We caught up with the brilliant and insightful James & Jennifer Johnson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi James & Jennifer, thanks for joining us today. How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.
*To many, Prestige Janitorial Services may seem like an overnight success—with award-winning recognition and operations in both Michigan and Chicago. But behind the polished finish is a story of hustle, resilience, and hard-won growth.
“In the beginning, it was just us, a mop, and a mission to raise the standard of cleaning,”.
The early years were filled with late nights, personal sacrifices, and constant learning. Growth came slowly—one client, one contract, one lesson at a time. The real shift came when Prestige moved from just offering cleaning services to becoming a trusted facility management partner. That meant investing in staff training, building systems, and improving communication.
“We realized we needed to think like a big company before we could ever became one,”
Expanding into Chicago brought new challenges—from scaling teams to managing logistics—but it also proved the power of persistence and adaptability.
“Nothing about our growth was overnight. It was built step by step, with integrity and intention.”
Today, Prestige is known not just for clean spaces, but for the trust it builds with every client. And that’s the real story behind its success.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
With locations in Flint, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois, Prestige Janitorial Services is redefining what it means to be clean. Specializing in commercial cleaning solutions—from office buildings and schools to industrial spaces—Prestige delivers more than just spotless results. They deliver peace of mind.
Named the Best Cleaning Company in Flint 2024, Prestige stands out for its unwavering reliability, highly trained staff, and a hands-on approach that prioritizes both quality and client relationships. Every service is customized, every detail is intentional, and every client is treated like a partner.
“We don’t just clean spaces—we protect them,” says the team at Prestige. “Our mission is to create healthier, safer environments where people can focus on what they do best.”
With a loyal client base and a reputation built on excellence, Prestige goes beyond the basics. They’re known for showing up, doing the job right the first time, and treating every facility with the highest level of care and professionalism.
“What sets us apart is simple: we care. About the quality, about the client, and about the community,” says the company’s leadership. “When you hire Prestige, you’re not just hiring a service—you’re gaining a partner.”
Backed by passion, precision, and purpose, Prestige Janitorial Services continues to set the gold standard in cleanliness—one space at a time.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
James: I’ve read over 150 books in the past few years—personal growth and business development are part of my daily routine. Books like ‘Think and Grow Rich’, ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’, ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’, ‘Good to Great’; have shaped how I lead and serve. They’ve taught me that success isn’t just about hustle—it’s about systems, reliability, and showing up for people. That’s the same energy we bring to every client relationship: consistent, professional, and built on trust.”
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
“It’s all about consistency and trust. We’ve built our reputation by showing up, delivering every time, and treating our clients like partners. Our clients also know we have a great track record of not missing cleaning days. We don’t just focus on getting the job done—we focus on building lasting relationships where communication, reliability, and results are key. It’s that genuine commitment to our clients that sets us apart and keeps them coming back.”
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