Melissa McIntire established American Domestic Agency, Inc., after years of working as a nanny. Frustrated by a local agency's lack of respect for both the applicants and the clients they worked with, Melissa decided it was time to investigate opening her own agency. Melissa spent almost a year researching the industry to determine the feasibility of opening an agency.
Melissa has always adored children. Her high school summers were spent as a counselor at a camp for blind children. To help pay her college tuition, Melissa began her career as a nanny and cared for children as if they were her own.
In the beginning, Melissa held interviews at a local coffee shop. If a client requested a meeting, Melissa would travel to their home. Thanks to the referrals her clients and applicants gave her, American Domestic Agency has grown. After the first few years in business, the operation was moved to Concord Plaza, a professional office complex located 3519 Silverside Road in Wilmington.
Since you now know the history behind this family owned and operated agency, meet Lin:
Lin Taylor-Pleiman was recruited by Melissa as a research assistant during the early phases. Lin became so intrigued with the prospect of opening a domestic staffing agency, that she was an easy sell as partner to her daughter, Melissa.
With a background in business, Lin wrote the business plan and established business practices. The opening loan was repaid within the first year, and the business was off to a strong start. The day to day business operations are conducted in Lin's Maryland office.
Both Lin and Melissa are skilled in matching clients and applicants. Either partner would be happy to assist both applicants and clients in anyway we can, including post placement assistance. We meet 99% of our applicants in person, and usually work with busy clients via phone and fax, however clients are welcomed to come in and meet us, and have all their questions answered face to face. Simply call for an appointment!
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
We feel that giving back to the community is a civic duty and is something that we gain great personal satisfaction from.
Melissa and a group of nannies make regular visits to a Newark DE orphanage bringing occasional goodies, but more importantly, spending time with children who are in the foster care system, or awaiting an adoption. "The warm reception the nannies gain from the welcoming children is a feeling that just can't be beat" states nanny Wanda of Newark, DE.
Lin adopted a sweet little 4 year old boy from Russia in 2000. Prior to making two trips to Far East Asia, Lin wanted to connect with others adopting from this region, and found it very difficult. She created a listserver group in 2000 and in 2003 transferred this group to a Yahoo listserver, which currently has 386 subscribers.
The group was created to promote homes for the orphans in Far East Russia. By offering friendship, support and information to families and singles considering adopting. Through this venue, there is an open exchange if information on regions, the people and culture and discussions on collective experiences. Simply stated, our hearts ache for all the parentless children of the world and wanted to create an information forum for adoptive and perspective adoptive parents. Lin also created an informative website to support the list server. Although not updated in several years, you can read more about the subject, if you wish at http://www.khabarovskadoptions.homestead.com, where you can read about Lin's journey to adopt her son.
