Today we’d like to introduce you to Victor Fernandez.
Victor, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
iShine started as a dream to have a business to call my own, in which I could provide for my family. With $200 in my pocket, I set out to buy hand soap at Home Depot, and from there, I started going to restaurants offering restroom sanitation services. After receiving many “no’s,” I slowly started to gain more clients and set a new goal to provide a range of products for these clients, such as paper. I began purchasing cases of paper products, which allowed for more avenues to explore.
I also had to confront the stereotype that I was “just a small business,” and compete with larger corporations that had a different sense of security to them. Clients at the time were hesitant to rely on smaller business, but we rapidly were able to prove our dedication to our work and dispel any fears they had, which we continue to do. Because we are a smaller business, we’re able to provide more care for our clients, which are always like our family. Our client relationships are based on providing the best products and services while earning trust, which is why we do not require a contract.
After 12 years, we’ve been lucky to have come this far. With over 100 clients, we’ve started our line of sanitizing products and provide the best commercial restroom sanitizing service from San Diego to Riverside. However, we recognize that we have a long way to go because the dream never ends and neither does our passion.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing in life is ever a smooth road. Everything is achieved through perseverance and effort, which serves as motivation to continue working. Our biggest struggle was financing. We started with $200 and a dream, which we were lucky to be able to realize through our commitment. Familial sacrifices are a significant struggle, as working to establish a company can cause 18-hour workdays, which were common once we started. After a multitude of these sacrifices, including having our meals consist of ramen for days on end, we’ve been able to achieve another level of success day by day. It’s also been thanks to the help of our wonderful clients, especially Mrs. Margarita Alvarez, who has aided iShine tremendously.
We’ve also had to face the reality of having doors shut in our faces at times. We’ve picked ourselves up from these occasions and have been able to utilize them as learning experiences. The struggle comes in having to work towards any negativity presented and harness that into motivation, not allowing it to hinder our progress or work. One of our main messages within iShine has always been to be able to find a silver lining in any situation, which is what has allowed us to continue.
Please tell us about your business.
iShine specializes in hygiene, providing the best commercial restroom sanitizing services we can for our clients. Not only are we able to achieve this through our Weekly Service, but through our Deep Cleaning Service as well. The Weekly Service is a complete detailing of all the restrooms using specialized cleaners and includes air fresheners, urinal screens, and antibacterial hand soap. Once this is done, we apply a hospital-grade germicide on all fixtures. The Deep Cleaning Service is the perfect service to supplement our weekly restroom maintenance. This is a complete detailing of the entire restroom from floor to ceiling, blowing out vents, dusting ledges, light fixtures, stall partitions and hard to reach areas. Then, we inject appropriate chemicals on floors, walls, partitions and anything waterproof to lift and remove most grease, stains and uric acid build up in grout by hand or brush scrubbing. After this, we reclaim all the chemicals and water used in this process and apply a germicide throughout the entire restroom.
Additionally, we provide the best paper products, such as paper towels, napkins, toilet paper, etc, for commercial businesses, at prices that benefit our clients. Our products not only clean surfaces but they ensure the sanitation of them, while also causing the least damage as possible to our environment and ensuring the satisfaction of our clients.
I’m most proud of the passion we have for this business. Every member of our company gives their best efforts while working to ensure that our clients are happy, which has helped us build this business to what it is now. This same passion is also what sets us apart from others. Every day we are ready to face new opportunities and challenges within our company, which serves as motivation to continue providing the best services possible at maximum effort.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
When I was gifted my first suit as a child, by a family friend. She would often come by with clothing to give us, as we were extremely poor and I felt as though it was my first “real” outfit, even if it wasn’t new.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4621 Iowa St.
Apt. A
San Diego, CA 92116 - Website: www.ishineus.com
- Phone: (619) 674-0981
- Email: ferace_shine@att.net
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ishinehygiene?igshid=3s7pt9dmve4s
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ishineih/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/IshineHygiene
Image Credit:
Morelia Fernandez & Barbara Fernandez
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