Each winter we face the same challenges as we did in the year prior: predictably cold, windy, wet, and icy weather. When it snows, and usually more than once, it's followed by the ice. The cold front, or Arctic Blast, that comes from the North will chill us to the bone and has everyone hibernating for weeks at a time. While the below-zero windchill has you cozied up inside, it has us doing something very different.

Imagine being cozied up and warm, reading a book or watching football. The heat is on and outside the snow is falling. Suddenly you hear a loud pop, or a high-pitched hissing begins to ring through the house from out of nowhere. You put down your book or press the pause button on the TV remote, and then proceed to wander through the house, investigating the source of this unusual noise. In the hallway, your carpet is wet, and now so are your socks. In the bathroom, water is pouring out from underneath the vanity sink. Your water pipe burst! 

Many families are fortunate enough to not experience this event in their lives. However, it is not uncommon to know someone who has gone through a water issue like the one just described. Even less fortunate is a family that's experienced a house fire! The winter season has its beauty and perks, but it also puts us at higher risk for these life-altering and catastrophic events. Every winter, while the snow is falling and most families are enjoying their quality time indoors, our family is putting on our snow boots, loading drying equipment, and venturing out into the elements to serve those families in need during the unfortunate circumstances for which we're called. 

When my husband Nathan and I first met, he didn’t own Mr. Power Clean – his parents did. For me, it started as something we would do together on the weekends. Sometimes we would go and pick up equipment and relocate it as needed. Other times, we would do small jobs together.

As the years passed, I saw Nathan’s knowledge, dedication to task, and work ethic when serving others. This effort helped to further elevate the company’s reputation and in turn, blessed us with an abundance of work. Our volume of work ebbs and flows with the seasons and weather. When there’s a bad storm or water pipes are frozen and bursting, you can bet that we are working long days and weekends to help families like yours. 

Eventually, my husband’s parents were ready to retire. Steve and Dana Jones had managed and operated Mr. Power Clean for 32 years. Naturally, it was our calling to purchase the business and continue the work. There have been challenges with the transition and the proverbial passing of the torch, but we have been fortunate to have our family by our side, whether it is working daily alongside us or offering their advice when needed. 

What's been the most fulfilling is being able to serve others, and being able to do this alongside family members has only added to the pride we take in serving in this type of industry. We're privileged to work with Dana, an IICRC Certified Master Restorer & Textile Cleaner, who is Nathan’s mother and a former owner of the company. One of Nathan’s younger brothers Parker fulfills a supervisory role for us. We have one employee named Shirley who has worked for the company for 35 years and can clean anything. We're lucky enough to have many certified and tenured employees who choose us as their work family. 

Keeping our team at a manageable size has allowed us to invest in those who work with us and allow them to specialize in those aspects of the job they find most interesting. When it comes to cleaning carpet, upholstery, or general cleaning, the technicians that arrive at a customer’s house not only enjoy the type of work needed, but they're also educated by industry-specific courses. I believe that every employee who provides a service in their role within our company feels a sense of belonging and pride in this organization. 

Our slogan is, “Serving the Ozarks Since 1968.” Our family’s involvement in this business of catastrophe restoration has been the epitome of what has made us successful. It will continue to be a key factor in what makes our company different for many years to come.