Inspiring Conversations with Ira Latham of Wall 2 Floor Clean

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ira Latham.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In late 2019, my then 9-year-old son and I were talking about his entrepreneurial goals. He got his first taste of entrepreneurship by going with his month on Saturday mornings to yard sales. With the help of his month, he learned how to buy items from yard sales. He would buy things furniture and sell them on the Facebook marketplace (see him on social media @Kid-a-preneur). Bing a business school grad and having experience isn’t startups as well as working on the corporate world, I have been coaching him on business and helping him set his goals.

His goal was to own a Little Creasers pizza franchise. After explaining he would need capital and more business experience, we started to both do research on what business would be a good first start. We both decided on starting a carpet and tile cleaning business that we could do after school for him and work for me. I saw it as an opportunity to spend time with him and teach him everything I know, as well as teaching him how to work hard and service customers and his community.

Once we made the decision it was off to the races, we researched and learned how to properly clean carpet and tile floors. Bought some 2nd hand equipment and got started on doing some jobs for family and friends. Once we felt confident that we could make it work, we decided to make it official with a name and logo. Here is our big review of why we choose the logo of our family-owned company Here (https://www.facebook.com/KidaPreneur/videos/946147026151472). After getting a few jobs, our business started to pick up as we focused on doing things right.

So much so, that I decided to quit my corporate job as a Product Owner in the financial technology industry. It was a bit of a scary move, but I would rather be doing this with my family and serving customers in my community! It sounds a bit crazy sure, 10-year-old and his dad starting a business and going for it, Yep! Sometimes I laugh at the idea of it myself but This was not my first rodeo. While in the Marine Corp as a Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear defense specialist.

I learned all about cleaning up some nasty messes. Being a business school grad, I have a bit of education and understanding of business, and has been a part of a few startups I know the amount of work that goes into getting a business off the ground. It’s not for the faint in heart.

I have surrounded myself with amazing people and owe much of what I know to them. For that reason, I try and help others get started on their dreams too.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No roads are smooth. the hardest part was making the jump from my comfortable career in tech, to self-employed carpet and tile cleaner extraordinary. If I can tell someone that’s contemplating making the same kind of jump from employee to owner one thing, DO it, take the step. Get uncomfortable and see where the road takes you. You are given one shot, and no matter what happens we don’t get out alive, so DO IT!

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Wall 2 Floor Clean?
The company was started in 2020 by a father and son.

The father Ira Latham, is a USMC veteran, an experienced entrepreneur, and a business owner with a strong background in business. Ira is the owner-operator of Wall 2 Floor Clean. He is a Marine Corps veteran Where is learned the fundamentals of Service and ironically, Cleaning, as he was a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear defense specialist.

After his time in service, he continued his education earning a master’s in business. To teach his kids the importance of hard work, and how to start a business, Ira started Wall 2 Floor Clean as a side Hussle with his oldest son. It wasn’t long before his dedication to quality work, professionalism, and desire to serve helped grow Wall 2 Floor Clean into the company it is today.

The son, 11-year-old, Hendrix Latham (a.k.a the Kid-A-Preneur ). Got his start from buying items like furniture at yard sales around his neighborhood and selling them online for a profit. Hendrix quickly gained a love for business and set his goal on to one day buy a Little Caesar’s Franchise!

To make that goal happen, Hendrix and his dad, Ira, decided to start Wall2FloorClean.com a Carpet and Tile cleaning company that services the East Valley of the Phoenix Metro Area in Arizona

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Eating Pizza with my family at our favorite pizza restaurant Godfathers Pizza.

Pricing:

• 3 Rooms carpet or Tile cleaning for $120

Contact Info:

• Email: W2FClean@gmail.com
• Website: https://wall2floorclean.com/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wall2floorclean/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wall2Floorclean
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1V76oDzgL41Yz6VEBwcRCQ
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wall-2-floor-clean-gilbert-2

Image Credits
Ira Latham, Hendrix Latham