Archive for Employee

Meet John Tucker

This week we took some time with our area rug specialist, Tucker to get all of the intimate details on what it’s like to work for Sams Carpet. We were so happy to hear that one of the best parts of his job is the people that he gets to work with on a daily basis here at Sams. Below, find out more on Tucker’s job, his life and what his most memorable experiences are here.

Q: How long have you been at Sams?

A: I started at Sams in October of 2015, so for 3 years.

Q: What exactly do you do as area rug specialist?

A: I do everything involved in the process except scheduling. We take the rugs out of the homes or businesses, and I also facilitate the pick-up and delivery once the rug is clean.

We have a rug plant (FrenchTown Rug Cleaning, a division of Sams) in which we run the rugs through a detailed cleaning process at the plant. After I carefully inspected the rug before giving back to customer, an office staff member calls the customer to make arrangements to picks the rugs up, or schedule for me to deliver the rug back to their home or business.

Q: Why is working at Sams different?

A: One thing that really stands out is how close everyone is at Sams. It’s like a family, and everyone sticks up for each other. If someone’s is having a bad day or a hard time, everyone tries to pick them up and make them feel better. It’s a nice clean friendly place to work, and the first job I’ve ever had that I like going to every day. I feel blessed, and on top of that it pays my bills.

Q: What is it like to work here?

A: It’s fun. Some days are rougher than others, but overall it’s really laid back, and so are the people I work with. You don’t ever hear people yelling or fighting and that’s one of the best parts of it.

Q: Do you have any memorable experiences from over the years at Sams?

A: The cool thing about this job is that you get to meet all different people, with different personalities, stories, etc. A month ago we were working on a woman’s home, and I was picking up the area rugs while another Sams tech was cleaning her sofa. It was an older couple’s home, and the lady snuck up behind the other tech scared him half to death. Those kinds of fun interactions with our clients make the job so much more personal.

Q: When you’re not busy at work, what do you do for fun?

A: I am a big fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Blues and love going to the games. When I can’t make it to the games, I catch them on TV all the time. I am also a father and I enjoy spending time outside with my son and go to the local parks.

A huge thank you goes out to Tucker for participating and sharing his Sams experience. Book him or one of our other amazing technician specialists to clean your home or business by calling 636-949-8229 to schedule an appointment.

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Meet Jake Custer

This month we’re featuring one of our fantastic technicians: Jake Custer! Jake has been with us for years and is a much-appreciate part of the Sams family. Let’s take some time to learn more about him!

Q: How long have you been at Sams?

A: I’ve actually been here nearly 10 years coming up very soon.

Q: How did you first hear about the job?

A: One of my friends was working at Sams and referred me to the job.

Q: What exactly do you do as a Technician?

A: Oh, a lot of things depending on the day. Of course there’s a lot of cleaning, but also repairs, resurfacing floors, and cleaning out air ducts. It really varies day to day. And I like that!

Q: Why is working at Sams different?

A: I’ve always enjoyed art and creating things, so I like how at Sams we make something nice out of something which may not have been so nice. There’s a lot of the satisfaction in leaving a place looking great.

Q: Do you have any memorable experiences from over the years at Sams?

A: Oh, there are lots of stories, but there’s one kind of funny one that sticks out to me. Once, I was working with another employee, kind of a fun, goofy guy, and we were working at the house of an older man, very no-nonsense, probably military. My coworker was downstairs, and I had gone outside, but he didn’t realize I had gone outside, so when he heard someone coming down the stairs, he jumped out to surprise me. Of course it wasn’t me, it was the owner, who just looked at him said “Practice your karate somewhere else.” At Sams we are a hardworking team, but we also are like a family, and a laugh or smile always brightens the day.

Q: When you’re not busy at work, what do you do for fun?

A: Most of my time is with my kids. I coach my kids’ soccer, which is great. Spending time with my family is where pretty much all my spare time goes!

We’re so glad Jake took some time to have this conversation with us, and we hope you enjoyed it too!

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Get to Know Kim Simpson

This month we’re shining the light on our wonderful Kim Simpson. Kim is our Job Controller here, and she plays a big part in helping Sams run smoothly! Let’s take a moment to get to know her a bit better!

Q: How long have you been at Sams, and how did you first hear about the job?

A: Two years this month actually! I found the job on Craigslist believe it or not.

Q: What exactly do you do as a Job Controller?

A: A little bit of everything, from interviewing, payroll, and receivables, but my main job is to make sure our Technicians are taken care of, getting help if they need it, and getting where they need to be. I also assign our daily schedule to our Technicians and adjust accordingly to make sure everything is finished throughout the day.  I am on the phone a LOT!

Q: Why is working at Sams different?

A: We’re family here, with each other and with our customers. We treat our customers like family because that’s how we would want to be treated. We pride ourselves on customer service, and always go above and beyond to make sure our customers are completely satisfied with our service.

 Q: What is it like to work here?

A: It can be crazy! But it’s also fun, even if it’s stressful sometimes. All in all, we joke and laugh and argue and laugh some more, just like family.  Jeff is great to work for. We all have families and understand when things come up from time to time, so we always try to accommodate everyone with their needs.

Q: Do you have any memorable experiences from over the years at Sams?

A: In the time that I have been here there have been a lot of things of course, but I remember knowing it was going to be a great place to work about the second of third week I was here. We had been having a lot, and I mean a LOT of rain, and we had thirty or so new flood calls within the work day. As the new girl, that was quite a bit of work that needed to get done! I had to call every single guy to help, and each and every one of them was so nice and helpful. They all had full days of work already, but with their help we got it all covered! They are truly some of the nicest guys to work with.

But maybe the most memorable experience is when I recently had a heart attack at work. I was in the bathroom, pants down and everything, but I was able to get them up and get that door opened! In all seriousness, I owe my life to Jessica. She called 911, and one of our techs was here and held my hand until help came. Everything went super-fast once the help came. I had a stent put in in 49 minutes, and I actually asked if I could go back to work. Needless to say, they told me no.

I had to stay a few days, but during that time I got a lot of texts from everyone at Sams making sure I was ok and that they were thinking of me. That’s what I mean when I say we are all family; we are all here for each other.

Q: When you’re not busy at work, what do you do for fun?

A: Well lately it’s been doctor’s orders to exercise and rest, but mostly I enjoy being with my loved ones and traveling. Life is short. Take the trip, buy that thing you’ve always wanted, and live life fully while you can.

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Kim! As you can see, she’s a wonderful addition to our team, and we’re very thankful she was able to take the time out of her busy schedule so we could get to know her better.

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Employee Spotlight: Chris Scoles

Chris Scoles is our Operations Manager/Account Executive here at Sams Carpet Cleaning and Repairs, and to say that he is a busy guy is an understatement. Just tracking him down for this conversation meant he had to sit still for a couple minutes! We’re excited to introduce you to Chris, an integral cog in the Sams machine. Now, without any further ado, join us for our get-to-know-you conversation with Chris!

Q: How long have you been at Sams and how did you get your start at Sams?

A: I used to drive by the Sams building everyday on my way to work and had a friend who worked there as a technician. I told him if they were ever hiring to let me know because I was looking for a change. In July of 2001 he gave me a call that they were hiring and the rest is history!

Q: 16 years later, what exactly do you do at Sams?

A: I started as a field technician, I spent several months training and cleaning customer’s carpets, flooring and air ducts. Over time, I moved up, started learning other parts of the job and became a team leader. Fast forward a couple more years and I am now the Operations Manager!

Q: What exactly does an Operations Manager position entail?

A: I’m in charge of the team, I get them ready to go each day and prep them on the jobs assigned. I take care of the everyday tasks, training new employees, maintenance on the machines and vehicles. I’m also the Account Executive for several of our larger apartments and I’m constantly out in the field giving estimates. I’m constantly moving around and if you’re looking for me, it changes from day to day where you’ll find me!

Q: Why did you choose Sams?

A: Sams treats their employees very well. There is a mutual respect between the bosses and the employees and we have built a great core of technicians. If anyone has a question, you know you can turn to another employee who has been there for many years who would have the answer. Our customer service is awesome and we really care for our customers. I also love the freedom I have here, I get to travel around the city and I’m constantly busy, which I love.

Q: What’s the Sams difference?

A: I would have to say our training program. We would never send a new employee out in the field until they are fully trained and ready, it might be 6-8months before they’re in a house cleaning. We train our technicians about the SCIENCE behind carpet cleaning and repair and we ensure every technician masters the skills before sending them out. We also use high quality machines and equipment that are only available at Sams.

Q: Do you have any memorable experiences at Sams, maybe celebrity run ins or encounters?

A: I have cleaned several Rams players houses including Adam Timmerman, Orlando Pace and of course like Dennis mentioned, we cleaned Nelly’s house in Lake St. Louis on several occasions. We also regularly clean Nelly’s producer’s house, which it’s nice to see big talent in St. Louis!

Q: When you’re not at work, where can we find you?

A: That’s easy, on the golf course. I’m an avid golfer and if I can find the time, you will certainly find me at one of the golf courses in town.

Q: What is your proudest accomplishment over your many years at Sams?

A: That’s hard for me to say, I don’t want to sound like I’m tooting my own horn. Mainly I think it’s overseeing the training of our technicians and ensuring that they are on top of their game. I know our technicians have the skills and training that far exceeds others. Our technicians are talented, supportive and have years of experience that is beyond valuable. I’m proud of these guys and know they’re out in the field doing the best work possible.

So there you have it, now you know our beloved Operations Manager, Chris! A big thank you to Chris for taking a few minutes out of his always hectic day for this conversation! Be sure to check back next month for our NEXT Employee Spotlight!

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Employee Spotlight: Phil and Nik Carrino

You don’t often hear about siblings working together, and we have a feeling if you know of any, it might not be the friendliest of relationships or very long lasting. That’s not the case with our favorite brothers at Sams Carpet Cleaning and Repairs, Phil and Nik Carrino. These brothers have worked together for over 11 years at Sams and they still like each other!

To celebrate family, we decided for this month’s employee spotlight to highlight Phil and Nik and learn what it’s like for siblings to work together for so many years.

 

Q: How did you guys end up at Sams, how long have you been here and what are your job title/roles?

Nik: I’ve been here for 14 years, I saw a Sams Van in my apartment buildings parking lot all the time and knew that they did good work. I reached out to them to see if they were hiring and lucky for me, they were! I am the Water Restoration Manager and I often work with the Insurance Companies to help families quickly get their homes back into shape. If you ever have water damage or flooding, I’m your guy!

Phil: I’ve worked here for 11 years. I saw how happy my brother was working here so when I found out they were hiring, I jumped on it. I started out as a Technician, but I am now the Training Manager and Technician Specialist.

Q: Why Sams? What is about Sams that makes us different and special?

Nik: It really does feel like a family, and I’m not just saying that because I work with my brother every day. We look out for each other, we have the support of the other employees and we care for our customers as though they were family. For customers, I believe they really feel that difference and know they can trust us. Customer satisfaction is huge, we go above and beyond to make sure each customer is happy and taken care of to the best of our capabilities.

Phil: It’s not a big, faceless organization. Jeff and Susan get to know all of the employees on a personal level, which I think is pretty unusual. They even attended my wedding last year, and it was wonderful to have them there to celebrate with us!

Q: What do you enjoy most about working at Sams?

Phil: Definitely the people. It’s a fun work environment, relaxed and culture is huge. I also love the Sams commitment to the community and organizations that are important to employees.

Nik: I agree 100%, Jeff and Susan sponsor me at Bike MS each year and I’m extremely grateful for their support. We have fun coming to work every day and it feels laid back and comfortable, we can be ourselves and know that we have the support of everyone we work with. We enjoy coming to work, which is something we know not everyone outside of Sams can say about their jobs.

Q: Any favorite or memorable client stories?

Nik: There’s too many over the years. I love getting to know our customers, some of them have been using Sams for years and have known my brother and I since we started. We’ve even had several ladies make us cakes and snacks when we come out to their house because they’re happy to see us and that we came out to help.

Phil: It’s always my favorite when I see a homeowner’s reaction when they see their freshly cleaned carpet that they thought was beyond repair. Knowing that we helped them and possibly saved them the headache and giant bill of getting new carpet is amazing.

Q: So, the ultimate question. What’s it like working together as brothers?

Nik: Well, it’s certainly had its ups and downs. We used to live together AND work together, and we got tired of each other pretty quick. Once we moved out and lived separately, it was awesome! We get to hang out and catch up every day in small doses, which is the perfect amount.

Phil: I have to look at his face everyday… that can be good or bad, depending on how you look at it. But really, it’s pretty cool to work with your brother and know you have his support.

 

So there you have it, a closer look at our favorite brothers. Thank you to Phil and Nik for taking the time to talk to us and give us an inside look their lives at Sams Carpet Cleaning and Repairs. Stay tuned for our next employee spotlight!

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Employee Spotlight: Leslie Wright

If you’ve ever worked with Sams, you probably know Leslie. Leslie is our office manager/house mom/comedian who keeps us on our toes and a smile on our face. Leslie Wright has been with Sams for 22 years, and is probably the greatest thing that has ever come from a newspaper ad. In 1994, she applied for a secretary/office position ad that she saw in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, and we believe she’s our angel. That might be dramatic, but if you know her, you know that’s true.

For this month’s employee spotlight, we thought it was time to shine a little light on this star employee. Over the years, Leslie has taken countless phone calls from angry parents, trying to clean up the mess of a surprise party thrown by a rebelling teenager, hysterical families who have experienced flood damage and happy return customers who ask for Leslie by name.

Q: Why Sams? What is it about Sams that makes us different and special?

A: We honestly CARE about our customers and put them first. They are more to us than customers. We put ourselves in their shoes and treat them like family, the way WE would want to be treated. We build long term personal and business relationships with our clients. There have been people who leave and try another company, but they consistently come back after that experience because they miss the customer service.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working at Sams?

A: We have fun every day. We are family, we support each other and we have a good time. We joke and clown around, but we also have each other’s backs. When I started at Sams, I was a single mom. Jeff and Susan were always understanding and flexible, allowing me to stay at home with a sick kid or work with my schedule so I could attend their events. Family is a core factor here. Sure, we sometimes fight like family, but we are a team and we will support one another.

Q: What is your favorite part of the job?

A: I LOVE TALKING! I love meeting clients, hearing their stories and building relationships with them. When I get to solve their problem and help them out, that brings me joy. And we have some AWESOME clients, so I can’t help but love what I do.

Q: What are some of your favorite memories from over the years at Sams?

A: Celebrating my 20 years with Sams was a really amazing experience. The team went above and beyond to make me feel special and I felt the love. We recently had a 30 year celebration for Dennis, and I love looking around the room and seeing the longevity of the employees. You don’t see that at every business, but at Sams, our employees stick around because we are family and we work for a great company.

Q: What is your favorite client story? Any funny or memorable ones?

A: I don’t even know where to begin… there have been too many! Of course there are countless times kids are frantically calling us to clean the carpets before their parents get home and find out they had a party. We honestly get those calls weekly! I just love hearing from repeat customers who ask for me by name because they had a great experience and they know they can trust us. That is truly one of the best feelings.

 

A big thank you to Leslie for her years of dedication and amazing customer service! We couldn’t be happier that she answered our newspaper ad 22 years ago and chose Sams Carpet Cleaning & Repair.

Stay tuned for the next employee spotlight highlighting our wonderful and talented employees!

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