Behind the Scenes at Crystal Clean: Our Core Values

Hey there, folks!

Dave Harting here, the chief cook and bottle washer at Crystal Clean.

Well, at least for 35 of the last 45 years we've been in the commercial cleaning business. If you've ever stopped by our Fort Myers office, you might've caught a glimpse of me rushing around, maybe even forgetting to finish my hair and makeup before jumping on camera—guilty as charged!

But today, I want to share something that's at the heart of everything we do: our core values and the company culture that keeps us going strong.

Over the past 45 years, we've seen our share of ups and downs, just like any business. But one thing that's always guided us is our commitment to our core values.

They're not just words on a plaque gathering dust—they're the foundation for how we make decisions every single day.

When you walk into our office, the first thing you'll see on the wall is a clear outline of what we stand for...

And let me tell you, it's a game-changer.

In the big corporate world, things often look a little different.

Most companies prioritize the bottom line above all else—shareholder value, stock prices, you name it. CEO bonuses are tied to profits, and everything else falls in line behind that. Customers come next, with all the buzzwords like "customer service is job one" and quality assurance thrown around. But sadly, employees often get the short end of the stick.

They're the ones doing the heavy lifting, generating the revenue, and keeping the wheels turning, yet their needs come last.

At Crystal Clean, we've completely flipped that script.

Our number one priority?

Our employees—or as we like to call them, our family. And I mean that literally—it includes our actual families at home, because let's face it, that's why most of us show up to work every day: to support the people we love. But it also means our team here at the office.

We work hard to foster a real team effort, a family atmosphere where everyone feels supported and valued.

Now, we don't even use the word "customers" around here.

Places like Walmart or Target have customers—folks who come in, grab what they need, and head out, no strings attached.

But we're in the commercial cleaning game, building long-term relationships.

That's why we call them clients. Some have been with us for 10, 15, even 20 years because we go the extra mile to meet their needs and deliver exceptional service. So, clients are our solid number two.

And then, thirdly, come the needs of the company itself.

Don't get me wrong—we've got to turn a profit to stick around for 45 years! But it's not our top focus.

The beauty of this approach?

When you take care of your people and your clients first, the profits take care of themselves. It removes so much stress and lets us focus on what really matters.

You might be wondering why we landed on this exact order.

Well, life is precious and short, right?

We spend a huge chunk of our time at work, so why not make it enjoyable?

Why not surround yourself with people you care about, who care about you, in a positive, encouraging environment?

That's why family comes first—we actually look forward to coming to work. I know, crazy concept for some!

Of course, client needs are crucial too. We strive for exceptional service and going that extra mile. But here's the kicker: prioritize those first two, and the third falls into place automatically.

Years ago, I drew inspiration from a sales and marketing legend named Zig Ziglar—yep, the guy from Yazoo City, Missouri, who started out selling pots and pans door-to-door back in the 50s and 60s.

He became a global sensation with his motivational speeches and books, a real precursor to folks like Tony Robbins or Gary Vaynerchuk.

Zig had this golden nugget he repeated everywhere:

"You can get anything you want in life if you first help enough other people get what they want."

Think about that. If we put our families, employees, and clients first, the money follows naturally.

After seven decades of life experience (yeah, I'm getting up there!), I can tell you this works. Care for others' needs ahead of your own, and the rest sorts itself out.

This didn't happen overnight, mind you.

Many years back, we brought in a business coach and spent a full day with our management team hashing out our values and priorities. By the end, everyone was on board—this is what matters most.

And here's where it gets practical: our core values make most business decisions a no-brainer. Take hiring, for example.

When someone applies for a job, one of the first things we do is share this very philosophy—maybe even show them a video like the one this post is based on.

They might have tons of cleaning experience, be super productive and hardworking, but if they don't vibe with our team-first, family atmosphere?

We pass. Decision made.

Same goes for management hires: all the skills in the world won't cut it if they're not a team player. And it doesn't stop at hiring.

If someone's been with us for years but turns negative or toxic—for whatever reason—we thank them for their service and part ways.

Life's too short for that kind of energy dragging everyone down.

Heck, it even applies to clients.

We've had to "fire" a few over the years because they didn't align with our values. One sticks out: a condominium property where the client was verbally abusive to our cleaning techs and managers. We talked to him, his boss, even the board—nothing changed.

So, we politely said thanks but no thanks, offered to clean until they found a replacement, and moved on.

No room for toxicity here.

So, there you have it in a nutshell: Employees and family first, clients second, company needs third.

If this resonates with you—if you're looking for a place where you can grow, have fun, and actually enjoy the ride—come talk to us, or apply on our website here.

We're growing fast in Fort Myers and Naples, and we're always on the lookout for folks who fit our vibe and want to be part of the family.

Thanks for reading, let's make work something we look forward to!

Dave Harting

Chief Chef & Bottle Washer

Crystal Clean - Fort Myers & Naples