Today we’d like to introduce you to Greg Childress.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story in the cleaning business started with my dad when I was just 10 years old. Cleaning commercial properties was a family thing. On Saturday or Sunday mornings, we would get up early and go clean buildings together. By the time I was a teenager, I wanted to do something different. I wanted to prove to my pops that I could make it without cleaning. Looking back, I wish I had listened to him and started sooner. I appreciate the foundation he gave me.
During the pandemic, I started my own carpet and floor care business, offering carpet and upholstery cleaning, hardwood floor cleaning, and tile and grout cleaning. My first customer was one of my best friends, Charles. I had purchased the equipment, but I was still hesitant to get started. He told me, “Bro, you got all the stuff—just do my carpet.” His belief in me gave me the confidence to take that first step.
After cleaning his carpet, I felt confident introducing myself to people and offering my services. At the time, I was also working as a phlebotomist at a plasma center and cleaning on the side. When the center closed its doors, I turned to commercial cleaning to help keep my family afloat.
That journey became the foundation for Billy & Jimmy. What started with early mornings alongside my dad became a way to provide for my own family. Years later, I found myself building a business with the very skill he had taught me as a child.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. Like any business, Billy & Jimmy has had its share of struggles. You’re going to make mistakes along the way, and you have to be willing to take responsibility and fix them.
One of the hardest things for me early on was losing contracts. I took it personally because I put so much of myself into the work. Losing a contract would crush me, and I would panic about what to do next. There were also times when new clients and jobs weren’t coming in the way I hoped. When your business is how you pay your bills and take care of your family, that uncertainty is tough.
Building a business from the ground up has challenged me professionally and personally. I’m learning how to handle setbacks, make adjustments, and keep moving forward. It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve learned that a setback doesn’t have to be the end of the story.
We’ve been impressed with Billy & Jimmy Cleaning , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What makes Billy & Jimmy unique is that we bring specialty floor care and residential and commercial cleaning together in one business. Carpet cleaning and floor care are our bread and butter. We offer carpet and upholstery cleaning, hardwood floor cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, and floor stripping and waxing. We also provide commercial cleaning, residential move-in and move-out cleaning, and select Airbnb cleaning services. Our clients can turn to one team for several different cleaning needs.
But the services are only part of what sets us apart. I care about being dependable and having personable people on my team. I want our clients to feel comfortable talking to us and confident that we’ll show up, arrive with a smile, and get the job done. We’re responsive, communicate clearly, and take our clients’ concerns seriously. If someone isn’t satisfied, we’re willing to listen, make adjustments, and work toward a solution.
We’ve also built this business through resourcefulness, hands-on experience, and attention to detail. We’ve learned how to make the most of our tools and techniques while maintaining the cleaning standards our clients expect. That commitment to quality has been an important part of our growth.
What I want people to know is that we take pride in both the cleaning and the customer experience. When you hire Billy & Jimmy, you’re trusting us with your home or business, and we take that responsibility seriously.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice is to study the industry you’re getting into. Be a nerd about your business. Learn the equipment, ask questions, and get curious about how things work. Be willing to make mistakes, but give yourself the knowledge to make better decisions from the beginning.
One thing I wish I had done differently was how I spent my startup money, especially on carpet cleaning equipment. I jumped in, and looking back, I would have made different purchases. Now that I understand the machines and the work better, I know what I would recommend to someone just starting out.
That’s why I tell people to be a student of their business. Understand what you need, what’s worth investing in, and what can wait. You won’t know everything before you start, and some lessons come through experience. But the more you learn upfront, the more intentional you can be with your money and your decisions.
Pricing:
- 50 per Room Residential
- Custom quote for commercial
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billyandjimmycarpetcleaning/
- Facebook: Billy and Jimmy Carpet Cleaning and Floor Care
- Other: Billy and Jimmy Cleaning/ TikTok
