Making capital in the capital.Capitol Hill Building Maintenance Inc. makes a tidy profit in cleaning services Twenty-five years ago, Sarian Bouma arrived in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. to create a better life for her family in Sierra Leone Sierra Leone (sēĕr`ə lēō`nē, lēōn`; sēr`ə lēōn), officially Republic of Sierra Leone, republic (2005 est. pop. 6,018,000), 27,699 sq mi (71,740 sq km), W Africa. . But after a year of marriage, she found herself divorced, pregnant and out on her own. She found solace in a woman's shelter and went on welfare so that she could feed her son. However, she never allowed her status as a recent immigrant and unemployed single parent keep her from accomplishing her personal goals. After working at a variety of odd jobs odd jobs npl → chapuzas fpl odd jobs npl → petits travaux divers odd jobs odd npl → , she landed a position as a bank loan officer in Washington, D.C. During this time, she was encouraged by her customers and future husband to start her own business. After attending a series of seminars on business ownership, Bouma decided to become the owner of a franchise commercial cleaning firm. She was attracted to the opportunity because it didn't require much start-up capital and she would be able to build clientele quickly. "If you have a big name, they [contractors] feel that you can deliver," says Bouma. She named her business ServiceMaster of Capitol Hill Inc., as a reminder of the place in Washington where she one day wanted to do business. Over the next five years, she proved her capability as an entrepreneur, procuring Procuring, in general, is the act of acquiring goods or services, usually by contract. It may refer to:
In 1993, she decided to become an independent contractor A person who contracts to do work for another person according to his or her own processes and methods; the contractor is not subject to another's control except for what is specified in a mutually binding agreement for a specific job. and established Capitol Hill Building Maintenance Inc. in Lexington Park, Maryland Lexington Park is a census-designated place and micropolitan statistical area in St. Mary's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 11,021 at the 2000 census. The town came into being with the establishment of the Patuxent Naval Air Station during World War II, and was , with the help of the Small Business Administration and a $25,000 loan from the Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority. Providing full-service janitorial services to offices, warehouses and medical suites in the metro Washington, D.C., and Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States of America. With a population of 234,403 as of the 2000 census, Norfolk is Virginia's second-largest incorporated city. , areas, Capitol Hill Building Maintenance has 13 clients and grossed $3.4 million last year. It is also recognized as one of the fastest-growing small janitorial firms in the Washington, D.C., area. Despite her success in business--Bouma has contracts with such federal agencies as the Department of Navy, has won awards and grossed millions of dollars--she feels that her greatest accomplishment has been helping the 200 people she employs. Besides giving them jobs, she has instilled in them the desire for an education, home ownership and entrepreneurship. "I am in the battlefield and I cannot lose," says Bouma. "I must fulfill the needs of my customers and my employees." Capitol Hill Building Maintenance Inc., 21692 Great Mills Road, Lexington Park Lexington Park was the name of a former minor league baseball park in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was the home of the St. Paul Saints from 1897 through 1956, when it was replaced by the first version of Midway Stadium. , MD 20653; 301-737-1445 |
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