It’s long been said that necessity is the mother of invention … and this was certainly true for Derbyshire mum Nicole Carter.
An unfortunate stomach bug involving all three of her children plunged the family into a carpet crisis … and created the inspiration for a whole new business.
Now, supported by regular advertisements in Reflections, the Peak District’s first female-run carpet cleaning business, Mrs Carter’s Carpets, is finding an appreciative – and growing – audience.
“Each one of my cleaning projects so far has come from my advertisements in Reflections magazine,” says Nicole. “Print advertising in a high-quality magazine, delivered straight into people’s homes, has proved a really effective way to engage with new customers.
“As soon as a new month’s edition is distributed, I’ve had enquiries. I’m also aware that people keep copies of magazines and print features for when a certain need arises!”
Nicole discovered her flair for carpet cleaning while dealing with her own family household incident. She began learning all she could about carpets and how to care for them properly – researching the best machines before investing in high end professional equipment.
She was mentored by a local industry veteran, who provided hands-on training, giving her the confidence to take on more complex projects.
Today, Mrs Carter’s Carpets offers professional cleaning for carpets, rugs, stairs and upholstery, using the best quality professional equipment and a careful, considered approach.
“Print advertising in a high-quality magazine, delivered straight into people’s homes, has proved a really effective way to engage with new customers.”
For Nicole, the focus is on people. “I think people appreciate that we understand what real homes look like,” she explains. “They love that it’s another mum coming in and cleaning their homes. We understand chaos and mess … we’ve seen it and lived it.
“Having people in your home can be daunting for some people, but I’ve found our professional approach has been really effective.
“All our products are carefully chosen to be safe for homes with children and pets. We take the time to explain the process to our clients so they know exactly what to expect.”
Derbyshire is a long way from her Australian roots but Nicole, her husband and their children have called it home for more than 10 years. “We love the area and its people and we’ve had so much support while starting the business,” adds Nicole.
Mrs Carter’s Carpets offers a friendly, flexible service with attention to detail whether it’s a single room, a staircase or a full house. As her business continues to grow, Nicole is always happy to chat and provide a free, no obligation quote.
