Today we’d like to introduce you to Rita Argueta.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am the Founder & President of Emeric Facility Services, but most importantly I am a wife and a mother of three kids. I attribute my life successes to my family because to me, they give me the motivation to push forward. I immigrated to the United States from the country of Honduras at the young age of 19, leaving my family, friends, and life as I knew behind. Seeking a better life and more opportunities, I dedicated myself to becoming the best housemaid there was, all while learning a whole new language and culture. Due to my outstanding service and work ethic as a stand-alone maid, I was able to build contacts and referrals from my clients and began cleaning a number of houses, until I was unable to perform alone because of such high demand. Working 10 hour days, nearly 7 days a week, I knew I had to plan for the future.
After 25 years of working as a stand-alone housemaid, I created Emeric Facility Services in 2011 and began operating in 2012. The business first began with me and my husband cleaning houses but exponentially grew now having over 100+ employees servicing different industries in all types of cleaning and maintenance. During my 25 years in the industry, I learned and specialized in the trade and became very knowledgeable on meeting the customer’s needs. I pride myself on developing a company that exceeds the customer’s expectations and ensures every single house, commercial building, apartment complexes is left spotless.
In only 4 years of business, Emeric Facility Services has reached over 100 employees and is continuing to grow and expand.
I am so proud to be the owner of such a great company. I am most proud of how efficiently we are able to perform our jobs and the quality of work we are able to achieve through making our employees feel like family. Emeric Facility services are truly one big family that looks out for the needs of every individual from our management team, field workers, supervisors and financial people. Having a fun and safe work environment is something we really pride ourselves on having.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Building my company to its current size has not been easy. There have been many struggles I had to overcome to become the successful entrepreneur I am today. The first of many struggles I had to overcome was adapting to the American culture and learning English. Growing up in the country of Honduras I was exposed to a way of living not many people here in the US can even imagine. Living in my mothers home with no electricity, little water & food I decided I wanted a better life for myself. I decided to save my money and move to America as a teenager in a pursuit of more opportunities.
All I wanted was a better life. Moving here was a struggle, in the beginning, leaving my family behind and living in a whole new country at the age of 19 was terrifying but I knew it would be for the best. In the early years, I would get taken advantage of working 10 hour days cleaning houses working for little money, sometimes even $20.00 a day because many people knew I didn’t know the language so I was unable to negotiate my pay. Eventually, I learned the language and began not only negotiating my own pay but also began networking to build a bigger list of clients.
Being a woman in the world of business has also been challenging at times, earning the respect of others in a male-dominated industry has been a challenge but one I was willing to take on and embrace. Nothing in life comes easy and the things worth attaining will certainly not be handed to you.
Emeric Facility Services has received the WBE certification. WBE is a certification that recognizes women-owned businesses. The mission and goal of the WBE certification is to give the resources necessary for women-owned businesses to thrive in today’s business environment. It also helps to increase the awareness that business ownership is a viable means of economic self-sufficiency.
Please tell us about Emeric Facility Services.
Emeric Facility Services is a FULLY INSURED AND BONDED company that provides the Midwest ranging from IL, WI, IN with premiere janitorial, carpet cleaning, and floor care services that extends from office space, churches, businesses, residential homes, construction companies, gyms, apartment complexes, schools and much more. Emeric Facility Services distinguishes itself from our competitors by simply paying attention to the details and providing our customers with the best customer service in the industry. Paying attention to the little things really makes our company stand out, things customer would never notice gets our utmost attention and care which makes all the difference.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Become more open-minded and be more open to other people ideas.
Contact Info:
- Address: 918 S Greenbay Road Waukegan, IL 60085
- Website: www.EmericServices.com
- Phone: 847-623-6912
- Email: Info@Emericservices.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Emeric-Facility-Services-281362198581412/timeline/
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