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

Hi Bethany, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The thought process behind starting Domestique LLC was seeing a need for on-demand domestic assistance for busy professionals and families. Prior to starting my business, I was a high-profile nanny and household manager for 15 years. I found that a lot of my full-time employers friends were consistently telling me how they would love to have some help for home organization, event planning, handyman services, and all of the things they don’t have time to tackle from day-to-day. I started facilitating projects like this on the side in my free time to see if this is something that could turn into a full-time business opportunity. Within 18 months of doing side gigs I quit my full-time job and Domestique was born!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Domestique LLC was born in March of 2015. I was burned out from working long weeks as a high profile nanny and house manger. I saw a need for what I was doing full-time for clients in the capacity of an a-la-cart style for others. There are so many busy families and working professionals that can’t keep up with the demands of maintaining a good work/home life balance. I started marketing on Facebook mom’s groups. I booked quite a few jobs with previous clients as soon as I left my full-time job. I used to think I worked a lot of hours as a nanny and house manager. Long hours, sporadic ever changing schedules, last minute work trips, etc. In reality, that schedule was preparation for the immense amount of hours I work as a business owner. Only this time around, the work is put in for my family’s financial future and life plan! I think the most important lesson I have learned as an entrepreneur is to NOT give up. There were so many times I wanted to throw in the towel during he first 5 years. We weren’t making a lot of money and those life lessons seemed to come at us relentlessly, one after another. Looking back these business set backs were learning lessons for how to grow personally, professionally and financially.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This question is right up my alley! We offer concierge experiences to clients as part of our services offered. Here is a little itinerary I have going on this week for a guest that is in town from North Carolina:

Monday:

Sprinter to pickup family at PHX, take to Blanco (Queso is a must!) for lunch. After lunch, driver takes client to McCormick Railroad park. Driver delivers client and bags to their luxury vacation rental home for 4pm check-in

Chef to arrive at 6pm to prep for an 8pm plated surf and turf dinner of filet and lobster tails

Tuesday:

8:30-11am: In-home manicures and pedicures for the ladies
11am: Driver arrives to take adults to Buck and Rider (try the ceviche!) for lunch and drinks after at Mastro’s City Hall (Best espresso martinis in town!)
3-7pm: Massage therapist arrives for 4 one hour massages
6pm: Chef arrives for gourmet bbq ribeye and chicken dinner

Weds:

7am: Private poolside yoga class

9:30am-1:30pm: Sprinter arrives for a family activity of The Phoenix Children’s Museum, Butterly Wonderland or Sealife Aquarium (TBD), Lunch to follow after at Pizzeria Bianco or similar

6-10pm: Sprinter arrives to take adults to Canal Club for cocktails, followed by Toca Madera for dinner

Thursday:

8am: Drivers arrive to take guests departing today to airport
11am: Black SUV to pickup remaining 4 guests for family activity. Phoenix Zoo and lunch at Arcadia Farms Cafe
6:30pm: Black SUV to take remaining guests to Steak 44 for a dinner date.

Friday:

8am: Sprinter arrives to take family to PHX airport

We love to customize itineraries based on group dynamics for maximum vacation enjoyment!


The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to dedicate my shoutout story to my parents, Jean and Bill Gentry. I am grateful that they provided my sisters and I a stable foundation for us to become successful, grounded and empowered women and entrepreneurs. My sister Amy is also a business owner of Innovative Title and Escrow in Cleveland Ohio (shout out!) and my sister Cammy is an analyst for the real estate division of a pension fund in Columbus. Growing up my mom was a hustler! She toted us along on phone book delivery gigs from the back of a pickup truck. She had a small cleaning business of her own. As her clients started having children it was a natural transition for me to start nannying for them. My father is one of the hardest working men I know. He was a truck driver for a steel company by day (3am wake-ups to not getting home until late evenings at times!) and we also had a small family farm in Central Ohio. My dad had me selling corn out of the back of a pickup truck as a little kid, pulling my wagon around our neighborhood selling fresh produce, delivering newspapers, etc. to learn the value of hard work and how to manage money. I am very lucky to have had such a rock solid support system! I also owe a big shout out to my boyfriend and life partner Mark Coyle. He joined me on this journey from day 1 and is my rock. Domestique wouldn’t be where it is today without his endless support.

Website: www.yourdomestique.com

Instagram: @yourdomestique

Linkedin: Bethany Gentry (Owner)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourdomestique/

Other: Domestique Phone : 602.753.7597 (Call or Text)

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.