Parker County Today May 2016 | Page 58

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. 56 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