New business caters to hard-surface cleaning
by Bev Pechan (Hill City, SD Prevailer, 11.11.2009)
When Rick Freis became a statistic in the job loss department, it was tough, but he and his wife, Lorena, knew what they wanted to do. After working 18-19 years in Waterloo, Iowa, the couple made plans for a move to the Black Hills and particularly to Hill City. "We've vacationed in the Black Hills," Lorena said. "We knew we'd eventually wind up in Hill City." They were thinking retirement, but when the unexpected situation arose, they made the decision, wasting little time. Both are Iowa natives, though Rick has spent time in Washington, D.C., and Lorena lived in Canton.
Their new business, Dakota Hard Surface Cleaning, is ideally suited to the area, the Freises feel, because of all the motels, restaurants and other commercial ventures that feature tile in their decor. "There is plenty of opportunity," Lorena said of their new venture. "There is Deadwood, Custer, Hill City - all potential clients due to tourism," she said. And in addition to cleaning tile and grout, they are able to do other hard surfaces as well, such as patios, fireplaces, and so on.
When they decided on the type of business they wanted, the Freises went on the Internet and then talked to others who had entered into this type of work. After attending training at The Master's Touch in Phoenix, Ariz., they purchased their equipment and a trailer and are now certified as hard-surface technicians working out of their home. At their Arizona sessions, Lorena and Rick also learned the marketing techniques they would need to make their year-round business successful and they are launching a local advertising campaign this week to introduce their services to poential customers.
Depending on the amount of traffic at a specific location, how often the process is repeated is measured by general use. For instance, Lorena says, a resident may need their services perhaps only once a year, where commercial locations might be set up on a quarterly schedule. Very high traffic places could benefit from monthly cleanings of tile and grout and other surfaces. "And then there are the finishes," she said, "whether you want high-gloss or dull."
When planning the move to Hill City, the Freises enlisted the help of local realtor Kim Benning, who located a townhome for them. They arrived on Aug. 31 and have been getting acquainted in the area. Lorena and Rick have two children and six granchildren - all girls - and when asked about hobbies, Lorena said with enthusiasm, "Our favorite hobby of all is Custer State Park. It's a special place for us."
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