By day, Omay Ford dedicates his time to growing A1 Cleaning. By night, he cherishes his role as a grandparent. And the two are intertwined, because A1 is how Omay intends to build a secure future for his grandchildren.

At a time when the pandemic was causing many small businesses to close, Omay and his long-time friend Curtis Strickland saw an opportunity: the rising demand for disinfecting services. When they realized that most businesses in the Boston area had already contracted cleaning services, this setback only fueled their desire to make a name for themselves.

In their first full year, A1 Cleaning relied mostly on small jobs. Their tenacity paid off when they landed a contract with Children’s Services of Roxbury – one of the largest human service agencies in the Boston area. This success allowed them to hire part-time employees and secure equipment.

Omay’s first connection with JPNDC was on a small job – cleaning out a space at the Brewery Small Business Complex. This chance blossomed into a full contract, making JPNDC one of A1 Cleaning’s major customers. Five evenings a week, the dedicated crew cleans the offices, as well as removing and installing carpeting and tiles when needed.

Beginning their workday when most people head home, Omay and Curtis began to meet some of the JPNDC staff who regularly stay late – like Tia Jackson, Director of Small Business Services. Through their connection, Omay was able to attend Tia’s “Getting Started in Business” workshops, which cover essential topics like business planning, marketing, and accounting.

The workshops, plus 1-on-1 technical assistance from Tia, have been integral to refining A1 Cleaning’s operations and expanding the business. Omay and Curtis are proud to employ 12 part-time employees at $20/hour, well over minimum wage and the industry average. They also go so far as to ensure each of their employees gets paid for working a minimum of two hours for each clean-up job, even if the job takes less time to complete.

Looking ahead, Omay and Curtis are focused on building marketing material and on obtaining their state MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) certification. With more companies pushing to diversify their contracts, MBE status is a key strategy for raising the profile of BIPOC-owned businesses.

“I want to leave something behind for my grandkids,” Omay says. “I want them to remember me not just by my presence, but by my ability to provide a better life for them.”

A1 Cleaning stands as a testament to the power of community support. And like Omay, JPNDC is committed to making sure that the next generation enjoys a world of greater opportunity and equity.

Do YOU have a small business dream? Our next free workshop series starts tonight! Do you already have a microbusiness and want to grow it? Request free technical assistance by completing this form . Learn more about JPNDC’s Small Buisness Services  here.