Cleaning up on a living wage
She whisked through the front door smiling broadly while carrying an array of specialty tools. Within the kitchen a bounty of compounds and fluids, all organic and harmless to the environment, were dutifully mixed and apportioned, before being used. In a whirl of efficiency, effervescence and economy of motion the whole house was dusted, vacuumed, scrubbed, scoured, mopped and polished to a fine sheen. Then, she was gone.
This was a typical visit by The Cleaning Crew, a warm association of house cleaners under the tutelage, guidance and care of Karen Morris, who has managed to create a business in Ashland that pays its family of cleaners a living wage, while allowing the staff, consisting of single and married moms, dads and university students, the time and money to either be with their families before and after school or attending classes in pursuit of specialty degrees. Weekends are free for family, social, studying, exercising or just enjoying a good book while petting the pooch.
Karen left Talent, Oregon at age 18 to live in Santa Rosa, California, attending Santa Rosa Junior College. After three years of study and some social time in San Francisco, she returned to Southern Oregon and, finding employment elusive, fell into the house cleaning business in 1988. Four years later she was the mother of two daughters.
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| Jessica Brunson, Karen Morris and Jazlynn Brunson. |
Karen went back to school, this time at Southern Oregon University. After obtaining a degree in computer science, Karen began searching for a job to utilize her newly acquired talents. The hard truth is that finding a good job in Ashland is a challenging task that requires determination, perseverance and a relative who already owns a business who is looking for help. The job search turned up little of value, so she went back to the house cleaning business, though this time with a different perspective. She thought to how she could build a business that would permit a single mom to earn enough money to support a family, while allowing time to live a full life, enjoy a home with growing children and maintaining the dignity that adequate income provides.
Members of her team no longer harbor financial fears. They help each other without being asked and find themselves members of a working business family. Friendships flourish, communications are clear and the mood is both supportive and light-hearted. Karen's examples of organization, self-discipline and hard work transfer from work to the home, resulting in environments full of love, caring and ground rules. The children know where the boundaries are and what is expected, resulting in open communications within the family and a feeling of being included in the home team. Many in The Cleaning Crew are creative and find that they have the free time to get involved in other ventures and interests, leading to further financial gains and greater self-esteem.
Karen started with what worked for her, then shared the formula with her working family, resulting in a bond that entwines all in a feeling of security, high self-worth and hope for the future.
It's a clean deal for everyone.
You may reach Karen at 482-0406, should you wish help from The Cleaning Crew.
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Top row: Grayson Berry, Scooter Hall, Karen Morris, Pamela Chives, Renee Fisk and Becky Schalz Bottom row: Crista Holmberg, Jessica Brunson, Jazlynn Brunson and Blair Ritchie |
