With a steadfast commitment to quality and business success, M&R, Inc. from the Phoenix region has secured two new account locations on their way to earning yet another Crown Club honor. For the husband and wife team of Martha Llamas and Ron Puechner, the new business is a testament to perseverance.
“These accounts came by way of a very special person, Jeff Thomas,” said Llamas. “He is my hero. He is the one person in the very beginning who saw potential in me when I first started as an employee cleaning restrooms and floors for another Jani-King franchise owner. Jeff made me believe in myself. He made me feel empowered. He told me someday I could run my own business.”
“In 2002 my current husband and I purchased our Jani-King franchise and are still cleaning that same facility, which is over a million square feet. Jeff has since retired and now sits on the Board of Central Christian Church. He is the one that recommended me to clean the church and I am very excited to have these accounts.
Following her first marriage, Llamas took a job as a janitor for one of the first Phoenix based Jani-King franchise owners. She worked her way up to become the supervisor for that franchisee and then she became manager. After five years of working as an employee, Llamas and her husband decided to buy that franchise when it became available. Three years later, the couple tripled the business. Now, their franchise bills more than $1.5 million in business per year and has been for the last 14 years.
In addition to managing a growing business, Llamas continues to devote her time to helping others in all aspects of their lives and businesses.
“I am currently mentoring new franchisees who want to grow their business,” said Llamas. “I am also helping to promote domestic violence prevention and mentoring other victims of domestic violence. I am working with various groups who empower women. I just finished being on the judging panel for the Arizona Beauty Pageant and I am sponsoring Mrs. New Mexico who is running for Mrs. International in the upcoming pageant.”
