A Clean Sweep To Success: Michael Piendel, Owner of Southeast Cleaning Services

Patch: When did you start your business? And where are you located?

Piendel: Southeast Cleaning Services was started in August of 2007. We are located throughout Hillsborough and Pasco County with our commercial and residential cleaning coverage areas ranging from South Pasco to New Tampa to South Tampa to Oldsmar.

Patch: Please describe what you do.

Piendel: We have four divisions to our company. We have a maid service (residential cleaning) that is typically run between 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Our commercial cleaning division is mainly the same type of service but for businesses and is run 24/7. We have a new construction division that consists of cleaning newly built buildings before the owner occupies the building. This is a state wide services that has done buildings from 1,000 square feet to over 250,000 square feet. We also offer waste removal, hauling and recycling services.

Patch: What has been the biggest challenge as a business owner?

Piendel: Being an employee driven business hiring and maintaining quality individuals is probably the biggest challenge. Superior customer service is also very time consuming and challenging but is probably the most important this you can do in the service industry. You need to make yourself stand out from the crowd.

Patch: What's the best piece of business advice you've received?

Piendel: Great question! The best advice I have ever received is “Get it off your desk!” Meaning don’t waste your time on things like payroll, taxes, bookkeeping, etc. These things are not expensive to farm out and it allows you to concentrate on what you need to do to keep your business running smoothly and growing.

Patch: What's the most rewarding thing about being  business owner?

Piendel: The most rewarding thing about being a business owner is that it’s something you built. You get a lot of satisfaction from seeing the progress that you make each year. It may be the toughest job you’ve ever had, but you can step back and say “Look what I’ve made this into, out of nothing!”

Patch: What encouragement would you give another person venturing out on their own or on their own and facing difficulties?

Piendel: Surround yourself with other smart business owners you can trust. Listen to them, brainstorm with them and don’t be afraid to ask questions. This is why groups like WABA are so important. Not only do you refer business to each other but you can make incredible connections and life-long friendships.

For more information about Southeast Cleaning Services call: (866) 567-4463 or visit their website: http://www.secleaning.com/