Meet Gabriel, Owner of Aras Carpet Cleaning in Downtown Tracy

Meet Gabriel, Owner of Aras Carpet Cleaning in Downtown Tracy
Meet Gabriel, Owner of Aras Carpet Cleaning in Downtown Tracy

Describe your business

We are a local family-owned carpet cleaning service with almost 19 years of experience in the business. We utilize two top-of-the-line machines and stay up-to-date with the latest cleaning techniques. Our cleaning process involves the use of organic shampoos, ensuring the health and safety of both the carpets and their owners. As evidenced by our 5-star reviews, we are committed to providing the best possible service. 

Why did you choose this profession?

I really enjoy our work. I used to have a neighbor who owned a rug/carpet business, and watching him work and design carpets while cleaning my home was fascinating to me. So, I decided to pursue certification in the field. It’s fulfilling to hear customers express their satisfaction with my work and refer me to others. In the future, we plan to expand our services to include tile cleaning and invest in new machinery. I want to attend school for this so we can demonstrate our certification to our customers. 

Meet Gabriel, Owner of Aras Carpet Cleaning in Downtown Tracy

What drives you to do what you do? What motivates you?

My customers have been very pleased with my services ever since I completed my certification and invested in new equipment. One particular customer in Mountain House had difficulty removing a stain, and when she contacted other companies, they were unable to assist her.

However, I was able to help her and left a lasting impression. She even recommended my services to others. While earning money is one of the reasons why I work, it’s not the only one. I genuinely enjoy what I do, especially when I see the satisfaction on my customers’ faces and know that I have made a positive impact. 

What has surprised you most when owning a business?

I have decided to make a significant change in my career. I spent a considerable amount of time working for another company while juggling two jobs. However, I realized that I wanted to become my own boss and work independently. I am excited about the opportunity to hire new employees and build a professional company from the ground up. It is a significant change, but I am ready for the challenge. 

What was it like when you first started?

My neighbor was relocating and asked me to lend him some money. He promised to repay me within two months and offered his machine as collateral. I agreed and purchased the machine, keeping it in my possession. However, I knew that I needed to gain professional skills to operate the machine effectively, so I enrolled in a certification program. While I learned the necessary skills to clean carpets and sofas, I also realized the importance of attracting customers to my business. I started distributing flyers and business cards to people in the area while still working my regular job. I watched numerous videos to learn about new organic chemicals and techniques to improve my cleaning services. 

Do you have any plans to expand your business in the future?

I recently expanded my business by purchasing another machine three weeks ago. I am currently focusing on advertising my services to attract more customers. In the future, I hope to have two to three more machines in my company. Starting a business can be challenging, especially since I am currently working by myself. However, I plan to hire someone in the future and send them to school to ensure that they have the skills to provide high-quality carpet cleaning services. It’s crucial to know which chemicals to use while cleaning carpets; otherwise, it can damage them. My ultimate goal is to expand my services to include cleaning tiles and kitchen granites, which will help me gain more satisfied customers. 

Meet Gabriel, Owner of Aras Carpet Cleaning in Downtown Tracy
Meet Gabriel, Owner of Aras Carpet Cleaning in Downtown Tracy

How long have you lived in the neighborhood?

I am from Mexico, but I came to Tracy when I was 16 years old, in 1989. I attended Tracy High School and graduated in 1993. As I grew up, I worked for various businesses and restaurants. I went to school to learn about cleaning because I enjoy seeing the satisfied and happy faces of customers, which motivates me to work harder. Eventually, I began earning more money than I would working for someone else, and in 2002, I started my own business. 

What do you love most about the neighborhood?

I am pleased with the schools my children have attended and with the school system overall. I appreciate everything about the community, particularly its small-town feel. I have noticed a significant positive change in Tracy over time, particularly with regards to the schools. Additionally, I have found that the police in Tracy are quick to react to incidents, which provides an added sense of security. Whenever someone relocates to Tracy, I always recommend it to them, as there is a low crime rate, and police and firefighters are quick to respond in case of emergencies.

Meet Gabriel, Owner of Aras Carpet Cleaning in Downtown Tracy
Meet Gabriel, Owner of Aras Carpet Cleaning in Downtown Tracy

Have you witnessed any significant changes since moving here?

I often encounter customers who remember me from a long time ago, and I can see that everyone has grown older. In recent years, many new businesses have emerged in Tracy, and I can recall when it was just a small community back in 1992. Nowadays, there are significantly more people and housing options available. As I continued to work, I noticed that my business was also expanding, and with an increase in the number of people coming to the area, I also received more business. I have observed that there are many people moving into Tracy. As part of my work, I am responsible for cleaning homes before new residents move in, and I have seen an increase in demand for this service. Additionally, I have noticed that many people are also moving into nearby communities such as Mountain House. As someone who lives in Tracy, specifically in the Lammers area, I have also witnessed people relocating from other neighboring communities.

What do you want to see improve the most in this neighborhood?

It would be beneficial to have a better mall with a wider variety of stores in Tracy. Additionally, it would be great if we could reduce the amount of traffic on 11th street. Sometimes, I have to travel outside of Tracy to do my shopping, such as going to Manteca. I strongly believe that we need to reinvest money back into Tracy. My wife and I have noticed that the mall seems to be declining, with fewer stores, leading to people moving away. Furthermore, there seems to be an increase in littering, which was not as common before. It takes a lot of time and effort to clean up the streets, and it’s frustrating to see trash lying around, even near places like Costco. In fact, you can see garbage that has been left unattended for weeks. I don’t know who is responsible for this, but it’s a recent problem that needs to be addressed. 

Meet Gabriel, Owner of Aras Carpet Cleaning in Downtown Tracy

Note: This article is about Aras Carpet Cleaning. Please visit their profile page to find more information and review the business.