Squeaky Kleen – A Step Above the Rest

BY JACLYN ROSE –

Derreck Smallwood was raised in Mena, a 2003 graduate of Mena High School; he also completed his Associate’s Degree in Computer Programming in 2003.  After graduation Smallwood moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he lived until 2006.  During that time, he started several small businesses including a home theater business, where he built some of the largest ‘smart homes’ in Little Rock.

Smallwood moved back to Polk County in 2006 to be near his family and quickly learned he wanted to continue to work for himself.  “I had a business associate who had a window washing business in Little Rock and we would help each other out on occassion.  He had since moved, but I knew it had potential to be a good business.  I started riding with a friend who would travel and when he would stop to do his work, I would get out with my bucket and squeegee and go from business to business asking if I could clean their windows,” explained Smallwood.

Originally named Brilliant Windows, Smallwood’s business started quickly collecting accounts, among those, Atwoods, which today is one of his largest accounts with Squeaky Kleen currently servicing 24 stores.  “I started cleaning windows under the name Brilliant Windows in 2007.  At the time my only intention was to clean windows, but as we grew, I realized the need to accommodate all forms of cleaning, so I decided to change the name to Squeaky Kleen in 2010.  You can have our teams come to your home and clean everything from top to bottom.  We cover all services including, but not limited to: window cleaning, power washing, soft washing, concrete cleaning, gutter cleaning, roof cleaning and solar panel cleaning.  We also do a lot of specialized work like rust removal, graffiti removal and glass scratch removal,” Smallwood explained.

Squeaky Kleen has continued to grow and currently services 2,500 residential accounts and 400 commercial accounts.  Depending on the season, Smallwood employs anywhere from three to four, two-man crews, with a very strong emphasis on service.  “We are a customer service company that just happens to clean windows.  We put our employees through a 5-Star Training Program so that they are constantly learning and improving their own lives.  Our crews are consistent. You will get the same positive experience every time we come to your house because we have strong systems in place that every employee always follows,” said Smallwood.

Smallwood also puts a strong emphasis on family time. Part of his mission statement states that his crews want to take the “to-do list” away from his customers, so that they can be in their homes enjoying time with their families.  “We like to help out our communities too. We do some fun things like the Little Old Lady Contest, where through our Facebook page, people can nominate a sweet little old lady who can’t clean their windows anymore and we will pick one and go clean them.  We also often clean playground equipment for free, because children deserve clean equipment to play on.  If we are doing a house and they have outdoor toys for their children, we always clean them too,” said Smallwood.  Due to their meticulous attention to detail and dedication to customer service, Squeaky Kleen has won the Angie’s List Super Service Award for two years in a row.

“I came back to Polk County because of my family.  It is a great little community. People are well connected and close and the slower pace brings me happiness instead of being in the rush of the big city.  It is also centrally located which is great for my crews that travel as far east as Little Rock, Arkansas, as far west as Tahlequah, Oklahoma, as far north as Bella Vista, Arkansas and as far south as Texarkana, Arkansas.  It’s a neat business and we enjoy what we do,” Smallwood explained.

You can reach Squeaky Kleen for a residential or business quote by calling 479.239.5894 or by logging on to their website at www.squeakykleenwashing.com.

About Author

Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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