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

Hi Greg, do you think college was worth it?
I graduated Baylor University in 1998. There is so much more you receive than just a quality education. You form lifelong friendships and have an unmatched opportunity for personal development. First, the friendships you form in those four short years last a life time. And I feel that is what life is about; relationships. Though it’s more than just hanging out. The bonds that develop over the years leads to a solid network that has aided my business ventures. My lawyer is a fraternity brother from the Baylor years. Another, a doctor, recently reviewed and edited one of my businesses Coronoaviruses policies and procedures which have kept my employees safer during the pandemic. Second, the personal development opportunities during university is amazing. There are so many opportunities; you just need to take advantage of them. For example, I honed my leadership talent as President of the Golden Key National Honor Society, improved my interpersonal skills as the Secretary of my Fraternity, and had a chance to see the world while studying abroad in the Netherlands. This led to a love of travel, an education you can’t learn in books! Though my love of reading books was nurtured during the long train, bus, and plane rides between the 30 plus countries I had visited. It’s a love that has directly benefited my professional success. If I hadn’t attended university, I definitely doubt the caliber of success I’ve had would not have been. Was the price tag worth it? Absolutely.

What should our readers know about your business?
Hiring the right people determines a business’s success. At Dallas Maids, it boils down to two things:
1) Do they have a hard work ethic.
2) Do they have a good heart. You can’t hire one without the other. And once you hire the perfect cleaner, you treat them with dignity, respect, and what they are worth. From the beginning, I’ve placed the welfare of my employees first, even before clients. Why? Because a good employee is worth more than any customer. For example, I’ve fired $56,000.00 in revenue a year customer because of the indignity my staff endured under one of the owners. Take care of your people and they will take care of the customers. This philosophy has paid off for Dallas Maids. Today, we are the most award-winning house cleaning service in Dallas. We may not be the cheapest, but our customers get the most value for their dollar not to mention an immaculate home cleaning.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
The Dallas area has so many amazing attractions and activities. Here are my common activities when friend and family are in town: Day 1 and 2: Trip to Glen Rose, Texas where we’d stay at Country Woods Inn. Get an old cabin in the woods with farm animals for the kids to feed, woods to explore, and a path to the river for a lazy afternoon of swimming. The must sees are 1) Fossil Rim Wildlife Center (pay for the tour – it’s worth it!), 2) Loco Coyote (Best BBQ in Texas in the middle of nowhere), 3) visit the town square, especially during a Saturday when locals are selling homemade jams and such, and 4) Dinosaur Park. Great to come here during the weekend when not crowded and bathing in one of the most peaceful swimming holes I’ve discovered in Texas. Day 3: A Day strolling outside. First, I’d take them for a walk through the Dallas Arboretum. The scenery is so striking and beautiful; my family has the annual membership. Then, a walk around my neighborhood! I live in Little Forest Hills. Several decades ago, an influx of artists and bohemian types flooded in, attracted to the relative affordability of the homes and the close proximity to the lake. The neighborhood transformed, mirroring it residents whose talent manifested in the colorful landscaping and creative ornamentation. Definitely an entertaining and enjoyable walk. Day 4: Dallas Aquarium. Especially for visitors with kids. It’s like walking through a tropical jungle! Day 5: Kalachandji’s. Walk in to find a colorful vegetarian buffet served in a Buddhist-like Temple with a Zen atmosphere that will provide your mind with spiritual peace. Their website accurately describes this gem: “We practice the timeless Ayurvedic art of cooking for the body, mind and spirit, and all our dishes are prepared with the best ingredients available.” These are my go-to places for enjoying the best Dallas area has to offer.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve read countless of autobiographies of successful people. And the one thing they all have in common is a love of reading. That is the secret to my overwhelming success – a love of reading. And when other business owners approach me to inquire how I have been successful, there are three books I recommend: 1) Own Your Own Corporation by Garret Sutton 2) Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by Harv Eker 3) The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferris

Own Your Own Corporation explains how to set up a business. Secrets of the Millionaire Mind teaches you how to reprogram your mind for success. And The 4-Hour Work Week show you how to work smart, not hard.

Website: https://www.dallasmaids.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dallasmaids/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dallas-maids-llc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dallasmaids
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maids
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dallas-maids-dallas-3
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/dallasmaid
Other: https://www.pinterest.com/dallasmaids/ https://g.page/dallasmaids

Image Credits
Images taken by Greg Shepard or his wife, Dianelly Shepard.