Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Emory.
Hi Nina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I didn’t start out with a grand plan to build a business or write a book. I started by working hard, figuring things out as I went, and learning through real-life experience. From a young age, I naturally stepped into leadership roles, whether it was in school, fitness, or the workplace. Over time, I realized I had a gift for understanding people, especially when it came to hiring, managing, and building strong teams.
After college, I moved into management and quickly found myself responsible for hiring and leading others with very little formal training. Instead of struggling, I leaned into what came naturally to me, creating a positive environment, hiring people who aligned with values, and building teams that actually wanted to stay. That early experience shaped everything that followed.
I went on to build and grow my own cleaning business, A Diamond in the Rough Cleaning, where I’ve spent over two decades refining systems, developing leaders, and maintaining long-term employees and clients. While many businesses struggle with turnover, I focused on culture, core values, and hiring for the right fit, which allowed my business to grow with stability and consistency.
Along the way, I faced personal and professional challenges that forced me to grow, strengthen my mindset, and become more intentional in how I lead and communicate. Those experiences became part of the foundation of my approach.
Over the years, I realized that many business owners were struggling with the same problems I had already solved, especially when it came to hiring and retaining great employees. That’s what led me to write my book, The Employee Whisperer: The Art of Hiring, Managing, and Retaining Top Talent. It’s a practical, real-world guide based on decades of hands-on experience, not theory.
Today, I continue to run my business while also helping other small business owners improve their hiring, leadership, and retention strategies through consulting, speaking, and training. My goal is simple: to help leaders build strong, reliable teams so they can grow their businesses without constant stress and turnover.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve faced both personal and professional challenges that required resilience and growth.
In the early years, I stepped into leadership roles without formal training, but hiring was something that came naturally to me. I developed a strong instinct for reading people and understanding who would be the right fit. Most of my hiring decisions worked out well, and many of those employees stayed long-term.
The few mistakes I made weren’t from a lack of ability, but from going against my own instincts. I knew in certain situations that someone wasn’t the right fit, but hired them anyway, and those decisions always confirmed the importance of trusting my gut.
At the same time, I was navigating personal challenges that impacted my confidence and mindset. There were seasons where I had to rebuild, not just my business, but myself. Learning how to set boundaries, trust my decisions, and lead with confidence was a process.
Over time, those experiences helped me become more intentional in how I hire, lead, and build culture. They also shaped the principles behind my book, where I now help other business owners avoid costly hiring mistakes and build strong, reliable teams.
Looking back, the road wasn’t smooth, but it was necessary. Every challenge reinforced what works, what doesn’t, and ultimately strengthened both my business and my leadership.
As you know, we’re big fans of A Diamond in the Rough Cleaning Service. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I own and operate Diamond in the Rough Cleaning, where we provide residential and commercial cleaning services with a strong focus on quality, consistency, and long-term relationships. We specialize in detailed and restaurant cleaning, where precision and reliability are critical.
In addition to that, I also run ADR Staffing, Recruiting, and Consulting, where I help service-based businesses build stronger, more reliable teams. I don’t just staff positions. I take the time to understand each company’s core values, culture, and expectations so I can match them with the right individuals who will truly fit and stay.
What sets me apart is that I’m not a traditional staffing company. I work closely with business owners to solve the root problems behind hiring and retention, guiding them through better hiring processes, leadership, and team development.
I’m known for my ability to quickly identify the right people and create systems that reduce turnover and improve team performance. That’s what led me to write my book, The Employee Whisperer: The Art of Hiring, Managing, and Retaining Top Talent, where I share real-world strategies built over decades of experience.
What I’m most proud of is the culture I’ve built and the consistency I’ve maintained. My clients stay, my employees stay, and the businesses I work with begin to see real, lasting change.
At the end of the day, I don’t just fill positions… I build teams that last
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I like most about Fort Mill is the balance it offers. It has that small-town feel, but it’s right next to Charlotte, which allows me to serve a larger area and grow my business across both communities. It’s a great location for connecting with people, building relationships, and expanding opportunities.
What I like least… I’d have to say the traffic on I-77. At this point, I think everyone who lives here just builds an extra 20 minutes into their schedule and prays for the best. Some days it flows, and other days you’re sitting there wondering if you should’ve packed a snack and a devotion for the road. But honestly, it just comes with the growth of the area, and it’s a small trade-off for everything Fort Mill has to offer.
Pricing:
- Customized pricing based on scope, size, and level of detailri
- Residential and commercial cleaning quoted individually for consistency and quality
- Restaurant and detailed cleaning priced based on complexity and specific needs
- Staffing, recruiting, and consulting tailored to each business’s goals and structure
- Focused on long-term value, reliability, and results rather than lowest-cost pricing
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.adiamondintheroughcleaning.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninaburris/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nina.b.emory
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nina-amaya-recruiter
- Twitter: https://x.com/ninabemory
- Other: https://share.google/rSsGmejVwsR3xbmGs
