Roberto Ramirez
History:
TIDY, LLC is a multi-custodial service company with more than 34 years of experience in commercial and industrial cleaning services utilizing innovative and environmentally conscious practices. They provide a holistic cleaning service approach to meet all of their projects’ needs and deadlines. By using the most effective cleaning and eco-friendly methods, their bilingual staff is fully trained and available “On-Demand” to meet and exceed expectations.
TIDY, LLC is committed to providing personalized and dependable high-quality service in every project. TIDY has proven that they can far exceed expectations even in the most challenging, time-sensitive projects, with capabilities of starting projects immediately with limited notice. TIDY, LLC offers industrial cleaning, general office cleaning, sanitation services, emergency cleaning, window washing, floor and carpet cleaning and more.
Toyota Motor Sales was their first client and continues to use TIDY, LLC’ s services today.
Tell us about your journey to starting the business:
“My story is what makes me who I am today,” says Roberto Ramirez, President and CEO. “ I was born in Mexico and left to fend for us were Guadalupe, Jesus’ widow and her nine children. Fearing reprisals against her family, Guadalupe made the painful decision to leave Mexico and migrate to the United States where she joined an uncle living in Chicago, Illinois.”
To say that life was difficult for his family would be a vast understatement. At this point, Roberto made a conscious decision to leave school and his dreams behind in order to help support his family. Roberto started out working 12-to-15-hour days at several part-time jobs until 1982 when he began working full-time as a janitor for a cleaning Company.
After five years of hard work, he decided it was time to put those valuable years of experience to the test. He asked the owner of the company if he could further develop his talents in a sales position. No one, including Roberto, would know how much determination the word “no” would evoke in him. With little more than $20 needed to open a checking account and $100 he borrowed from his mother, Roberto founded TIDY LLC, a full janitorial services company. Growth came slowly at first and the hours Roberto invested to make his dream a reality was plentiful.
In 1996, just six years after starting his company, Roberto founded the Jesus-Guadalupe Foundation in 1997. Named after his parents, (Jesus his father and Guadalupe his mother) Roberto was named in Illinois to the Governor’s Commission on Capital Punishment. At the same time, Roberto was elected to the Board of Directors of Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP). Roberto does not discount his hard work which has resulted in his business growth, but he always credits others.
“I have been lucky and blessed and there have been so many people who have believed in me and in what I have wanted to accomplish,” said Roberto.
About the Author:
Roberto Ramirez, President & CEO of Tidy LLC, has been honored with multiple awards and recognitions for his role as the Founder, President & CEO of TIDY. He is recognized for his entrepreneurial initiatives and philanthropic efforts. Under Roberto’s leadership, TIDY has become a leading company in the industry and is ranked among the fastest-growing Hispanic companies in the United States.
Roberto and TIDY have been honored with the “Chicago Hispanic Business of the Year” award presented by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA). Roberto has served on the HACIA Board of Directors and is a current member of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Roberto has over 30 years of professional experience.
“We understand the diverse needs of our clients and meet
every project with optimism and dedication. WE are a
cleaning service that cares.”
– Roberto Ramirez