Episode 10

full
Published on:

12th Sep 2024

Spic and Span: The Dirt on Starting a Cleaning Empire with Alejandro Saucedo

This week host Marty Mechtenberg and Susan Ford speak with Alejandro Saucedo, CEO and founder of Indiana's Elite Cleaning, a comprehensive cleaning company.  As a third-generation professional cleaner, Alex shares his journey from humble beginnings as a migrant worker to creating a successful cleaning company that embodies both heart and professionalism. His employee-centric philosophy, emphasis on supplier diversity, and continuous community involvement illustrate a holistic approach to entrepreneurship. 

Listen as Marty, Susan, and Alejandro discuss the power of persistence, community resources, and strategic planning. 

 

QUOTES

  • "Taking something that's going to be cast away, considered unworthy, filthy, and to bring it back to life with hard work and elbow crease. That's my satisfaction.” -Alejandro Saucedo [02:40]
  • “You can't just win at this thing. You can't just step out, and have these big hopes and aspirations without a plan, a strategy, without executing what it is that the steps and mentors are giving you.” -Alejandro Saucedo [10:08]


TIMESTAMPS

(00:10) From Migrant Fields to CEO: Alejandro Saucedo's Journey

(05:54) Starting a Business in Indiana with $98 and Community Support

(08:30) The Journey of Building Indiana's Elite Cleaning

(15:13) Empowering Employees Through Dream Management and Financial Planning

(20:25) Persistence and Boldness in Securing Business Contracts

(22:06) The Power of Persistence and Unconventional Networking

(24:24) Reevaluating Roles and Services in a Growing Janitorial Business

(28:49) Community Advocacy to Business Leadership


RESOURCES

Indiana's Elite Cleaning


CONTACT

Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/ 

Susan Ford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-howard-ford-8446441/

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About the Podcast

Rooted and Reaching
Stories about local Startups and Founders in South Bend and Elkhart
There’s a job to do, and in the South Bend - Elkhart region, a midwestern work ethic is changing the narrative from rusty to ready. Our cities are opening up and working together as a region—universities are engaging beyond their campuses, sharing their brainpower and realizing that they’re bigger and better with the community behind them. Organizations are reaching out to newcomers and helping them build local networks, leveling the playing field. Infrastructure is being creatively adapted to be gathering places where new deals are made, new collisions happen, and new entrepreneurs take root. Join the Rooted & Reaching podcast, where we discuss the startup life with entrepreneurs with connections to the South Bend - Elkhart region.

In doing this, we will inform the general public and ourselves about what resources are available and the major pain points of entrepreneurs in our region. This podcast is also intended to tell the amazing stories of our local entrepreneurs in the hope that it will inspire another person in the region considering an entrepreneurial pursuit to take that leap of faith and see the supportive atmosphere in the area.