SBA 504 Success Story: Access to the right financing can turn steady growth into long-term opportunity. That’s exactly what happened for Clearly Clean Janitorial Service, a veteran-owned commercial cleaning company based in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
Founded in 2014 by Cornelius Smith, Clearly Clean has built a strong reputation serving commercial clients across the region. As demand grew, so did the need for more space and greater operational efficiency.
With support from B:Side Capital and lending partner Century Bank, Clearly Clean secured a Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loan to purchase a new property. The $1.6 million investment allowed them to double their square footage, creating room to scale operations while maintaining quality service for its next phase of growth.
By acquiring a larger facility, Clearly Clean can now purchase supplies in bulk, reduce operating costs, and expand services—all key advantages in a competitive industry. The business also plans to lease its previous commercial real estate, creating an additional long-term revenue opportunity.
How did the loan from B:Side help your business?
The loan helped Clearly Clean expand into a larger space, which allowed us to purchase supplies in bulk and significantly reduce our costs. It also opened up a new revenue stream by enabling us to sell consumables directly to our existing client, something we previously outsourced. Beyond supporting our growth, the loan created new opportunities to strengthen and diversify our business.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
My advice to other entrepreneurs is to always look for ways to grow within your existing customer base. Sometimes the biggest opportunities aren’t new clients, but finding additional ways to serve the ones you already have. Strategic investments like the right financing at the right time can unlock that potential and take your business to the next level.