams said, adding that she soon recognized there was a demand for the service she provided.
“I was actually earning more on the side than from my actual job. The business also demanded more of my attention as the clientele increased,” she said.
As a result, Williams decided to take a plunge into the deep end to start her own company.

“So I quit my job and that’s how my company—‘Maid Simple (Guyana)’ was born,” she said.
Williams described the venture as a young, growing, commercial and residential cleaning company.
“We launched in April 2017 and the experience has presented a huge learning curve for me,” Williams said.

GOAL DRIVEN
She noted, nonetheless, that her drive to be successful and independent fuelled her passion to grow and develop as an entrepreneur.
That drive, she explained, may have been passed down to her by her strong female lineage.
Speaking about her family background, Williams told Kaieteur News she “was raised by a single-parent mother, Jasmine Williams, who had the unwavering support of her mother, Veronica Alli, my grandmother.”
Williams’ mother was not blessed with sons but the family found a way to carry on her grandfather’s name. Her grandfather was devout Muslim; her mother wanted to name one of her children after him.
“But she gave birth to two girls before me and she knew that my grandfather wanted at least one of us to carry on his name, so I was fortunate to have his last name- Ali- as my first name,” she said of her peculiar first name.
And though she would later venture into pageantry, Williams recalled that her earliest childhood memories were of climbing fruit trees and swimming in trenches at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara.
“I have two sisters and we were tomboys; always getting in trouble. We would climb trees and eat out all of our grandmother’s fruits. We were often bitten by marabuntas (wasps)…those were the best days of my life. My upbringing is different from that of my sons. They are all about gadgets,” she said of her modest upbringing.
But even at a young age, Williams had already developed the mentality of being very independent.
Just after finishing secondary school, Williams entered the University of Guyana.
“I worked to pay all my university fees including my Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Post Graduate Certificate in Management studies and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management Studies for Australian Institute of Business. I think my passion for independence over the years ensured that I was well prepared for the life I live today,” the young entrepreneur asserted.
“I see myself as this one-man show…I always felt that I didn’t need anybody to get where I wanted to go…people may not see it as a good thing but for some reason I saw independence as an important thing,” the former marketing executive added.

RISKING IT ALL
As a sales and marketing executive, Williams had earned a fairly decent life for herself and her boys. However, a desire to be more financially independent propelled her to start her own business.
Williams recalled the moment she decided to risk it all.
She was completing her Masters when she decided to set up and run her own enterprise.
The entrepreneur explained that since then ‘Maid Simple Guyana’ has been offering a wide range of cleaning services.
The company specializes in providing clients with tailored service at cost-effective rates including planned maintenance cleaning, daily cleaning, periodic cleaning, events cleaning, pressure washing, carpet cleaning, gardening, window cleaning, floor maintenance, upholstery cleaning and the provision of temporary staff.
The company also offers car wash and detailing services.
However, Williams stressed, being an entrepreneur challenged her to grow personally and professionally.
The businesswoman noted that self-discipline is perhaps one of the most challenging parts of being her own boss.
“Without expectations from a boss, you will need to source motivation elsewhere.”
She advised: “Losing motivation will happen from time to time, and it is normal. However, you will need to ensure to pick yourself up in order for your business to survive.”
Another area Williams said that challenged her was the responsibility of managing her own capital.
As a businessperson, Williams noted that she is tasked with all the responsibility that comes from running a company.
“From the small things like emails being answered on time, to finding the funding for your next big project, Williams stressed that being the boss means that you will have to keep on top of everyday operations as well as the long term, the bigger picture.
“The success of your work and business will mean that you have the sole responsibility of making it successful. You are also responsible for any employees that you have, which also means that you will need to manage your staff which is not always easy,” she added.
The young entrepreneur noted, however, that being a boss also has its benefits.
According to her: “Perhaps the most prominent and appealing benefit of being your own boss is the flexibility it offers. You are able to set your own hours.”
She said that this is especially good for her given that as a single parent- she gets more time to focus on her boys and her gardening.
Further, she said that owning her business means that she can invest money and make decisions without her decisions being scrutinised and questioned.
“This is a great benefit, especially if you are a strong leader and confident in the decisions you are making. Also, the opportunity for success is endless when it comes to being a business owner. You are able to grow with your business, and if the business is a success, so are you,” added Williams.

DOTING MOTHER
Outside of her work, Williams has another title which she regards as her highest calling- she is a proud mother.
“My sons are 16-year-old Giovanni and 14-year-old Jonathan; Jonathan is a trouble maker – he can play tricks on his brother all day but he is innocent and loving. The oldest is a jack-of-all-trade. They are my sunshine,” the doting mom said.
To fulfill her role as a single parent and businesswoman, she had to learn how to set boundaries.
“I set priorities. As there are only 24 hours in a day, I have to think about my values and set some priorities based on those values. For example, being an involved parent is one of my biggest priorities – setting aside time each night to talk and follow up on their studies, take precedence over relationships or social activities.
“I am raising boys as a single mother. I love that I have the privilege to mold their future and to nurture men. Giovanni recently completed CXC where he acquired 11 subjects- five grade ones. Jonathan is now at St. Joseph’s high school.”
To this end, Williams said she also has her tremendous support system to thank.
“My biggest supporters are my cousin, Elize Chin, and my oldest son, Giovanni, and my grandmother, Veronica Alli, who raised me along with my mom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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