How a leap of faith became a spark of trust leading to a legacy of kindness, friendship, and giving back.
To be honest with you, many times a service call is just that- a service call. Someone needs something done, someone shows up, and how it plays out after that frankly can be a crap shoot. Inherently, it usually starts out as a distant exchange, and who knows where it ends up.
Ester feared what might take place.
She was one of those people. A respected nonprofit executive in South Jersey, she was known for her integrity, faith, and grace. She carried herself with quiet confidence — the kind that earned her admiration both professionally and personally. When she spoke, people listened. As she commanded people carried out. When she reprimanded it was deserved. And when she approved those were rewarded and praised.
But living alone as a senior woman was a different matter.
Though she lived independently in her comfortable three-level condo, Ester admitted she often felt vulnerable when hiring service companies. As a single senior woman, she worried about being taken advantage of. But after a long and reassuring conversation with me, she decided to give us a try.
When I arrived to measure her home — a spacious three-bedroom condo with a beautiful master suite, dining room perfect for family gatherings, cozy family room, and finished basement — she made one simple request: “Please just be honest and do what you say you’ll do.” (I knew we had this kicked!)
Eric arrived, biggest smile you’ve ever seen and those puppy eyes. His enthusiasm was unavoidable!
Eric, one of our most dedicated technicians, arrived on cleaning day and began his work. From the start it was hard to miss his overabundant love of cleaning carpets. But more so it was also hard miss how much he loved knocking the service experience out of the park! For him, the reward was simple—take a timid and reserved client, and through his work and his service make them into a champion referring client thrilled with what he did for them!
With his goal in mind Eric began his work.
Eric gave Ester’s carpets the detailed care they needed — moving furniture carefully, cleaning every inch, and setting everything back with protectors. He even applied a carpet protector to help extend the life of her floors. And all had been done with what I promised, and to her delight.
And then came the surprise — a dozen roses and a bottle of spot cleaner, our little thank-you gift at the time.
Ester was stunned!
She was speechless almost. Her call to us afterward remains one of the most heartfelt testimonials we’ve ever received:
“Wendy, my carpets look amazing! You have me as a client for life! As an older woman alone, I feared I’d be taken advantage of, but you did exactly what you promised. Eric is wonderful — he clearly loves his work and helping people! And the roses… wow! What a surprise. You’re the best service company I’ve ever had! I will sing your praises for life!”
Ten years of trust, loyalty, appreciation and respect ensued.
That call was the beginning of a wonderful relationship. Eric cleaned her home many times over the years, and their friendship grew.
But now it was Ester’s turn, and her thought from the heart!
After a cleaning, Ester learned that Eric and his partner were adopting a child, Ester called me and informed me of her gesture. She said she had sent him a card and a $100 gift — insisting they buy something they truly needed. That’s just who she was: thoughtful, generous, and full of heart.
This time it was Eric’s turn to feel appreciation. And actually, he was blown away at her generosity and thought of thinking of them.
So for years each cleaning wasn’t a chore, it was friendly catch up.
As time went on and Ester faced health challenges, she continued to reach out with kindness and encouragement. She often said that our visits made her feel cared for and that Eric’s smile and work ethic gave her peace of mind.
Regretfully though, Eric was sidelined in an accident, and Ester, along with all of us missed him terribly. With a crew change the cleaning continued, but it wasn’t the same without Eric’s friendly smile! With every service call we would catch her up on his recovery. Sad, but grateful we was on his road to recovery, the family was still in tact.
Fast forward 10 years we reached out to Eric to show him our new truck.
Not only a carpet cleaner, he is a mechanic too. So working near his house we called him to come see our new truck mount. Immediately with the whistle of the machine and the power of it that big smile was blinding! Eric was thrilled. That ‘sparkle’ in his eye was there, remembering all the clients like Ester he served, and about the job he loved.
And now a final twist.
Ester’s condition deteriorated, and her living situation changed. We lost touch. Confirming the family still resided at the address I left a quiet note, if not for her, for her daughter.
Knowing how much he meant to them I was certain they would appreciate hearing of his update. It was such a warm reunion. Eric was back to much of himself. And their son was growing and thriving. On whatever level I had just hoped to bring a smile to their faces.
Frankly this is just one story of an endearing relationship built through trust, honor and service. Stories like this have and do still happen with us. With our service we watch our clients and their families live and grow through the changes, life moments and stages of life.
Then, just yesterday, I received a call from a gentleman whose name I recognized — Ester’s son.
On a scheduled day of another long-served family, he was calling to pay, and announced his name. So while he began to want to share his credit card information I interrupted him.
“Are you related to an Ester Goldstein?”
He paused, then asked softly, “You knew my mom?” When I told him about our years of service and the kindness his mother had shown Eric, his voice broke. “That was exactly who she was,” he said. “Strong, confident, and always thinking of others.”
Honestly, I could tell and he admitted he was welling up in tears. In fact, he commented it made his day, and he couldn’t wait to share our heartfelt story with his siblings.
But now the tide turned on me—why was he even on the phone with another of our long served clients?
Trying to get my arms around this, I went with in, with no choice. OK we were at Brenda’s house, but Scott, the son of another client was paying. Then Scott explained, he was calling to pay his wife’s bill. In the background Brenda piped up loudly,
Yes Wendy, my new name is Brenda Goldstein!”
Two families we’ve served for years, now connected. And a heartfelt story that came full circle!
Life has a funny way of circling back — and sometimes, it brings with it the sweetest reminders of the people who made it brighter along the way.
How a leap of faith became a spark of trust leading to a legacy of kindness, friendship, and giving back.
To be honest with you, many times a service call is just that- a service call. Someone needs something done, someone shows up, and how it plays out after that frankly can be a crap shoot. Inherently, it usually starts out as a distant exchange, and who knows where it ends up.
Ester feared what might take place.
She was one of those people. A respected nonprofit executive in South Jersey, she was known for her integrity, faith, and grace. She carried herself with quiet confidence — the kind that earned her admiration both professionally and personally. When she spoke, people listened. As she commanded people carried out. When she reprimanded it was deserved. And when she approved those were rewarded and praised.
But living alone as a senior woman was a different matter.
Though she lived independently in her comfortable three-level condo, Ester admitted she often felt vulnerable when hiring service companies. As a single senior woman, she worried about being taken advantage of. But after a long and reassuring conversation with me, she decided to give us a try.
When I arrived to measure her home — a spacious three-bedroom condo with a beautiful master suite, dining room perfect for family gatherings, cozy family room, and finished basement — she made one simple request: “Please just be honest and do what you say you’ll do.” (I knew we had this kicked!)
Eric arrived, biggest smile you’ve ever seen and those puppy eyes. His enthusiasm was unavoidable!
Eric, one of our most dedicated technicians, arrived on cleaning day and began his work. From the start it was hard to miss his overabundant love of cleaning carpets. But more so it was also hard miss how much he loved knocking the service experience out of the park! For him, the reward was simple—take a timid and reserved client, and through his work and his service make them into a champion referring client thrilled with what he did for them!
With his goal in mind Eric began his work.
Eric gave Ester’s carpets the detailed care they needed — moving furniture carefully, cleaning every inch, and setting everything back with protectors. He even applied a carpet protector to help extend the life of her floors. And all had been done with what I promised, and to her delight.
And then came the surprise — a dozen roses and a bottle of spot cleaner, our little thank-you gift at the time.
Ester was stunned!
She was speechless almost. Her call to us afterward remains one of the most heartfelt testimonials we’ve ever received:
“Wendy, my carpets look amazing! You have me as a client for life! As an older woman alone, I feared I’d be taken advantage of, but you did exactly what you promised. Eric is wonderful — he clearly loves his work and helping people! And the roses… wow! What a surprise. You’re the best service company I’ve ever had! I will sing your praises for life!”
Ten years of trust, loyalty, appreciation and respect ensued.
That call was the beginning of a wonderful relationship. Eric cleaned her home many times over the years, and their friendship grew.
But now it was Ester’s turn, and her thought from the heart!
After a cleaning, Ester learned that Eric and his partner were adopting a child, Ester called me and informed me of her gesture. She said she had sent him a card and a $100 gift — insisting they buy something they truly needed. That’s just who she was: thoughtful, generous, and full of heart.
This time it was Eric’s turn to feel appreciation. And actually, he was blown away at her generosity and thought of thinking of them.
So for years each cleaning wasn’t a chore, it was friendly catch up.
As time went on and Ester faced health challenges, she continued to reach out with kindness and encouragement. She often said that our visits made her feel cared for and that Eric’s smile and work ethic gave her peace of mind.
Regretfully though, Eric was sidelined in an accident, and Ester, along with all of us missed him terribly. With a crew change the cleaning continued, but it wasn’t the same without Eric’s friendly smile! With every service call we would catch her up on his recovery. Sad, but grateful we was on his road to recovery, the family was still in tact.
Fast forward 10 years we reached out to Eric to show him our new truck.
Not only a carpet cleaner, he is a mechanic too. So working near his house we called him to come see our new truck mount. Immediately with the whistle of the machine and the power of it that big smile was blinding! Eric was thrilled. That ‘sparkle’ in his eye was there, remembering all the clients like Ester he served, and about the job he loved.
And now a final twist.
Ester’s condition deteriorated, and her living situation changed. We lost touch. Confirming the family still resided at the address I left a quiet note, if not for her, for her daughter.
Knowing how much he meant to them I was certain they would appreciate hearing of his update. It was such a warm reunion. Eric was back to much of himself. And their son was growing and thriving. On whatever level I had just hoped to bring a smile to their faces.
Frankly this is just one story of an endearing relationship built through trust, honor and service. Stories like this have and do still happen with us. With our service we watch our clients and their families live and grow through the changes, life moments and stages of life.
Then, just yesterday, I received a call from a gentleman whose name I recognized — Ester’s son.
On a scheduled day of another long-served family, he was calling to pay, and announced his name. So while he began to want to share his credit card information I interrupted him.
“Are you related to an Ester Goldstein?”
He paused, then asked softly, “You knew my mom?” When I told him about our years of service and the kindness his mother had shown Eric, his voice broke. “That was exactly who she was,” he said. “Strong, confident, and always thinking of others.”
Honestly, I could tell and he admitted he was welling up in tears. In fact, he commented it made his day, and he couldn’t wait to share our heartfelt story with his siblings.
But now the tide turned on me—why was he even on the phone with another of our long served clients?
Trying to get my arms around this, I went with in, with no choice. OK we were at Brenda’s house, but Scott, the son of another client was paying. Then Scott explained, he was calling to pay his wife’s bill. In the background Brenda piped up loudly,
Yes Wendy, my new name is Brenda Goldstein!”
Two families we’ve served for years, now connected. And a heartfelt story that came full circle!
Life has a funny way of circling back — and sometimes, it brings with it the sweetest reminders of the people who made it brighter along the way.
Looking for a service experience that shines above others for cleaning, refinishing or polishing services? Free estimates Call us at 609.953.0472 or CONTACT US ONLINE.