Many people can say they own their own business, but not everyone can say they grew the company from just three people to over 40 employees in an extremely short amount of time.
“Leading a company through such explosive growth is not easy,” says Jeremy Brokate, co-owner of Brokate Janitorial LLC. “I absorbed various roles, made countless sacrifices and overcame obstacles that challenged me to the core.”
As executive vice president of the family business, Brokate brings the leadership style owners hope for.
“I tend to lead from behind, empowering people with the right resources and knowledge so they can successfully achieve their own goals,” he says. “When I first joined Brokate Janitorial, I had a vision for the company that I knew would bring us to a whole new level of success.
“I led the way in directing our company to a Springfield expansion. It proved to be a winning decision.”
Right from the start, Brokate created several ambitious goals and a growth track for the company that only could be achieved through teamwork.
“We have since met – if not exceeded – every goal to date,” he says.
The 32-year-old vice president doesn’t shy away from big goals, not only for his company but also for himself.
“One of my proudest accomplishments was also a huge milestone for Brokate,” he says. “In 2012, our company won the city of Springfield’s largest cleaning contract on record, which includes over 25 buildings and 250,000 square feet of space.”
In addition to completing ambitious goals and passing milestones, Brokate also is able to influence the success of his peers. Over the years, he’s helped develop personal budgets for employees who were struggling financially. Brokate Janitorial also offers financial planning services, enabling employees to make better decisions for themselves and their families.
The importance of helping others in need is something Brokate learned at a young age from his mother, and civic affairs always are in the forefront of his mind.
“We had a goal to donate $25,000 worth of cleaning services and cash contributions [in 2014] to local charities and nonprofits in need,” he says. “We met that goal and are currently on track to donate even more in 2015.”
One of Brokate’s favorite accomplishments to share is the story of an employee who came to Brokate Janitorial with very little janitorial or work experience in general.
“We discovered he didn’t know how to type, so we brought in a program to help teach him,” Brokate says. “He enthusiastically welcomed every tool and resource we provided.”
Now, the employee is an area manager overseeing several clients and other employees.
“I’ve given a lot of myself to Brokate, but it’s given me much more,” he says. “Brokate has provided me with the opportunity to grow, lead and inspire within our company and community every day.”[[In-content Ad]]
