October 1995 – Current

Seeking a more positive and growth-oriented environment, I accepted a part-time position in the office at what was then ServiceMaster of St. Joseph while continuing my education. I started with basic administrative duties such as answering phones, scheduling jobs, invoicing, and creating work orders. Over time, I was entrusted with larger responsibilities, including developing a company-wide safety program complete with weekly team meetings.

As the company prepared for a major transition—rebranding and changing our name—I was promoted to a role in sales and marketing to help lead the shift. This was before the era of websites and digital advertising, so my efforts focused on face-to-face outreach, organizing radio promotions, distributing paper coupons, coordinating newspaper ads, and other grassroots marketing strategies.

I suppose you could say I fell in love with the work—because I never left. Today, that same company, now known as Kent Kleen, LLC, is proudly celebrating its 41st year in business. (For more info on our story, visit here) Over the decades, we’ve experienced many transformations—from operating as a large-scale company to intentionally scaling back so that, as owners, we’re personally involved in every job, every time.

Throughout the years, I’ve worn countless hats—administrative, operational, sales, marketing, and more—which has given me a deep understanding of what it takes to run a business at every level. Whether managing a large team or rolling up my sleeves on a hands-on project, I’ve come to appreciate every aspect of building and sustaining a successful, service-driven company.