Though virtually unknown of in 2005, Sundown Services of Huntsville LLC has managed to establish itself as a leading competitor in the local commercial janitorial market. The brother-and-sister team of Joshua and Sangreal Smith know firsthand how hard work and dedication to clients can create a successful business. “Starting out, we knew that Huntsville would be a hard market to crack. This family
owned and operated business was originally founded by Joshua and Sangreal’s mother, Sunetta Curtis, in 1993 in Fort Payne, AL. Prior to founding Sundown Services, Sunetta started working in the janitorial field in the mid 1970s with the first family business, Executive Housekeeping. Joshua, Sangreal, and their four siblings were literally raised in the business. “After our parents divorced, our mother started Sundown Services and selected this unique name because our janitorial work is usually performed after sundown,” Sangreal says. “Josh and I worked with her throughout high school and college. We worked so well together, that we eventually decided to go into business together. In June 2005, Josh and I opened Sundown Services of Huntsville.”
Joshua, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business/Entrepreneurship and Small Family Business from the University of Alabama, works closely alongside Sangreal, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Mississippi University for Women. Together, their skills bring top-quality janitorial services and customer service to small and large commercial companies in north Alabama. Sundown Services will do everything from taking out the trash to stripping and waxing floors. A sampling of their services include general or advanced office cleaning, construction clean-up, tile floor care, and carpet cleaning. As Josh puts it, “We tailor a program to fit each client’s needs. When we meet with clients, we find out what is important to them, and we develop a cleaning program to meet and exceed their needs. Funny as it may sound, we actually get excited about coming in to a dirty facility and making it look drastically different. We thank our customers for letting us do their dirty work.”
Sundown Services is very proud of its high rate of customer retention. “We have a nearly flawless customer retention rate and we strive for 100% customer satisfaction,” Joshua says. “We’ve only had one customer leave us, and that wasn’t because of our work, but rather the client’s budgetary situation.” Joshua continues, “We may not always be the cheapest, but we’re the best. We’re all about quality performance.”
Sundown Services works for many prominent businesses throughout North Alabama, with a wide array of clients in many different industries ranging from banking, such as ever-expanding client BancorpSouth, to automotive leaders like Woody Anderson Ford. “Our goal is for each client to feel as though they are our only client,” Sangreal says. Early in 2006, Sundown Services acquired a contract with BancorpSouth in both Madison and Marshall Counties. “BancorpSouth has been very supportive of us,” Sangreal states. “We started working for them at their Guntersville branch, and we have been expanding with them ever since. They are wonderful people, and we enjoy working for them.”
Division President of BancorpSouth, Penny Billings, says, “Sundown Services makes cleaning one less thing I have to worry about. I have been in Banking for a while and Sundown is clearly the best cleaning company I have worked with. They are responsive to our needs and perform extra services as well. They are truly professionals.”
Sangreal and Joshua use a hands-on approach at each client’s facility, checking every detail. “I feel that what sets us apart from the competition is no matter how many employees or supervisors we amass, Josh and I will always feel the need to be actively involved,” Sangreal comments. “We stay on top of each job,” Joshua adds. “We realize that our clients have pressing responsibilities and do not have time to worry about the cleaning. That’s our job. We supervise each client’s account, and we carefully supervise our employee’s work to make sure everything is done correctly.”
“We started working for Woody Anderson Ford in 2006,” Sangreal recalls. “I think they were a little hesitant because Josh and I did not yet have an established record in Huntsville, and we were a little younger than the competition. General Manger Joe Steelman trusted us, took a chance, and opened the door for us. We truly appreciate Joe.”
Joe Steelman says, “Woody Anderson Ford chose Sundown Services because I was so impressed with their presentation. They gave the most professional presentation that I have seen and they underbid all the others. Josh and Sangreal are the most caring people that we have ever dealt with, and they have surpassed every other cleaning service that we’ve had in the past. I don’t have to call them since they come by regularly to check on their work. I constantly get praise about their work from every department.”
Joshua and Sangreal have a strong work ethic learned from their parents. “When we meet with a potential customer, we try to convey to them just how much we are invested in our work, and that we will go above and beyond to please them,” Sangreal explains. “If we are going to put our stamp on something, then it is going to be done right. This is what separates us from our competitors. We’re family owned and directed. This is our livelihood, and we take great pride in our business. We believe that what we do today will impact our business in the future.”
