From Joe Vizi, who runs Eco-Scrub, a Concord, Georgia–based family-owned carpet-cleaning business with his wife Renee.
About six months ago, we went to clean carpets for an elderly couple. They lived in a small two-bedroom assisted-living place about forty-five minutes away from our home. It was easy to see that they really needed help: the Mrs. could not stand any straighter than at a ninety-degree bend at her waist, and the Mr. is legally blind.
Renee and I were there for a good three hours. It took us more time to organize their home than it did to do the actual carpet cleaning. We noticed some stacks of framed family pictures, but none were hanging on the walls.
Two weeks later, we paid the couple another visit.
They were surprised to see us. We told them we’d come to help them hang their pictures. The elderly lady burst into tears. She said she couldn’t believe someone would go out of their way like this for them.
“We can’t pay you,” she said, although we hastened to assure her that we were not expecting to be paid, “but what we can do is pray for you, and that we will.”
Now, I’m not a deeply religious man, but I do believe that what goes around, comes around.
About two weeks later we attended an annual dinner for our local chamber of commerce—and to our surprise, we were awarded the county’s Small Business of the Year! Based on what our clients tell us, winning that award has been responsible for about 35 percent of our new business in the past six months, putting its value in the thousands of dollars.
God, karma, whatever you believe is your choice—but it’s clear to me that helping others is really for your benefit, and not only theirs. And it is great to sleep in peace every night.
This is a friend of Renee’s. From what I read every day, you guys have deserved all you have received. Good job!!
I love your website – super work!