Today we’d like to introduce you to Donielle Jopko.
Hi Donielle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started this business eight years ago while working full-time at a health system. During that time, I faced several personal tragedies, divorce, abuse, trauma, and, like many others, the disturbance from COVID was also thrown in the mix. There were countless moments when I wanted to give up, but I stayed in the fight because helping others truly fills my bucket, and that is the main premise of WLS. We help businesses and their busy people.
Building Work Life Solutions alongside my corporate career gave me the unique opportunity to beta-test the market and explore what’s possible for a boutique project management firm. That time was invaluable; while it wasn’t easy having a full-time job, being a single mother and starting a business, it allowed me to refine the brand and uncover where our services made the greatest impact.
Each year, I conduct a thorough year-end review, and every year, the results tell a compelling story. Our revenue has doubled, tripled, and even quadrupled, confirming what I always believed: businesses need dedicated support to execute people-centered projects that drive productivity, recruitment, retention, and engagement. Through persistence and experimentation, I developed a repeatable process that delivers measurable results in all those areas.
Once I realized I had “cracked the code,” I took a leap of faith and committed to the business full-time nearly two years ago. I haven’t looked back since. The journey has been full of highs and lows, each worth its own celebration, and rich in lessons about resilience, leadership, and purpose.
Looking back, I’m reminded that everything I’ve endured, and overcome, through hard work and a kind heart continues to fuel my motivation. This work is about more than a paycheck; it’s about growth, impact, and helping others shine.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Ha! There’s a greater chance of summiting Mount Everest than starting a business, and having it actually become successful. On the good days, the pride and joy of building something meaningful rival the best feeling in the world. It’s a lot like reaching that Everest summit: the odds are steep, but the reward is indescribable.
As a single parent, I’m driven to model resilience for my son, to show him that he can tackle hard things and come out stronger. Positive client feedback keeps me going too; each kind word reaffirms that what we do matters, one request at a time.
Of course, the journey hasn’t been without its climbs. Every challenge has carried a lesson, and every lesson, a chance to start fresh. A few stand out:
– Learning QuickBooks from my accountant. We would start training sessions at 5 a.m. before heading to my full-time job.
– Navigating my first failed client relationship — reflecting, growing, and refining how I approach partnerships.
– Managing difficult employees and discovering what real leadership requires.
– Surviving an IRS audit (a tough but valuable education — my books have been flawless ever since).
– Balancing the demands of leadership with finding time for myself.
– Learning to cope with the immense pressure that comes with entrepreneurship.
– Having unwavering faith and showing up — even on the hardest days.
I could go on and on, but the truth is, each challenge has brought growth and clarity. Every misstep became a stepping-stone toward who I am today, stronger, wiser, and even more committed to the work I love.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Work Life Solutions Concierge?
Nearly eight years ago, I launched Work Life Solutions Concierge in Greensboro, NC, as a true lifestyle service, running errands, streamlining workflows, and helping busy professionals reclaim time and focus. Like most startups, it evolved. Today, we specialize in project management, corporate relocation, and concierge support designed to prevent burnout, enhance recruitment, and drive retention.
Life has thrown its share of curveballs, trauma, loss, and reinvention among them. But each time I hit a low point, something renewed my faith: a grateful client note, a word of encouragement from a stranger, or simply the quiet satisfaction of creating something meaningful in a world in need of genuine support. That remains my “why”, to lead a business that doesn’t just complete projects, but creates transformation. Whether it’s a seamless relocation or a reimagined productivity process, our goal is to make life and work feel lighter, clearer, and more connected.
Our specialties range from epic corporate events and year-round engagement gifting to full-service relocation management, from decluttering and packing to unpacking, organizing, space planning, and furnishing through our trade-only design accounts. We also offer lifestyle management support, adaptable to each client’s needs. Whether we’re supporting one executive or an entire team, every service is intentional, built to align with business goals and deliver measurable outcomes.
What I’m most proud of is that our brand has stood the test of time and challenge. Work Life Solutions remains known for its white-glove, high-touch approach — a level of care, discretion, and personalization that has become our signature.
If there’s one thing readers should know, it’s this: when you join our client portfolio, it’s not a one-and-done transaction. This is a relationship business. We partner with companies to help their people — and their success — truly thrive.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Resilience, faith, adaptability, and empathy — those four qualities have shaped both my story and my success. There was a time when I quite literally didn’t even own a spoon, yet day after day, I kept trying, kept working, and kept showing up.
Resilience taught me perseverance; faith, belief, and trust helped me transform pain into purpose — turning personal hardships into something beautiful and meaningful. My journey may be rooted in struggle, but what emerged from it is strength and clarity.
Adaptability has allowed me to grow through failure, learning to pivot and evolve from beta-testing services while working full-time to refining offerings that truly meet market needs. And empathy remains at the core of it all — understanding not just what clients ask for, but what they genuinely need to improve their lives and their work.
Alongside these, my entrepreneurial spirit fuels everything I do. I’m driven by curiosity, creativity, and the belief that there’s always a way forward — even when the path isn’t clear. That same drive compels me to mentor and encourage other entrepreneurs who are in their own seasons of building and refining. I know what it feels like to start from nothing and build something meaningful, and I want others to know that their efforts matter — that staying in the fight is worth it.
Together, these qualities remind me daily that success isn’t just about achievement — it’s about growth, grace, and the impact we leave behind.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wlsconcierge.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wlsconcierge/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
