By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



Businesses and companies who need cleaning services have a new option in Gardendale.

Hill’s Janitorial Service, founded in 1988 by Bryant HIll, opened an office on Mt. Olive Road in October of 2006.

The service employs 64 people and offers commercial janitorial service, including cleaning of the facility and carpets, stripping and waxing of floors and day-to-day cleaning. The business also offers day and night cleaning.

Hill said he opened the branch in Gardendale to accommodate his family. He and his wife, Dawna, have three children who attend schools in Gardendale.

“I can tell you a lot of nice things about the city, but it was just convenient,” Hill said.

Hill is also a rarity in Gardendale — he’s a black business owner. However, he said he’s witnessed no discrimination toward him and he praised the city for the advantages it offers all business owners, no matter what their race.

“I believe Gardendale does offer opportunity, no matter if you’re white, black or whatever,” he said. “I’m honored to be part of the Chamber of Commerce and the people that have crossed my path are people I can say are genuine people and are real about what they do.”

Hill said he first got into commercial cleaning through meeting Dr. Robert Carraway shortly after finishing college. Hill, who played baseball at Virginia State University, had hoped to play professionally.

“When I didn’t make pro, Dr. Robert Carraway did a seminar at Virginia State University,” he said. “I met him and he told me to call him if I needed a job. I gave him a call, and that’s how I ended up in the cleaning business.”

Hill, who has a self-described “passion” for his work, said he was proud of several things as a business owner.

He said his business is set up to empower his employees to reach goals in their life. He said another fact that he’s proud of is that he pays his employees above minimum wage.

“We’ve been very fortunate to have made good money over the years,” he said. “My employees make $8 to $9 an hour.”

Hill said he also wasn’t afraid to work with them if a situation calls for it. “I don’t mind work at all,” he said. “We’re all in this together.”

Hill’s Janitorial Service is located in Gardendale at 999 Mt. Olive Road, Suite 201. The business can be reached by phone at 631-1564 and can also be found on the Web page for the Greater Gardendale Chamber of Commerce at www.gardendalechamberofcommerce.com.