Q. Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
A. Americlean is an indoor air quality company that specializes in decontamination of air ducts and mold remediation. Our services include indoor air quality assessments, abatement of contaminants, and remediation services via removal and cleaning. We offer cleaning and disinfection of indoor environments to protect occupant’s health, especially now during the pandemic, Americlean offers specialized cleaning and disinfection via electrostatic and ultra-low volume fogging. In addition, we offer highly specialized cleaning of residential and commercial facilities. Americlean currently works in the metropolitan area: Northern Virginia, Maryland, and DC.
Q. Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
A. Americlean employees are continuously being trained with the latest protocols for the cleaning of air ducts, mold remediation, and decontamination techniques. The director of operations is an industrial hygienist that has a degree in occupational health and industrial hygiene. Americlean is licensed by the state of Virginia as an Asbestos Abatement Contractor and it is member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association with Air System Cleaning Specialists (ASCS) on Staff. Americlean is also a member of the Indoor Air Quality Association and its decontamination projects are monitored by a Board-Certified Indoor Environmental Professional.
Q. What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
A. Americlean is a family organization that has been in business since 1984. With over 36 years of experience in cleaning air conveyance systems, we are truly motivated to be in business to improve indoor environments and protect the health of building occupants by monitoring air quality and cleaning and disinfecting when necessary.
Q. What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
A. The main recommendation we may share with other business owners is the importance of protecting the employees who are performing cleaning and decontamination activities. Employee safety is paramount for the success of any business, but particularly for those organizations involved in remediation and cleaning. A well trained and motivated employee can make a world of a difference. Therefore, investing time, money, and dedication to your employees is the key to the success of your business.
Q. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
A. We may not fully know what top three skills are needed to be a successful entrepreneur, but we do know the top three skills needed to be a professional air duct cleaning and remediation company. Firstly, build a comprehensive understating of air quality, building mechanical components, and building materials. Second, once you have built this knowledge, it will help you to formulate plans for identifying any deficiencies that can affect indoor air quality and to fix them. Third, you will also require the management skills for properly directing personnel to execute work safely, while at the same time protecting the indoor environment.
Q. How many hours do you work a day on average?
A. On average, each employee works an eight-hour day, but at times it has been necessary to work overtime to address urgent indoor air quality concerns. This sometimes requires balancing the needs of the customers with the needs of our employees.
Q. To what do you most attribute your success?
A. Teamwork and knowledge of the task at hand.
Q. How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
A. We are a technical oriented company that values our customers and employees, and strives to accomplish our mission to the best of our ability. Customers seem to appreciate this fact, as most of our business comes from repeat customers and referrals.
Q. Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
A. After 36 years of existing as a successful indoor air quality business, Americlean is completely self-financed.
Q. What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
A. Employee participation. An employee who simply shows up between clocking in and out cannot compare to someone who is active in their duties and cares about the quality of their work.
Q. Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
A. Continuing to accomplish our mission statement.
Q. Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
A. Tesla, for their vision and innovating approach to their products.
Q. How important have good employees been to your success?
A. Extremely important. Americlean is a “people dependent” company. Hence, our success is a direct result of our employees. We are a technical oriented company that values our employees and strive to accomplish our mission to the best of our ability.
