ALBUQUERQUE SBDC AT CNM
2003 ALBUQUERQUE SBDC SUCCESS STORY
Fresh & Clean Portable Restrooms, Inc.
Robert Medina, President ~ Orrin King, Vice President
http://www.freshandclean-pr.com/index.html
In February 2003, Robert Medina and Orrin King, owners of Fresh & Clean, were recognized at the State Legislature on NMSBDC Day as the 2003 SBDC Business of the Year. This is an annual event where all 18 centers of the NMSBDC Network recognize their own successful businessperson.
In 1999, Robert Medina and Orrin King requested assistance from the Albuquerque Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Their goal was to start a portable restroom business offering first class facilities and a higher standard of sanitation. With the assistance of the SBDC, they developed a strong business plan and projections to help them obtain funding for their venture. "The SBDC guidance was invaluable in the preparation of our plan and presentation to our lender," stated Mr. King. They received approval for their loan and in April of 1999, Mr. Medina and Mr. King started Fresh and Clean Portable Restrooms, Inc. providing portable restrooms for special events, parties, and job sites in Albuquerque, NM. Their first year sales reached $190,000 and Fresh and Clean has seen 100% growth consecutively in the last three years of operation. They currently have five full-time and two part-time employees and are seeking to expand into Albuquerque's surrounding areas, including Santa Fe. They have also added luxury portable restrooms complete with oak finishing and temporary sinks and showers into their product line. The primary goal of Fresh & Clean is to upgrade sanitation for all industries.
Fresh & Clean is very active in the Albuquerque community and provides services to the Journal Pavilion, New Mexico State Fair, International Balloon Fiesta, the City of Albuquerque Summer Fest, and the Annual Run for the Zoo. They also provide services to the National High School Finals Rodeo in Farmington, NM. Robert is an active member of the Board of Directors for Housing New Mexico, and it is with this affiliation that Fresh & Clean volunteers both their services and time to Habitat for Humanity and Christmas in April. From 1999 through 2001 they donated in-kind services to the annual Carrie Tingley Mudd Volleyball event. In addition to all of these accomplishments, Fresh & Clean also provided emergency equipment to the 2000 Los Alamos Cerro Grande Fire, as well as to the largest forest fire in U.S. history, the Salmon Fire in Idaho.
Robert and Orrin continue to consult with the SBDC as their business grows. They seek assistance with financial analysis, marketing strategies, and strategic planning. Robert says, "The SBDC gave us direction on where to start and how to accomplish our goals. With their assistance we were able to review the industry in depth, which helped minimize our risk and allowed us to see how we were going to get the highest return on our investment. Most importantly, the strong relationship with the SBDC continues three and a half years after our opening. They are a dependable source for starting and growing a small business."
