September is a significant month for Karen Denton, CEO of KSC Commercial Cleaning Service, headquartered on South Avenue in Wilkinsburg. The 1st commemorates when she started her business, the 7th celebrates her birthday, and September 2002 marks when she had her first of four aneurysms.
“21 years surviving, 13 years in business, and I just turned 63,” said Denton. “The name of my business is KSC, which stands for Karen’s Second Chance. I thought the name of the company was for me, but it was for people like me who need a second chance. Every time I wanted to quit, God gave me more contracts or more people. Whichever one I needed, he provided, so I kept going. Now I know that I’m in my purpose. I think that’s why he saved me, for all the business owners and families that my company helps.”
Today, KSC has approximately 18 employees and contractors that provide general cleaning services to small and large office buildings, apartment complexes, public and retail establishments, and more. A few years after starting her own company, she turned to the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation (WCDC) to help shape her entrepreneurship skills.
“They had the Core Four Business Workshop Series. I took that class, and then I just followed every class after that. Then, the WCDC directed me to the University of Pittsburgh, and then I just kept following the cycle. I love training, so I take any class. If I can learn something, I’ll take the course!”
One of the biggest takeaways from her training was how to build trust, both as a service provider and business owner who relies on employees.
“They always say, ‘Work on your business, not in your business.’ What does that mean? It took me 10 years to realize all that means is that you have to trust somebody that they can do what you do as good as you. It’s that simple. All these years, every organization would tell you this. How do you do that? Years later, it’s nothing but trust.”
Today, Denton pays it forward when it comes to her years of education and experience by mentoring young business owners or future cleaning service entrepreneurs like herself.
“I just had a girl call me a few minutes ago. She wants to start a cleaning company. I have a mentor program, so I sent her to my website. It gets people started from the very beginning, and then, when they’re ready to do business, I come in and help.”
While she’s helping people on their journeys toward entrepreneurship, Denton took her own business to the next level when she purchased KSC’s headquarters in June 2023, located in the heart of Wilkinsburg’s business district.
“After seven years of renting in this space, I was blessed to be able to purchase the building. When I learned the owners were selling it, I went across the street to the WCDC to see if they wanted to buy the building, and Director of Business Development Gordon Manker said, “Why don’t you buy the building? There are organizations that will help you.”
The WCDC connected Denton with organizations like the Neighborhood Community Development Fund, who agreed to help her with the purchase.
Since the ribbon cutting, Denton’s phone and emails have been buzzing non-stop, and she would love to welcome new tenants soon. Not only would they have a space for their company, but they’d also have one of the best neighbors/landlords you can have when advancing your business!
Visit kcscommercialcleaning.com to see all of the services provided by her growing cleaning business. If you’re interested in learning more about Karen Denton’s newly purchased office and retail space at 615 South Ave, you can reach her directly at karen@ksccommercialcleaning.com or 412-377-9732.
To learn more about the resources that WCDC provides to local business owners and entrepreneurs like Karen, visit wilkinsburgcdc.org.
