Have you ever had an experience that had such an impact on you that it changed the course of your life? Most of us probably have, if we think about it. But what if that experience was as simple as getting your carpet cleaned? That's what happened to us.

My mom and dad, Jim and Dixie Wallace, were comfortably retired, living in a rural community north of Dallas. Dad was busy playing golf every chance he got and taking care of their paid-for home on a half-acre lot. Mom was a happy homemaker and a doting grandmother. Then they had a life altering experience: my oldest sister, Paula, who lives in California, had a rental property in the nearby town. The renters skipped out owing 3 months rent, leaving the house unspeakably trashed, and the less than 2-year-old Berber carpet was apparently ruined. There were hundreds of pieces of chewed gum stuck in it, every type of food and drink spilled on it, makeup, fingernail polish, even evidence of soiled diapers having leaked on it, and no evidence of it having ever been vacuumed! And talk about stink! They thought it was a lost cause.

Then two different people, Paula being one of them, referred us to Zerorez. None of us had ever heard of Zerorez, but we were assured that if the carpet could be saved, Zerorez could save it. Mom set up an appointment and right on time, a clean-cut, clean-shaven, professional-looking and -acting technician showed up. He asked to see the worst area, and went to work. Within about 20 minutes, the carpet in that room looked like brand new: the gum, make-up, and fingernail polish had all vanished! Within a couple of hours, the rest of the carpet also sparkled like new! Before the technician could leave, Dad had asked him every question he could think of about the company, the process, and the technology. He also found out that there was not yet a franchise in Albuquerque and by the end of the day he was on Zerorez's website inquiring about purchasing the franchise.

Soon, he got me and my husband Eddie involved and before long Eddie was working for the Zerorez franchise in Dallas, where he underwent several months of extensive training in the cleaning side of the business. He not only learned the best and most effective way to clean carpet, but also tile & grout, area rugs, upholstery, and air ducts.

Not long after that, both families packed up and moved west. The rest, as they say, is history: on June 1, 2006, Zerorez of Albuquerque opened its doors and started cleaning house (and office).