For Carlos Hernandez, one of the greatest benefits of BSCAI membership has been learning from people who have already faced the challenges he's navigating today.
“BSCAI has given me access to a community of business owners and industry leaders who understand the realities of building a service company, says Hernandez, co-founder of Keepers Commercial Cleaning in Mesa, Arizona. “Being able to learn from others who have faced similar challenges has been extremely valuable.”
He and his wife, Marci, started the company in 2008 with a vision to build more than a cleaning business. They wanted to grow an organization that creates meaningful opportunities for its team members, while making a positive impact on the people and facilities they serve.
Today, Keepers serves commercial clients across Arizona in industries ranging from healthcare to education to industrial. “As the company has grown,” Hernandez says, “my focus has remained on building strong leaders, creating scalable systems, and helping our team deliver a consistently high level of service. Our mission is to serve people so they can do what they love, and that continues to guide the way we lead and grow.”
What Growth Reveals About Your Business
Hernandez gives a lot of credit for Keepers’ success to his beloved spouse and the staff they have assembled. But it’s membership in BSCAI that has really helped advance the company to so many of its goals.
“For Keepers,” he says, “BSCAI has helped us think bigger and operate more strategically. The education, networking, and peer relationships have given us practical ideas that we have been able to apply to leadership development, operational systems, client service, and long-term planning.”
One of the things Hernandez values most about BSCAI’s peer-to-peer environment is the willingness of members to share what has (or hasn’t) worked for them. He recalls attending one association event where he got into a deep conversation with another business owner about the importance of creating structure before rapid growth exposes the gaps in one’s organization.
“That conversation reinforced something I have carried with me: growth will magnify whatever is already happening in your business,” he says. “It pushed me to continue focusing on systems, leadership development, and accountability — not just sales. That perspective has been important as Keepers has grown because sustainable growth requires more than winning new business. It requires building an organization that can deliver at a high level every day.”
Learning From Challenges (Not Just Wins)
The Hernandezs learned early on that contract cleaning can become a commodity if the only conversation is about price. That’s why they decided that, in order to stand out in such a competitive field, their clients would get a partner who understands the impact a clean, well-maintained facility has on their employees, customers, patients, students, visitors, and more.
“We built our company around accountability, communication, and consistent execution,” Hernandez says. “We invested in our team, developed leaders internally, and used systems that have helped us stay responsive and dependable as we have grown. Our goal is not simply to win an account; it is to earn long-term trust and become a true extension of our clients’ teams.”
He is well aware of how important first impressions are. His first impression of BSCAI all those years ago was that it was a community of serious-minded professionals who were committed to improving their business and the industry. “I appreciated that members were willing to have real conversations about the challenges of running a building service company,” he recalls, “rather than only talking about successes.”
“Over the years, I have seen BSCAI continue to evolve by creating more opportunities for education, connection, and leadership development,” he says. “The contract cleaning industry is changing quickly, especially in areas like workforce development, technology, and client expectations. BSCAI has continued to provide a space for members to learn from one another and stay focused on what is next.”
How Growth Actually Happens: Don’t Just Take Notes
Hernandez hopes to continue growing Keepers while strengthening the organization, leadership team, and systems needed to support that growth. In the second half of 2026, the company plans to focus on service excellence and expanding its footprint in commercial office, education, and industrial facilities.
He also hopes to support the next generation of industry professionals in the same way others helped him and Marci when they were starting out. His advice is simple: get involved early and be intentional about building relationships.
“The value of BSCAI is not just in the resources or events,” Hernandez says. “It is in the people you meet and the conversations you have. Ask questions, share challenges, and learn from members who are ahead of you in certain areas.”
Hernandez believes the greatest return on membership comes from taking action. “It’s easy to attend an event, take notes, and return to business as usual,” he says. “The real value comes from choosing one or two ideas, putting them into action, and consistently improving your company over time.”