Torch Talk March 2016 | Page 4

BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU ® bbb.org CLE A N I NG COM PA N Y M A KE S IT E A S Y TO B E G REEN TORCH TALK MARCH 2016 by Veronica Craker BBB Managing Editor & Writer -4- For Green Cleaning Seattle being environmentally friendly isn’t just a nice slogan slapped on the side of the car door. It’s both a lifestyle and a mission. A visit to the company’s Freemont location reveals a thriving garden space, adjacent solar panels provide the operations department power and there’s even a few chickens running around. “We’ve built a chicken coop, which is fun for the staff because they get to take free eggs home,” Gea Bassett, Green Cleaning Seattle owner, said. Bassett started the company in 2008 advertising environmentally friendly house cleaning on Craigslist. Since then she’s grown her business to include 40 employees and is operating out of a brick and mortar location in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood. Basset said her business relies a great deal on customer retention and while she does do some advertising, one of the best ways to promote herself is by keeping her customers satisfied. This is evident by her decision to be a BBB Accredited Business. Her company has had that distinction since 2012. While she welcomes customer feedback, she admits she has had trouble with some online reviews. Bassett recalls a time she received an angry online review that came from someone who was never a client. That’s one of the reasons Bassett made it a priority to ensure her company was accredited. She also keeps her clients happy by making sure her employees are professionals in all aspects of their job. The employees at Green Cleaning Seattle must undergo background checks before they are trained on customer service and professionalism. “We put ourselves out there and try to make people feel comfortable,” Bassett said. While ensuring her customers’ needs are met, Bassett also