In 1985, Ken Jordan founded Accent American after struggling to find a decent job after college. He initially took a position with a carpet cleaning company but quickly realized it operated as a bait-and-switch operation. This experience motivated him to start his own honest and transparent carpet cleaning business. With basic equipment packed into the back of his hatchback car, Ken set out to provide quality service with integrity.
When Ken met and married Lisa, she began helping with the business part-time while working full-time elsewhere to support them. As the company grew, Lisa joined full-time in 2006. Today, she manages the office while Ken continues working in the field, though she assists on larger jobs when needed. Together, they’ve built a company that prioritizes integrity, customer satisfaction, and community involvement.
"Every time our company participated in a cleaning event with Cleaning Community Gives Back, the organization we founded and that we operate, that provides floor cleaning services to charities."
Overcoming Challenges as a Local Business
As a small, locally owned business, Accent American faces the challenge of gaining name recognition without the luxury of a million-dollar advertising budget. Instead, they rely on hard work, networking, and community involvement to stay top of mind.
One of the ways they give back is through Cleaning Community Gives Back, an organization they founded to provide free professional floor cleaning to charities. They have led events with other cleaning companies to support locations such as Ronald McDonald Houses in Tampa, St. Pete, Orlando, Gainesville, and Jacksonville, along with other local charities in the Tampa area. Though these events were paused during COVID-19, they are working to bring them back soon.
Making a Difference in the Community
Accent American is deeply involved in local organizations. They have been members of the Central Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce since 2017, NARPM since 2011, and RGA Network since 2016. Lisa is an Ambassador for the Chamber, winning Ambassador of the Year three years in a row. She also serves as Affiliate Chair for NARPM and Area Director for RGA, demonstrating their dedication to local business communities.
Beyond professional organizations, Accent American helps homeowners by repurposing abandoned items left behind due to evictions, squatters, or other circumstances. With property owner permission, they clean and donate these items to local charities, covering costs themselves. This not only prevents waste from entering landfills but also supports those in need. Property owners receive donation receipts for tax purposes, creating a win-win solution.
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Honesty and Integrity First
Accent American has built its reputation on honesty and integrity. Over the years, they have turned down work when it was in the customer’s best interest. Many homeowners have been misled by other companies into thinking they need expensive services like duct system cleaning when, in reality, their system is fine. Ken and Lisa always provide honest assessments, ensuring customers only pay for necessary services.
They refuse to engage in bait-and-switch tactics, which means they do not advertise discount prices just to upsell services later. However, they proudly offer discounts to military personnel, police officers, and first responders to show appreciation for their service.
Innovation and the Future
Accent American’s current focus is on helping property management companies, offering a wide range of services to assist with property maintenance. They also work with builders to address issues like flooring haze, paint, and dust removal that standard cleaning methods cannot resolve.
For Ken and Lisa, the rewards of running their business go beyond financial success. They enjoy helping people restore their homes after disasters, solving unique problems, and working together as a husband-and-wife team. The ability to control their schedules allows them to optimize their work-life balance while maintaining excellent service standards.
By supporting Accent American, customers are not only receiving top-quality service but also investing in a business that gives back to the community. Ken and Lisa’s journey proves that with hard work, integrity, and a passion for service, success is well within reach.
