our biz: INTERVIEW
Talk
with the
Business Titans
MICHEL AND MATT KINDER
BY KATIE RODGERS
MAY 2016
PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY
VALTIERRA CARPET CLEANING
PCT: How did you get into this field?
Michel Kinder: We got into this field
after my father decided to start his
own janitorial service back in 1982.
He decided to add carpet cleaning
to his business. He wanted to have a
business that he could one day leave
to my brother and myself to run as
our own. I will never forget the first
carpet-cleaning job he did. He went
and got a portable carpet-cleaning
machine and had no idea what he
was doing. He said he got the carpet
soaking wet and had no idea how to
get the water out. He felt so bad that
he could not charge the customers.
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He went on to buy a truck mounted
machine and took classes on carpet
cleaning; he became certified as a
master carpet cleaner and came up
with “The Most Thorough Cleaning
on the Planet or it’s Free.” He learned
how to clean every kind of carpet
and rug that he could.
PCT: What made you want to start
your own business?
Michel Kinder: Matt and I made the
decision to take over the business for
my dad when my mom became very
ill. After the death of my brother – he
was only 19 years old and in a car
accident – my mom never recovered
from the loss. My dad cared for her
every day until she passed away
many years later. So he could no
longer run the business and we didn’t
want it to not exist anymore. My dad
had great clients and he worked very
hard and made it very successful. I
am very thankful every day for him
giving us the opportunity to take over
and keep it going.
PCT: In your opinion, what is the best
part of the job?
Michel Kinder: The best part of it is
getting to meet so many people in