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Courtesy Janitorial Maintenance Service was started by Floyd and Mary Booker in 1956. After attending the University of Oregon, their son Ronald Booker moved back to Portland to help out in the family business. His father was operating out of the basement of their home, so Booker suggested they find a storefront office and the business located to 1705 N.E. Alberta St. Ed Mitchell rented the space to them for $58 a month in March 1976.

Years later they purchased the building, which is still the current home of the business.

Courtesy Janitorial provides a wide range of cleaning services, including commercial, residential, construction, final cleaning, and move-in and out cleaning. It also provides job site trailer and temporary office cleaning in addition to light and heavy hauling for clients such as the Urban League and New Avenues for Youth.

Some of Courtesy Janitorial鈥檚 past projects include the Beatrice Morrow housing development, Oregon Convention Center, Kround Kontrol and homeless shelters for Colas Construction. It provided final cleaning services for Miracles Club, Nike on MLK Jr. Boulevard, New Song Church and other local churches, Burgerville, Jack in the Box, Providence Village senior home, PGE Park, and the Native American Museum in Warm Springs. Current commercial clients include PCRI, Staroil, Numiss, Community Transitional School, Friends of The Children, Keys Lounge and Radio Room.

鈥淚 enjoy the freedom of being in charge of a small business, and being able to hire people who need a second chance. My employees come with certain challenges of homelessness, past criminal records, mental health issues and addiction,鈥� Booker said. 鈥淢y father always believed in helping out those who needed a second chance and that blueprint is still in play today. Certain challenges come with that policy and it takes a lot of patience and compassion.鈥�

Booker noted that he has about 11 employees, some working full time and some working part time. They include five people who have worked for him for more than 15 years, and three who have worked with him for more than 20 years.

Courtesy Janitorial uses environmentally friendly products so that its cleaning staff and its clients鈥� employees are able to work in an environment that is hazard free of allergens and other irritants.

Booker said his advice for other small business owners is to have a 鈥渃an-do spirit,鈥� not to be afraid of setbacks and have a willingness to put in long hours.

鈥淕ood people skills are a must and don鈥檛 be scared to take chances,鈥� he added. 鈥淲hen you work for yourself, my dad would always say it鈥檚 feast or famine, but I would not change a thing. All the years I spent working with my father was and is truly a blessing.鈥�