Doug D
Supportive Member
Any question as to whether the idea of the American dream is anything more than a myth may be answered by looking to the life of Topeka businessman Trinidad Chavez.
Born in Williamstown, a tiny railroad town northwest of Lawrence at the start of the Great Depression, nearly everything about Chavez's humble beginnings would suggest a life of hardship. As the oldest son, he was forced to abandon high school before graduation to help provide for his family.
"The unique thing about my dad was that he was the oldest of 14 children," said Daniel Chavez, Trinidad's youngest of two sons. "He grew up outside of Lawrence in a railroad car — his birth certificate actually said 'railroad yard.' He had to quit school in the 10th grade because, at that point, his family needed him to start working. He had to do his part with such a big family.
"I think that's why he's always been about getting things done."
By the time of his death last week at 82 years old, Trinidad Chavez had turned the business he started in his garage, Chavez Restoration & Cleaning, into one of the leading cleaning and disaster restoration businesses in the Midwest. The business, which is now owned and operated by his sons Daniel and Richard Chavez, utilizes about 25 vehicles and employs about 30 people specializing in fire and water restorations.
Daniel Chavez said his father knew from the beginning what he would face as a minority business owner. Because Trinidad knew some people would oppose having a minority working in their home, Chavez decided to keep his name on the business to avoid confusion.
"It could have just as easily been called Capital City Cleaners," Daniel Chavez said, "but it wouldn't have prevented that from happening."
Concern for his customers coupled with hard work and training helped his father's business grow, Daniel Chavez said. It wasn't a surprise then that their father sent his sons across the country for their own training in the family business, helping the business grow and add more services.
"He wanted to be good at what he did," Chavez said. "He actually cared. He wanted to make things better, whether that was someone with a dirty carpet or a house or business fire, we did our part to make the situation better."
But it wasn't until recently that Chavez said he learned his father's work helped more than just his own family.
"I had a gentlemen call out of the blue who said he runs a business in southeastern Kansas," Chavez said. "At first, I thought he was blowing smoke. He said he grew up knowing about my dad's business and at some point he thought, 'If he can do it, why can't I?'
"It's hard to know the extent (of how he impacted the community), but I was really taken aback. I thought at first he was trying to sell me something."
This story comes from the Topeka Capital Journal by Kevin Elliot December 21, 2010
Sorry for you loss Richard, Dan and family! Our thoughts and prayers are there for you and your families!
Doug D.
New Life Carpet & Furniture Cleaning
Spearfish, SD
Born in Williamstown, a tiny railroad town northwest of Lawrence at the start of the Great Depression, nearly everything about Chavez's humble beginnings would suggest a life of hardship. As the oldest son, he was forced to abandon high school before graduation to help provide for his family.
"The unique thing about my dad was that he was the oldest of 14 children," said Daniel Chavez, Trinidad's youngest of two sons. "He grew up outside of Lawrence in a railroad car — his birth certificate actually said 'railroad yard.' He had to quit school in the 10th grade because, at that point, his family needed him to start working. He had to do his part with such a big family.
"I think that's why he's always been about getting things done."
By the time of his death last week at 82 years old, Trinidad Chavez had turned the business he started in his garage, Chavez Restoration & Cleaning, into one of the leading cleaning and disaster restoration businesses in the Midwest. The business, which is now owned and operated by his sons Daniel and Richard Chavez, utilizes about 25 vehicles and employs about 30 people specializing in fire and water restorations.
Daniel Chavez said his father knew from the beginning what he would face as a minority business owner. Because Trinidad knew some people would oppose having a minority working in their home, Chavez decided to keep his name on the business to avoid confusion.
"It could have just as easily been called Capital City Cleaners," Daniel Chavez said, "but it wouldn't have prevented that from happening."
Concern for his customers coupled with hard work and training helped his father's business grow, Daniel Chavez said. It wasn't a surprise then that their father sent his sons across the country for their own training in the family business, helping the business grow and add more services.
"He wanted to be good at what he did," Chavez said. "He actually cared. He wanted to make things better, whether that was someone with a dirty carpet or a house or business fire, we did our part to make the situation better."
But it wasn't until recently that Chavez said he learned his father's work helped more than just his own family.
"I had a gentlemen call out of the blue who said he runs a business in southeastern Kansas," Chavez said. "At first, I thought he was blowing smoke. He said he grew up knowing about my dad's business and at some point he thought, 'If he can do it, why can't I?'
"It's hard to know the extent (of how he impacted the community), but I was really taken aback. I thought at first he was trying to sell me something."
This story comes from the Topeka Capital Journal by Kevin Elliot December 21, 2010
Sorry for you loss Richard, Dan and family! Our thoughts and prayers are there for you and your families!
Doug D.
New Life Carpet & Furniture Cleaning
Spearfish, SD
