Sandy Hammers got into the commercial cleaning business when a housing contractor asked if she would be interested in providing construction final clean services for a new residential development in Lincoln. From there, she hired more employees and branched into residential cleaning. In 1984, her brother and business partner Gary Wieker joined the company and they added commercial cleaning, which are the only services they provide today. Sparkling Clean serves businesses throughout Nebraska and Western Iowa. They have been in business for 30 years and still service their first account. The scope of their business includes commercial, medical, educational and industrial facilities, new construction final clean, hard surface floor and carpet care.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Federal compliance issues. Currently we are struggling with the federal mandate for Health Care Reform which is having a profound effect on the labor intense Service Industry.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Running a successful company for 30 years with continuous growth every year.
Tell us a little about your family. – I have been married to my husband Larry for 50 years. We have two sons – Ryan and his wife Trudie live in Lincoln, Rick and wife Kathy live in Truman AR. We have six grandchildren and four great grand-children. Larry and I are also guardians of a wonderful 17 year old girl.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Getting married.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I enjoy being outside any time of the year, so I would have to say work in the yard, landscape, dig in the dirt, plant flowers and work in our shop with my husband building things.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I own a shot gun and plan to go on a turkey hunt this spring. The turkeys probably don’t need to worry.
What are you the most proud of? – 50 years of marriage, my family and Sparkling Klean.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – No matter what life hands you – you are ultimately responsible for yourself.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Integrity.
If you could have a super power, what would it be? – Provide clean water worldwide.
Which talent would you most like to have? – To be a world class long distance runner.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – I suppose dictator is out of the question.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – Trinity by Leon Uris
What is your favorite TV show? – I rarely watch T.V. or go to movies.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Brother Sebastian’s
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Could I pick two? I would love to have dinner with Bill Clinton and Rush Limbaugh simultaneously.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Sparkling Klean Service, Inc. 2606 S. 156 Circle, Omaha NE 68028 402-399-9233, sandy@sparklingklean.com, sparklingklean.com