Exploring Life & Business with Crystal & Gene Hughey of Corporate Cleaning Inc (CCI)

Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal & Gene Hughey.

Hi Crystal & Gene, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The story begins in January 1985 at The Ohio State University, where Gene and Crystal first met. What started as a fast friendship quickly grew into something more. By April, they were dating, and just a few weeks later, Gene proposed. In the fall of 1986, they were married, beginning a lifelong partnership rooted in shared values, ambition, adventure, and faith.

In the fall of 1989, while Crystal was finishing college, they welcomed their son into the world. Like many young families, they set their sights on building a stable future, pursuing careers, saving for a home, and creating a life filled with opportunity. Gene quickly found success in retail management, becoming one of the youngest store managers at McDonald’s in 1986. He later went on to manage both Long John Silver’s and Blockbuster Video locations. While these roles provided financial stability, they came at a cost—long hours, seven-day workweeks, and constant demands that left little room for family life.

Crystal’s career began similarly in management at McDonald’s while finishing her degree. Veering from her degree path, she opted for the consistent hours of an executive assistant at National City Bank to focus on raising her family. Although she enjoyed the work, the ceiling for growth and income was limited. Much of her earnings went toward after-school care, lunches, and parking, highlighting the need for a different path. As their son entered kindergarten, Gene and Crystal realized something needed to change.

After thoughtful discussion, they made a bold decision: Crystal would step away from corporate America and explore part-time work in cleaning through a friend’s company. This enabled her to spend more time at home, flex her schedule, and still create income. What began as a simple job quickly became something more. Crystal discovered she genuinely loved the work, the transformation, the detail, the earning potential, and the sense of accomplishment. Determined to turn that passion into opportunity, she went to the Worthington Public Library to research marketing strategies, created her own brochures at Kinkos, and began cold-calling local businesses. Her persistence paid off when she secured their very first contract.

The first major opportunity came at Olentangy Commons, a 26-acre multifamily property that would become a foundational part of their growth. It was there that they refined their skills, developed efficient processes, and learned the nuances of pricing and scheduling under the guidance of an experienced property manager who played a pivotal role in shaping their operational excellence. During this time, Gene continued working full-time, managing a Blockbuster store, supporting the business in the evenings and on weekends. There were seasons of intense demand when long nights turned into early mornings. On more than one occasion, they created a makeshift pallet in a freshly cleaned apartment so their young son could sleep while they finished their work.

Crystal often worked late into the night, cleaning large facilities on her own, including a massive two-story clubhouse. One unforgettable night, she even stood in front of a moving vehicle to stop someone from stealing their vacuum. Looking back, she laughs, realizing the work could have waited, but her commitment never wavered. Their philosophy became simple and enduring: if you want to start a business, find something you love, something you would do even if you were not paid, and then build a way to make it sustainable.

In August 1994, a defining shift occurred when they joined Columbus Christian Center. This season marked a deep transformation, not only in their finances, but in their faith, business savvy, and long-term vision. It became the spiritual foundation that would guide their business decisions and leadership approach for decades to come. What began as one property soon grew to three, then four, and steadily beyond. By January 2000, their accountant gave Gene pivotal advice: it was time to leave retail management and join Corporate Cleaning full-time. Within a year, the transition was complete, and the true partnership behind the business was fully realized.

From those humble beginnings, Corporate Cleaning has grown into a thriving company employing more than 25 team members. Today, their workforce is family-oriented, multi-generational, and built on a culture of excellence. Every team member is trained through the CCI Process: a structured, multi-step standard operating system designed to ensure consistency, uphold GBAC cleaning standards, and deliver exceptional customer service. What started with a vacuum, a stack of homemade brochures, and relentless determination has become a company defined by professionalism, resilience, and purpose. And through it all, one thing has never changed. A commitment to doing the job right and being the best at what they do. They live by their motto: “It’s not just clean, it’s Corporate Clean!”

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This journey has been anything but smooth. Like most businesses built from the ground up, this company was forged through challenge, uncertainty, boldness, and perseverance. In the early years, the struggle was deeply personal. Not working meant not eating. We balanced full-time jobs while building the business at night and on weekends, often working through exhaustion just to keep the momentum going. There were seasons when cash flow was tight, and every new contract meant the difference between getting ahead or simply staying afloat. We learned quickly that passion alone was not enough. We needed discipline, sacrifice, prayer, processes, and an unwavering belief in what we were building.

As the company grew, new challenges emerged. Scaling from a two-person operation into a structured organization required us to learn everything—from hiring and training to systems, pricing, and leadership—often the hard way. Finding and retaining reliable labor has been a constant hurdle in our industry, and during periods of labor shortages, we had to step in ourselves and do whatever it took to meet our commitments. Over the past 30 years, we have also weathered broader economic storms. Recessions tested our resilience, forcing us to become more efficient, strategic, and financially disciplined. Cash flow management remained a critical challenge, especially during periods of rapid growth when expenses often outpaced incoming revenue.

One of the most defining tests came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many businesses, we faced uncertainty, operational disruption, and concerns for the safety of both our team and our clients. At the same time, the demand for high-quality, compliant cleaning services increased dramatically. We had to quickly adapt, implementing new protocols, strengthening training, and rising to meet a higher standard of responsibility in a rapidly changing environment. Perhaps the most complex transition has been evolving from a husband-and-wife startup into a multifaceted organization with a growing team. That shift required not only operational changes, but a complete transformation in mindset, from doing the work ourselves to building systems, developing leaders, and trusting others to carry the vision forward. But through every challenge: long nights, financial pressure, labor shortages, economic downturns, and global disruption, we did not just survive, we thrived. We adopted new policies and dug deeper into our faith. We grew stronger and wiser, building a company that is resilient, purpose-driven, and positioned for the future. The road has not always been easy, but it has always been worth it.

We’ve been impressed with Corporate Cleaning Inc (CCI), but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At the core, this company is built on faith, family, and a relentless commitment to excellence. For more than 30 years, CCI has grown from a two-person operation into a trusted, multi-faceted cleaning company, without ever losing sight of what matters most: people. The foundation is rooted in our core values:
-Building Lasting Relationships
-Exceeding Customer Expectations
-Passionately Pursuing Excellence
-Positively Innovate, Create, and Inspire
These are not just words, they guide how we serve our clients, support our team, and make decisions every day.
We specialize in commercial cleaning and construction cleaning, with a strong focus on multi-family housing, new construction projects, power washing, rehab projects, retail spaces, office buildings, warehouses, and large-scale residential communities.

Over the years, we’ve become known for:
-Delivering consistent, high-quality results
-Managing complex, high-volume cleaning projects
-Providing reliable, professional service at scale
-Complying with all safety protocols
-Increasing our client’s peace of mind

What truly sets us apart is the combination of professional systems and personal commitment. CCI operates with intention and discipline through our CCI Process, a multi-step standard operating system. But beyond systems, it is our people-first culture that makes the difference. We are a family-based, multi-generational team, and we treat our employees and clients like partners. That culture shows up in our reliability, our communication, and our willingness to go the extra mile. We are most proud of building a brand that stands for trust, integrity, and excellence, earned over decades, not declared overnight.

CCI represents:
A reputation for doing what we say we will do
Long-standing relationships with clients who have grown alongside us
A team of “cleaning champions” who take pride in their work
We have never aimed to be the biggest; we have aimed to be the best at what we do, and we are.

We want readers to know that we are more than a cleaning company. We are a solutions-driven partner committed to helping our clients succeed. When you work with us, you can expect:
-A team that builds lasting relationships, not just contracts
-A standard of service focused on exceeding expectations, not meeting minimums
-A culture that passionately pursues excellence in every detail
-A process that pursues and incorporates industry best practices

Whether it is a single property or a large-scale project, we approach every opportunity with the same mindset: serve well, deliver consistently, and leave every space better than we found it. Because at the end of the day, our work is about more than cleaning, it is about creating environments where people can live, work, and thrive.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
If we could go back to the beginning, we would tell ourselves this: **you don’t have to do it alone—and you shouldn’t.**

One of the most important decisions is **who you surround yourself with**. There will always be naysayers, but you truly need to find some yaysayers. Yaysayers are people who will nurture your dreams, offer realistic feedback, further your professional development, help you through the hard times, and cheer for your success. Build relationships with people who are ahead of you, alongside you, and willing to challenge and support you. Mentors, peers, advisors, networking groups, and even other business owners can offer perspectives that save you time, money, and unnecessary mistakes.

Along with that, **ask for help**. Early on, it is easy to feel like you need to have all the answers, but growth happens faster when you are willing to learn from others. We have been blessed to build our business in a community like Columbus, Ohio, where support for small businesses is strong, and collaboration is encouraged. There are people and resources out there; you just have to be willing to reach for them.

Another key lesson is to **set clear, actionable goals**. We recommend using SMART goals: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. It is not enough to say “we want to grow.” Define what growth looks like, when you want to achieve it, how you are going to get there, and how the achievement of that goal will be celebrated. Clarity creates momentum.

Just as important is understanding your **“why.”** Why are you starting this business? Is it to create extra income? To support your family? To make an impact in your community? To create meaningful jobs for others? Your “why” becomes your anchor during the hard seasons and helps you define success. When challenges come, your purpose is what keeps you moving forward. Clear goals create a well-rounded view and plan for success.

Finally, be prepared for the long game. Success rarely happens overnight. It is built through consistency, resilience, and a willingness to grow through every stage, from doing everything yourself to eventually building a team and trusting others to help carry the vision. One thing we have learned is: **Stay grounded in your purpose, stay connected to God, stay open to learning, and stay committed to the process.** The journey may not be perfect, but it will be worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.corporatecleaning.us/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corporatecleaning.us/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCIcleaning
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2970250/admin/dashboard/
• Twitter: https://x.com/CCI_Cleaning