LOCAL PROFILES

There’s more to Las Vegas than over-the-top hotels, slot machines high rollers, the Strip, stage shows and Wayne Newton. In fact, there are many people who fondly call Las Vegas home and who also run successful businesses here.

For example, meet Mark Keller and Ken Lehman, the co-owners of Steamatic Total Cleaning and Restoration, franchisees of the national company founded and headquarted in Texas back in 1968. According to the corporate Web site, Steamatic franchises are equipped to tackle:

• Water removal and dehumidification
• Fire and soot damage recovery
• Mold removal
• Air duct system cleaning and decontamination
• Carpet and rug cleaning
• Drapery and furniture cleaning
• Electronics restoration
• Document restoration following water or fire damage
• Hard surface cleaning (tile and stone)

“Our goal is to provide a healthy indoor environment for our customers by removing many of the contaminants that live in structures—irritants that trigger allergic reactions, respiratory distress, household odors, and of course, dirt and germs. The technology and processes we have developed throughout our history have had that one goal in mind—a healthy environment,” Steamatic reports.

A Great Business

For Mark and Ken, the business they started seven years ago has been a dream come true and in the perfect location. “We’ve been working in the Las Vegas Valley our whole lives,” Mark says.

The men bring a variety of business knowledge and experience to Steamatic Total Cleaning and Restoration. For example, Mark’s partner and brother-in-law, Ken, has been working and managing a variety of local family businesses since he was 17. Over the years, this has included two Union 76 gas stations, two Bully’s bar and restaurants, and the family towing company, SST Towing.

Keeping it all in the family, after spending 12 years as an ironworker for the Local 416, Mark joined Ken, at SST Towing in 1990. In 2001, they got together again to open the Las Vegas Steamatic Total Cleaning and Restoration office. “We’ve been growing like crazy ever since. I can’t imagine operating anywhere but Las Vegas,” Ken says.

How did they go from a towing company to a cleaning and restoration service? “When we sold the towing company we were looking to own and operate a quality business in Las Vegas that we could enjoy coming to work at, says Mark. “I really feel like we found that here.”.

Both men agree that the company gives them the chance to help people in a really bad situation. “If we can be successful doing something good for people, how can you beat that? It was an easy decision to start the business,” says Mark.

Now in business for seven years, the specialty at Steamatic Total Cleaning and Restoration includes: water mitigation, fire restoration, and mold remediation. “Our 24/7 response teams are amazing,” says Mark.

Changing Times

Of course, the cleaning and restoration industry overall has definitely changed in the past 10 years, and for the better, according to Mark and Ken. “One thing I’ve noticed is that we’re seeing a lot of people trying to enter the industry that probably shouldn’t be. Believe it or not, there is a lot of science to what we do. If you just go into a water loss and start tearing things out, you’re not helping anyone. People need to be careful of who they’re hiring now more than ever,” Mark says.

Speaking of the science of things, Ken says the biggest change they’ve seen is in technological advances. “The equipment is better, the processes are more efficient, and the chemicals are more effective. It’s amazing to look back 10 years and see how far we’ve come,” he says.

Happy Customers

Busy men, they have about 40 employees within the company and their main target market is anyone who has ownership or oversight of property locally such as: insurance professionals, property managers, REALTORS®, HOA managers, and construction teams, Mark says. “Our goal is to give as many people access to our services as possible. You don’t want to worry about who to call in an emergency situation,” Ken says.

And while there are others in the same business in the area, Mark and Ken say there is a difference. So, why would a client choose their company over other local competitors? Three words: quality, knowledge and passion.

“We hold ourselves to a very high standard when it comes to restoring people’s lives. We want to be the benchmark that everyone else measures against. Our facilities are state-of-the-art and we use the most advanced restoration methods available,” Mark says.

Ken says they believe heavily in training and educating their employees. “We’ve got one of the best trained staffs in the city. Also, our technicians take a lot of pride in their work. They’re passionate about being the best in the business. We’re lucky in that way,” he says.

Of course, those in the Real Estate arena can also benefit from their top-notch services as well. For instance, Mark says that mold, water damage, and other issues that are becoming more frequent because of all the foreclosures can severely damage a home that a client is trying to buy or sell. “Steamatic Total Cleaning and Restoration can mitigate these problems before they get out of hand. We also offer deodorization and duct cleaning services to make the home more presentable,” he says.

Having Fun

In the end, Mark and Ken are having a blast and enjoying every minute of owning and operating a total restoration company. “I have to agree with what Mark said earlier,” says Ken. ”When you talk to these people after you’ve helped them through a disaster and put their lives back on track, they’re so grateful for the help. It’s good to feel like you’re giving back to the city you’ve grown up in.”

On the flip side, Mark says it’s not always peaches and cream. “Trying to grow in a down economy is a bit challenging,” he says. “We’ve been getting more and more creative with the ways we look at the business. We’re still seeing growth but it’s definitely a challenge.

“The funny thing about our business is you never really know. One second you’re talking with a homeowner and the next minute you’re responding to a 30-story high-rise flood,” he says. “I think that’s what makes it such an interesting business.”

As for the future, they are working to be the No. 1 restoration company in Las Vegas and they are more than confident that they can get there. “We’re adding experienced, quality people and keeping our facilities state-of-the art,” Mark says.

For more information, visit the Web site at http://www.steamaticlv.com.