Meet Lezli Harvey | Owner of Willow Tree housekeeping & Vacation Rental Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lezli Harvey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lezli, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The process that went behind me starting my own business was solely on the ability to be a mom as well as a provider when needed as I was playing both rolls of mom and dad. Owning my own business allowed me to set my own hours, my own pay and be available to my family as needed

What should our readers know about your business?
I think what sets our business apart from others is that we like to personalize our service to the needs of the client. I also think the old timer level of customer service I expect from my self and my employees doesn’t seem important to other businesses these days. I was brought up, that the customer was always right. Along with offering housekeeping services we came up with a product made with all natural ingredient to use as our all purpose cleaner. It contains only organic ingredients and smells great!

The biggest challenge that I had to overcome was my lack of self-confidence. I hated talking with people on the phone, let alone go to their home and speak to them face to face. It was something I had to get over and quickly. Unfortunately I was put into a position in 2014 where I was about to loose my house and my ex-husband at the time went to prison. I didn’t have enough income to to pull my house out of foreclosure. So, it was do or die time. I had to get over my lack of confidence and know that my kids needed me to be strong and buck up. So I did.

Being a problem solver I think has always been a strong suit of mine. It has helped me through so many twists and turns in my life. I don’t give up easily so being a good problem solve has helped keep our business afloat many times.

I started housekeeping and started making about $780 a week. That was the most money I had ever made. Today my business is bringing in $29,000 a month and I have 11 employees. Before the Pandemic we had hit $42,000 and had 17 employees.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I grew up in our little Norwegian town of Poulsbo, which has become quite the destination for tourists. For some of the best food and views in town I would definitely venture downtown Poulsbo to The Loft. They have both indoor and outdoor seating and a beautiful view of the Liberty bay. Fresh seafood, pastas and burgers and the best lemon drop you will ever have. If your a beer connoisseur, just down the steps from The loft is The slippery Pig Brewery. My friend from high school Dave & his wife started the brewery at their farm and were so successful with their beer they opened a shop. If your more of a sider person, Bushel & Barrel which is 10 minutes from town. Poulsbo is well known for Sluys Bakery. They offer some of the best fresh donuts and bread you will truly ever taste. You had better get their early as there is usually a long line.

Our backyard is literally the entrance to the Olympic Pennisula which also offers so so many things to do. Located in Brinnon, WA is The Hamma Hamma oyster farm. When I have out of town visitors, this is one of my favorite places to take them. They have many local beers on tap, along with fresh or baked oysters on the half shell, steamed clams, crab cakes. This place is right on the water and offers covered seating area outside all year long and often live music. I would also take a jaunt up to the Sequim/Port Angels area where you can goto the Sequim lavendar farm or drive around Lake Crescent and visit the Lake Crescent lodge and Marymere Falls.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to my three kids, Payton(28) Alex (25) & Lauren (21). They supported, worked for free and endured my long start up hours. They cooked meals, cleaned house, helped each other with homework so I could be out providing for our family. Two out of my three kids eventually became employees of my business and helped manage. They did everything from grunt work to management work. This business wouldn’t be as successful as it is today if I hadn’t had all three of them by my side. I also have to give a huge shoutout to my new husband Gene, who also encouraged me in all directions. He has come with me at 3:30a in the morning to let guests in who had locked themselves out. He has been fixed work equipment and built me a workshop so we could move the business out of my home. The support, love and effort was so helpful.

Website: www.willowtreehk.com

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