Service businesses

The first of its kind grant program will help recipients across North America further invest in their small businesses and the communities they serve

Jobber, the leading provider of home service management software, today announced the recipients of its $150,000 grant program, Boost by Jobber. Thirty small businesses were selected from thousands of applications and received funds ranging between $1,500 to $20,000 USD.

“From experienced entrepreneurs to those starting a new career in home service, all our Boost by Jobber recipients are unique—but the incredible impact they’re making on their local communities is something they all share,” said Sam Pillar, CEO & co-founder at Jobber. “Our team was truly inspired by the entrepreneurial stories and demonstrations of resiliency that were shared with us. Home service businesses are made up of incredible people and hometown heroes that deserve to have a spotlight on their work, their stories heard, and our continued support. This is our goal for the Boost by Jobber program.”

The grant recipients range from pre-business entrepreneurs to experienced owners and represent a variety of home services industries, including tree care, lawn care and landscaping, plumbing, residential cleaning, HVAC, contracting, carpentry, pressure washing, and more. These funds will help support entrepreneurs in the home services category who keep our homes and offices running smoothly, help their friends and neighbors build meaningful careers, and give back to the communities where they live and work.

The application process involved written and video submissions, followed by interviews with Boost by Jobber’s judging panel. To select the recipients, Jobber individually scored applicants based on their community contributions, leadership style, business plans, and the overall impact the funding would make towards their goals.

The top grant of $20,000 was awarded to experienced entrepreneur Joseph Gillingham, founder of Heritage Tree Care. Gillingham started his company, a full service tree care business, 15 years ago and now employs 20 people during peak seasons. The company has helped create interactive outdoor learning spaces for local schools and daycares by donating labor and repurposed wood chips, logs for seating, and large outdoor wooden building blocks for children to play with, all while maintaining 5-star customer service. The company also supports a network of community gardens and assists with emergency response for urban animals requiring rescue from heights.

“Receiving this Boost by Jobber grant makes it all worthwhile in a way,” said Joseph Gillingham. “As an entrepreneur, sometimes I wonder if I am doing the right thing as there is often a residual feeling of imposter syndrome despite the thousands of happy customers over lots of years. Getting recognized in this way takes away the doubt. Thanks to Jobber, we can bring some of our dream entrepreneurial ideas to life. With this funding, we will not only grow the business and hire more expert team members, but also we plan to help subsidize tree planting for low-income daycares and community centers, thereby creating a green legacy of shady spaces throughout my city and beyond.”

New entrepreneurs Courtney and Burgess Heberer, owners of Santa Claus Exterior Cleaning, received a $10,000 grant. Courtney has been a middle school music teacher and Burgess previously worked as a scientist developing infant formula and childrens’ nutritional products. Santa Claus Exterior Cleaning donates 10% of profits to children in need around the holidays, and also cleans and sanitizes four local public school playgrounds at no charge.

“The Boost by Jobber grant was really needed,” said Burgess Heberer. “We are at this point where we are ready to take things to the next level and move our business out of our garage and into its own dedicated space. This grant is going to help us do that. It’s a big step forward⁠— and to know your hard work is acknowledged by a partner like Jobber is awesome.”

Courtney added, “We took a big risk starting this business, so this is very reassuring. We can’t say enough good things about the team at Jobber.”

Below is the full list of 30 recipients for this year’s Boost by Jobber grant program from across North America:

Experienced Business Owners (3+ years):

• Joseph Gillingham, Heritage Tree Care Inc. (Toronto, ON)
• Monique Olson and Erik Olson, Safe N Soft Carpet Cleaning (Boise, ID)
• Amber Starling, Good Witch Cleaning Services LLC (Manhattan, KS)
• Branden Sewell, Seal Pro Painting Inc. (Orlando, FL)
• Bryon Rocz, Father & Son Restoration (Taylor, MI)
• Kirk Brown, Kirk’s Lawn Care LLC (Limerick, PA)
• Lauren Penner and Julie Penner, Unaffiliated Hot Tub Home Care (Saskatoon, SK)
• Chris Senger, Errol Palmer and Dane Findlay, Mow Town Edmonton Ltd. (Edmonton, AB)
• Jessica Bilmer and Jonathan Alvernaz, Kitchen Makeovers (Aldergrove, BC)
• Dave Clauson, Cove Power (North Vancouver, BC)

New Business Owners (0-3 years):

• Courtney Heberer and Burgess Heberer, Santa Claus Exterior Cleaning LLC (Santa Claus, IN)
• Raquel Hughes and Aaron Kirkaldy, Sparkle & Sheen Organize and Cleaning Services Ltd. (Edmonton, AB)
• Donny Mills, Liberty Village Plumbing (Toronto, ON)
• Eric Kleynenberg, Alpha Repair and Renovation LLC (Caledonia, MI)
• Meaghan McVicker, Green Clean Machine (Nipomo, CA)
• Nolan Rinta and Taylor Rinta, T-Rex Rinks (Stillwater, MN)
• Amy Morgan and Cody Morgan, Pit Stop Pool Service (Cypress, TX)
• Bernard Jackson, BLE Management LLC (Fayetteville, NC)
• Alberto Herrera, Exin Car Detail (Tempe, AZ)
• Riley Flatt and Brittany Flatt, Semper Fi Heating & Cooling (Malta, MT)

Almost Entrepreneurs (pre-business):

• Kevin Long, Fall Creek Power Wash, LLC (Pendleton, IN)
• Findley Wilson, Fin’s Custom Builds (Ohsweken, ON)
• Crystal Bissell, Eco Food Gardens (Austin, TX)
• Jacob Micflikier and Alysha Murdoch, Seed Cleaning & Services LLC (Destin, FL)
• Ben Clark, CSRA Bin Cleaning (North Augusta, SC)

COVID-19 Support:

• Lisa Sullivan and John Sullivan, Heather Ridge Contractors Inc. (North Riverside, IL)
• Ana Lupu and Horea Lupu, FloorMaxx Inc. (Chicago, IL)
• Paddy Treacy, Northern Lines (Toronto, ON)
• Fatukanu Kabia, Diamond Janitorial Services (Anchorage, AK)
• Adrienne Tutty, Calavo Landscape Inc. (El Cajon, CA)

To learn more about the Boost by Jobber recipients and their stories, and to watch for updates around next year’s program, visit https://www.boostbyjobber.com/