Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Jones.
Robert, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am an active Duty Sailor, stationed with a Marine Corps unit as the senior medical provider. In 2016, while on deployment in the western Pacific, I decided the time to start my own business as I prepare to transition out the military (at my 20-year mark, I have been in for 15 years now).
I researched various entrepreneur opportunities and spend countless hours trying to find the right fit. The goal was always to find something that I could learn, grow on my own, and assist other military members with. I went from starting a barber shop all the way to staring a moving company (both are needed by military members). After all my research, I realized that 1, I didn’t have any barber capabilities, nor did I have the luxury of going to school since I was constantly gone on deployments and 2, a moving company required more than just myself, a large start-up cost, and working hours that conflicted with my obligation as a Sailor and leader.
After going back to the drawing board, it hit me, I live in military housing, I have moved my family three times in three years and one thing was constant, I had to pay to get my carpets cleaned in order to receive my deposit back.
The reason carpet cleaning sparked something in me; was the cost associated with having them cleaned. I couldn’t find a military friendly companies although the community I lived in was a huge asset to their business.
That’s when I decided to look into the process of opening a carpet cleaning service, the training needed, start-up cost, etc. and realized I could be the one who provided affordable service to my brothers and sister in arms as well as my community.
In 2017, I opened Man vs. Carpet in San Diego, CA. Four months after opening, I got called to another deployment that lasted six months. Upon return, I got the business up and running again for three months just to be called on one last two months deployment.
After that last deployment, I transferred to a non-deployable unit which is where I am at now. The greatest issue was that I started to build my brand in San Diego just before being sent to the Los Angeles County area. So we are here now, serving in uniform from 0800 until 1530 and cleaning carpets from 1600 until the last one each night. The luxury of being stationed in a non-deployable unit is that I now have time to grow my business at a consistent part-time pace. The goal is to transfer all the part-time freedom into a place of full-time requirements. With just me at the wheel, I am striving to get busy enough to hire an employee and make them a full-time carpet cleaning provider. These are just steps in preparation for the 20 years mark in the Military and to assist with the transition into a civilian world.
Has it been a smooth road?
Not at all. The same struggle that every small business has faced, so have we. One of the largest obstacles is working in an industry that doesn’t have many public templates, go-by’s, mentorship, and benchmarks. One good example is the utilization of the small business authority resource checklist. Many business use this tool to understand everything they need to begin operations. However, Carpet cleaning is rarely on statistical radars. Essentially, the beginning of the road incorporated a lot of research, a lot of time wasted, and a lot of lessons learned.
Greater than that, the military factor has created a rocky road. Once I began operations, I went on deployment. This happened several times. In addition, once my brand began to have momentum in San Diego, the Navy decided to send me to L.A. County. Now that I’m here, there are many small missions that require me to be out of town, which essentially puts a pause on the actual performance being conducted. This has forced me into a position where I do double the work in order to compensate for the week here or there that I have to leave.
Not to say that the challenge is not inspiring; it is. However, the road has not/is not smooth.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Proudest moment:
Making the decision to begin commercial carpet cleaning. The process to become certified as a vendor in LA County is a daunting task. However, We have gone through the process and received all the certifications we set out to acquire.
• IICRC Certified
• EBE
• VSBE
• LA COUNTY
• LA CITY VENDOR
• DUNS
• LAUSD
• LSBE
• LSBE
• VSBE
• MINORITY BUSINESS
What we do:
• Commercial carpet cleaning
• Residential carpet cleaning
• Upholstery cleaning
• Tile & Grout cleaning
• Rug cleaning
• Mattress cleaning
• Pet Stain removal
• Food stain removal
• Odor removal
• Carpet dyeing
• Hot Water Extraction
• Steam cleaning
What sets us apart:
• Veteran Owned
• 100% Quote guarantee
• Competitive rates
• Same day servicing
• 10% Lower price match for new commercial contracts
• Emergency servicing
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Los Angeles is a great place for carpet cleaning services. The demand is high, and the opportunities are limitless. Rather an individual only does residential or desires to grow into commercial, the ability to expand is solely based upon ones desire, drive, ambition, and capabilities.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.manvscarpet.com
- Phone: 626-363-4176
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManvsCarpet/
- Twitter: @MvsCarpet
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/man-vs-carpet-cleaning-company-hacienda-heights-5
- Other: https://www.thumbtack.com/-Hacienda-Heights-CA/service/3313710
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
