My Biz: Merry Maids Franchise Owner Trains Employees To Be Leaders

CEDAR RAPIDS — Marty Smith knew he had some challenges when he bought the local Merry Maids business in June of 2013. “We knew right off we had a lot of work to do to change the culture that would take the business from being a competent cleaning business to the number one choice for consumers,” he said. “Our customers are looking for a thorough and caring company to clean their homes,” Smith added, “and great cleaning comes from well-trained, motivated employees who take ownership in keeping the customers’ homes maintained.” It was Smith’s own long-standing employment history and confidence in the corporate philosophy behind Merry Maids, however, that helped seal the deal and make Merry Maids a “great place to work and a great service to buy.” Merry Maids is one of six companies within the ServiceMaster® family of companies that operates under four main objectives that date back to when the parent company was founded in 1929. “They haven’t wavered for 85 years,” said Smith.