Debbie Wilson, CEO of Fresh Family LLC, is an expert at putting herself and her business in the right places for success. The firm now boasts 17 employees, 13 full time and each making six figure incomes. Whether it be encampment cleanup, construction services, demolition or ground maintenance and horticulture, Fresh Family has established itself as the “go to” for a variety of services at the local and state level. Debbie currently services clients like the Cities of Seattle and Renton, WSDOT, University of Washington and others as valued clients who call on a regular basis.
Debbie credits Tabor 100 as one of the right places “to be” if you are operating a business. “Tabor 100 has been an important partner as I grow my business,” Debbie said recently. “The meetings where you get to talk with decision makers, one-on-one coaching, the regular emails and putting you in the right room with the right people, are services that make Tabor 100 worth it.” “We are thrilled to have Debbie and Fresh Family in the Tabor family,” noted Tabor President and CEO, Ollie Garrett. “The company has been involved in our support services programs and Debbie is present at Tabor outreach events and our regular monthly membership meetings. I am pleased that she’s found value in those programs.”
Fresh Family LLC has defied the odds, being operated by a Black woman and experiencing success in the construction/demolition/clean up arena, the firm has taken advantage of many opportunities and expanded accordingly. It now possesses a $500,000 bond and is certified as a “Renovator” which allows it to work on properties built before 1978 when lead paint, asbestos and other harmful materials were used routinely in the building industry.
“Everything I have went into this business, so I have to make it successful,” Debbie explained, “Our goal is to not only do well ourselves, but we want to bring in other Black contractors to work with us – plumbers, electricians, and others so that we can build a capable and experienced team to go after big projects and expand. We want those other firms to grow with us.
Debbie has brought in her son, Ron Jones, as her Chief Financial Officer, and he, like her, shares the vision of making Fresh Family a larger firm that can provide even more access to government contracting opportunities and to be a prime contractor on projects. “We have had some pretty good opportunities and want to give back as much as we can,” stated Ron. “We need to stay focused on and not be intimated by the challenges that come along the way. We especially appreciate the City of Seattle and University of Washington for being the first to open the door and support us as we work to prove our value in a competitive environment.”
Fresh Family’s growth is an inspiration to anyone looking to start and grow a business. Debbie again notes that it is important to be in the right places including attending pre-bid meetings, asking for and receiving help like that offered through Tabor 100’s Technical Assistance programs and ensuring you offer a solid product.
Fresh Family is certified as a DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise), is licensed by the state Utilities and Transportation Commission and is a contractor certified to work on US Department of Transportation jobs. The firm offers a variety of services including homeless encampment cleanup, construction services (janitorial & final cleaning), property development, debris and garbage removal, demolition, and construction cleanup, along with crafting and implementing customized public and private janitorial and clean-up plans.
While Fresh Family is not in the writing business, Debbie lives by the motto: “You are the author of your own book.” Her determination, ingenuity and entrepreneurial drive has allowed her to write many chapters of that book and serve as an inspiration to Tabor members and any Black or Brown business looking to get started and grow.
