Local Business Focus: New England Steam Clean

owner Kevin Sullivan took a risk starting his business several years ago, in the midst of a stagnant economy, but for him, creating a local cleaning business was inevitable.

"When it comes down to it, the cleaning business is in my blood," Sullivan said. "My father currently is a partner and owner of a large cleaning business in the New Haven area and has owned several cleaning businesses throughout his life. I started in the carpet cleaning industry when I was 12 years old, working for my dad and learning the ins and outs of a cleaning business."

New England Steam Clean has brought Sullivan's family experience and knowledge to northern Connecticut. The small business serves the whole state, but has strong customer clusters in Tolland, West Hartford and Glastonbury, Sullivan said.

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"One thing that we do that many other companies do not is offer a free no obligation quote to our customers," Sullivan said, explaining why he believes so many of his new customers come from great word-of-mouth recommendations.

"It's a really small, tight-knit town, so there have been a lot of referrals we've gotten working from people. We certainly appreciate that," he added of Tolland. Sullivan said that his wife, Stacey, grew up in town.

And while New England Steam Clean is still a small business, with only several employees and no business office, Sullivan said that their focus on quality service has helped the business take off without too many bumps in the road.

"There really haven't been any problems at all. It's been amazing actually," Sullivan said.

And New England Steam Clean's steady growth has also helped Sullivan fulfill his personal dream of owning his own business.

"You control your own destiny, from simple stuff like your schedule, to long-term goals, it's all in your control. It's very rewarding building something from the ground up on your own," he said.

New England Steam Clean offers a variety of cleaning services, including truck-mounted carpet cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, pet stain and odor removal, upholstery cleaning and more.

For more information on New England Steam Clean, visit the business' website or Facebook page.