In a recent online article in CleanLink, Lifelong Friends Continue to Lead Janitorial Services Company , the ongoing success of Supreme Maintenance Organization (SMO) has been highlighted. The article focuses on the unique personal and professional aspects that have driven the continued success of SMO.
All success stories have embedded DNA that has enabled that success. The same has been true for SMO. As detailed in the CleanLink article, those DNA attributes have included....
Personal Commitment and Friendship
SMO was founded in Greensboro, North Carolina, by David Murphy and Gary Collins. David and Gary had been close friends since childhood. As with most lifelong friendships, Gary and David's bonds were forged as much by their differing personalities as by their common interests. Their lifelong relationship has been forged, and sustained, by an historical backdrop of common experience.
David and Gary have now been business partners for over 30 years. That is a feat increasingly uncommon in today's business world. That longevity would not have been possible without a solid foundation of mutual respect, trust, and enduring friendship.
The Benefit of Experience
Many successful business enterprises are based, at least in part, on some level of previous experience. That early experience helps provide a preliminary framework upon which to start building real-world industry knowledge and to apply that knowledge during the embryonic stages of the business.
For David, the accumulation of that experience began at the age of eight when his father, Jimmy, founded Murphy Services. From that point forward David began garnering real-world experience within the industry that would be his life's calling.
It wasn't long before David pulled Gary into the fold, bringing him along to help with some of the janitorial duties. This shared experience imbued David and Gary with the shared traits of hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence; traits that would pay long-term dividends for SMO.
Fortitude and Diligence
The phrase "humble beginnings" certainly applies to SMO. When David decided to go into business for himself his prospects were dim. He had no money, no support, and no clients. But, he did have a vision and a healthy dosage of tenacity. He also had his friend, Gary, who agreed to join in the venture. With a meager investment of $100 each, and a borrowed vacuum cleaner, David and Gary embarked on their 30-year journey.
Over the ensuing three decades SMO has had its share of ups and downs. The challenges of trying to grow the business during the early years, coupled with the typical pains that come with growth, caused many sleepless nights for the two partners. During those times the pair had their share of frustration and doubt. But, in the end, from adversity came strength.
The success of any business is dependent upon a host of factors: employees, strategy, market, quality, operational efficiency, etc. For SMO, you can also add fortitude, diligence, commitment, and friendship to that list.
To read more about the history of SMO click on the following link to an eBook.