These are all good questions and deserve a serious reply. Mikey P asked what my story is so here goes (if you can't sleep no need for nyquil cuz this will do it).
It all started back when I was 5 years old.. yawn... At that time we lived in Albuquerque New Mexico. Mom and dad couldn't get along so mom moved to Modesto California (not far from Santa Cruz) and dad stayed in Albuquerque. I grew up in Modesto and spent my summers in Albuquerque with dad. Is anyone still awake?
Throughout high school I worked as a janitor and my primary responsibility was to clean carpets. I graduated in 1986 then packed my bags and moved back to Albuquerque and attended the University of NM.
I needed money so I went into a local janitor supply store to purchase cleaning equipment to start a janitorial business. The sales guy talked me into professional rug cleaning instead. His name is Tony Shamrock of local fame and was building portables at the time. So, I went into professional rug cleaning in the fall of 1986.
Shortly thereafter, I realized I could make money sub-contracting for a local bait and switch than working on my own part time. So, I dropped out of college and signed up with Service Steam and baited-n-switched for a year or two.
One thing led to another, I packed up my porty and 175 and moved back to Modesto where I cleaned rugs on my own from about 1988 thru March 1997. I burned up those freeways in the California Central Valley including Modesto, Stockton, Lodi, Sacramento, Tracy, Freemont, Pleasanton, Turlock, Los Banos, Colinga, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Arnold, Murphy’s, Sonora, and every one horse town in between. (Big shout to all you Nor-Cal dudes “Hey!”)
My business was rocking-n-rolling and “rocket fuel” was the chemical of choice back then. But, speed does kill and I almost died in a motorcycle wreck. I was in bad shape and had to get out of rug cleaning fast. So, I sold my business in March of 1997, moved back to Albuquerque, and went into the computer IT industry.
The transition from carpet cleaner to IT specialist went exactly as planned. I started at the bottom, pulling data cable and crap like that, but kept adding certifications to my portfolio. By the time I left the computer industry in December 2005 I was the Manager of Information Systems for the Satellite and Missile Command Center at Kirtland AFB. I had a list of computer certifications a mile long but I hated computers. In order to stay on top of the game you have to study and test constantly.
In December of 2005 I quit my job and jumped back into rug cleaning full time. I bought the Blueline ThermaWave 5m, stuffed it into a half ton E150 (with a couple extra leaf springs) and I’m Back in Black!!!! Out of sight!!!
I wouldn’t trade rug cleaning for any other job in the world. I absolutely love it!!!
Anyhow, I hope this answers your questions and thank you for letting me participate in your forum. I enjoy it here.
Best regards,
George Valliant
Albuquerque Carpet Care
