Happy 2023 everyone! We survived the craziness of the holidays and I hope that everyone reading this had a good start to the New Year. Making it to 2023 means that Summit Maids has officially made it to our first anniversary! (Happy Birthday Summit Maids!)
It’s been a whirlwind of a year – from handling some very challenging client situations to helping several of our team members make significant strides in their personal lives, I can honestly say that I had no idea what our first year in business was going to hold for us.
So far, in this past year we have helped three of our team members buy their first homes, helped two team members get out of very dangerous domestic violence situations, helped one team member secure her utilities when they were shut off, helped another get her car out of impound when it was towed, donated funds to several local charities that help rehome abandoned animals, give sporting equipment to children with mobility issues, provide job training to young adults, and now – give toys to needy children. Talk about making an impact!
We also found our voice as a company. Too many businesses exist solely to make money. I believe that a business should also stand up for a set of values and beliefs that the team and owners hold dear. In this way, businesses can act as a force for change in a community and the world. Here at Summit, we believe in equality and equal rights for all. This led us to celebrating Juneteenth and writing an extensive blog post explaining why we chose to do it. I admit, it ruffled a few feathers! But we chose to stick by our beliefs and stand up for what we knew to be right.
To end the year on a good note, and to reward the team for all their hard work this past year, we decided to hold a little team breakfast to get everyone together ahead of the holidays and spend some time with our colleagues. We’re always on the go, so it’s rare to see very many people in the same place at once! While only some of the team were able to make it, those that did had a great time!
The end of the year means a lot of different things to a lot of people. For us here at Summit, it means giving back to the community and living up to our company values of supporting the community that supports us. While we didn’t advertise it much, we partnered up with one of the oldest foster care networks in Ohio to help support their holiday toy drive and help hundreds of children across the greater Cleveland area have a magical holiday season. Some of you all donated to the cause and Summit donated two shopping carts full of toys for the kids in our community! Personally, I have to say that this was one of the most gratifying things that I did all year!
When I started this company, I wanted to build something that was bigger than just a group of people that happened to have the same company name – I wanted to build a great company that provided great jobs, and to give back to our Cleveland community.
So far, I’d say that we’re on the right track and I can’t wait to see what 2023 will bring.
I hope that each and every one of you who have supported us in our first year are proud of the impact that you have made for your neighbors. Every single client that support Summit Maids supports all of those community organizations that I listed above as well as helps to provide good jobs to great people in your own community.
When you support local, small businesses, that money stays in your community as opposed to all those franchise cleaners who are paying franchise fees to support some moguls third vacation house in Florida.
Thank you for joining me in building a great company and a great team – and most of all, in making a difference in your community.
Here’s to what 2023 will bring!
Sincerely,
Jacob W. Bailey, Founder of Summit Maids
