K Clean/Sweep-Rite

K Clean/Sweep-Rite is a full service janitorial company, providing individualized and specialized services to their increasing customer base.  These services range in scope from labor, equipment, toiletry supplies, window-washing and power-washing to grounds and floor maintenance, upholstery and carpet cleaning, to name a few.  The company was started in May of the year 2000 by Mrs. Alicia Martinez and Mr. Juan M. Martinez, they started by sweeping parking lots for big box stores.  After seven years of sweeping, they expanded their business to include janitorial services.  In December 2007, their daughter Adrianna Daly left her high stress corporate job to join the family business, and bring with her 30 year of experience in marketing, accounting, and financing, as well as her MBA.  After her father’s passing, the company became an S Corporation, with her mother, Alicia, her sister, Myrna Cramer and herself as partners.

Ms. Daly wanted to see her family’s business grow and be successful and she looked toward becoming a prime contractor.  She reached out to the U.S. Small Business Administration and its resource partners to learn about all the services she could use to make her business grow and expand. She applied for 8(a) and Small Disadvantaged Business certifications in July 2009, as well as a loan through LiftFund.  K Clean/Sweep-Rite had struggled in the past with obtaining local funding, and the LiftFund loan was critical to the company’s expansion into being a prime contractor. The janitorial company continues to face some issues related to employee Union expenses, drug testing, and employee availability in general.  However, the SBA training, financial assistance, seminars, marketing and year-end report have been key components in their success and development.

K Clean/Sweep-Rite has grown to 6 million in annual sales, with over 120 employees.  Ms. Daly and her family attribute this success to the SBA assistance received, and to their faith and hard work.  “Working with family is unique,’ Ms. Cramer stated; the focus needs to be on doing what’s best for the company while maintaining respect and affection for each other. Ms. Daly recommends that anyone interested in owning their own small business reach out to the SBA, use the resources available and be open to as much assistance as possible. She states that their accomplishments can be directly traced to her parents’ hard work and dedication.  Her father was a U.S. citizen who grew up in Mexico, upon returning to the United States, he and his wife put themselves through school so they could better help their children with their schoolwork. To this day, Mrs. Martinez still plays an active role in the company and continues to be a role model for her children.