Janitorial Company Cleans Up With Planning, Assistance
Symmonez LLC Commercial Cleaning of Hillsborough County
Maureen Simmons wanted a shift and career change in her life, so she launched her cleaning business in 2019 in Tampa. Her goal is to minimize troubles and maximize a clean environment for her clients and to build strong relationships with her workers.
Simmons has several mentors and after speaking with them about issues with her business plan, contract bidding, how to find clients and long-term growth, she knew she needed some additional assistance. One of her mentors suggested the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of South Florida as a go-to resource.
Since initially reaching out to the Florida SBDC at USF, Simmons has worked with several business consultants and achieved many of her goals, including business certification and general sales growth.
“They have helped me tremendously with my business plan,” she said. “It was a rough draft and they took it, chopped it up, dissected it, and returned it.”
Business consultant Simplice Essou helped Simmons with research and marketing surveys in the Tampa Bay area to help expand her clientele. She also worked with Eileen Rodriguez, who helped her obtain her woman-owned and minority-owned certifications for her business. She worked with yet another consultant to set up her financial projections and various Excel spreadsheets.
As a result of the assistance received through the Florida SBDC at USF, Simmons was able to earn a contract with the Florida Department of Transportation.
Though COVID-19 was a rough patch for her business and many others, Simmons was able to push through with the continued help of the Florida SBDC at USF.
“Right now we only have three part-time employees,” she said. “My goal is to at least have five, and in May of 2023, at least have ten. I am going to need the SBDC to help me reevaluate and reignite.”
She added, “We need resources, mentors and leadership like the SBDC to implement and instill knowledge and research and educate us on how to catapult and ascend our businesses in 2023.”
