MARIE Teme
29 | Green Vision Cleansing, LLC | CEO
Residence: Burlington
Career highlight(s): The career highlight I'm most proud of is my cleaning business growth in a year, in the middle of a pandemic. I started my cleaning business with no car, no equipment – not even a mop. But my determination, and my passion and the support of the community has helped me to accomplish what I have 
accomplished today.
Despite the challenges, I keep moving.
Community Involvement: My community involvement includes a monthly donation at Teen Challenge Ministry, donations and volunteer work for Sleep in Heavenly Place, volunteering at my church as a preschool Bible teacher, volunteering at the refugee resettlement camp (before the pandemic), giving in my home country in my high school, I have a free Facebook group where I teach entrepreneurship for free to people from Africa. Last year, I helped 7 people create their business plans for free and 2 have started their businesses and are making money out of it.
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont? I came to Vermont by intuition. Before coming to Vermont, I had never heard about Vermont. Living in Africa I was familiar with a lot of states but I never heard about Vermont. When I had the opportunity to come to the USA as student summer worker, I had 3 choices. And intuitively, I chose Vermont 3 times which was weird. I was called back by the sponsors if I wanted to make any changes, I said "that's my choice".
And since I came, I like living here, I love the people, I love vibe, the community oriented kind of live. And the reason why I have a business here is because I love the people. Because to me, there is no service without love. You cannot serve people you don't love.
Favorite part of your job: My favorite part of my job is when I meet clients for the first time. The first I meet a client, I bring them flowers and thank you note. People are always wowed by that. I like the way they are amazingly surprised.
And that's exactly what I want. My cleaning business is not an ordinary cleaning service. We are selling an experience. And that starts with our natural cleaning products that sell good with relaxing properties.
Most inspiring mentor and why: My most inspiring person in my life is not necessarily a mentor for me. Is late Dr Myles Munroe. Because he came from a very poor family and became very rich by discovering his purpose in life. His faith in God and his love and passion for knowledge.
What is the best career advice you have received? The best career advice I have received is that I should always do what I love doing not because of money.
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know: Few people know that I can’t ride a bike, that I’m can’t swim
What three words best describe you: Three words that best describe me are: courageous, generous, perseverance
Favorite Vermont escape: My favorite Vermont escape are waterfront, Stowe (anywhere in the wood).
Favorite Super Hero and why: My favorite super hero is Jesus he saved the world from darkness to light.
Favorite Social Media and why: My favorite social media is Facebook. I use it for my business.
Person you would most like to share a Vermont beverage with: The person I'd most like to share a Vermont beverage with is brother Roland.
If you had unlimited access to funds, which cause(s) would you support: I would launch the building of the orphanage and school I’m working on.
What is the one song on your playlist that are you embarrassed to tell your best friend? I don’t have any song I will be embarrassed to tell my friend.
Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 5-10 years? In the next 5-10 years I'd like to earn a million dollars annually. Have my orphanage built and welcoming the kids.
What career goal(s) would you like to accomplish in the next 5-10 years? The career goals I'd like to accomplish in the next 5-10 years are: be the leader in the cleaning industry, scale my coaching business.
How has your community service changed since the pandemic? I'm now careful about where I spend my time because I have keep myself safe for the people I'm serving.
Wearing mask when I'm cleaning some houses.
How has your job changed since this pandemic? During the pandemic, my job has changed I haven’t work before the pandemic. I was supposed to officially lunch my business in March 2020 but I couldn’t and I launched it in July 2020. So I have just adapted to the pandemic.