Two Naperville businesses finalist for state award
Two local businesses, Russell Martin Carpet and Rugs and Advantage Bookkeeping Professionals Inc., have been named finalists for the Loyola Illinois Family Business of the Year.
The award is given by the Loyola University Family Business Center to companies with strong commitments to both business and family, a cornerstone value of both Naperville firms. In addition to recognizing their business successes the award is given to companies with a demonstrated positive family/business linkage, multi-generational family business involvement, contributions to industry and community, and innovative business practices and strategies.
The Russell Martin story is the quintessential tale of starting a family-operated business. As a college student, Dave Martin was working three jobs, one of which was at Russell's Cleaners, where he helped the owner with carpet cleaning. Shortly after marrying his wife Rae, they bought the carpet cleaning business for a year's gross earnings, $60,000, which they had two years to pay off. Clients would often defer to Dave's expertise when buying carpets, so they took the next natural step and began selling carpets too. Later, their son Sam, daughter Kate, and daughter-in-law Rebecca joined the business as well.
“It is such an honor to be recognized as a family business, we place such an emphasis on the importance of family relationships and treating our clients and community like they are a part of our family,” said Dave Martin, owner of Russell Martin.
Advantage Bookkeeping Professionals Inc. is an award-wining Naperville company. Their unique approach to bookkeeping services has sustained double-digit growth since starting in 1999, based on their customer service and innovative client-based solutions. It is truly a family business as the entire Fancher family works there – it was cofounded by Shirley Fancher and her daughter Barbara Fancher-Kerry. Shirley's husband Bert Fancher, and daughter Laura Fancher-Bower also work there; even Barbara's thirteen and eight year old daughters consider themselves honorary assistants at the company.
“We are humbled and thrilled to have been selected as a finalist for this prestigious award,” said Shirley Fancher, president of Advantage Bookkeeping Professionals, Inc.
Both companies have shown a strong commitment to local associations and charities including the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, DuPage PADS and Rotary International among others.
Their dedication to family and community led both companies to be named finalists of the Loyola Family Business of the Year Awards.
For more information about Russell Martin Carpet and Rugs call (630) 961-1312, see their website at www.RMCarpets.com or visit their showroom at 633 N. Washington St. in Naperville. For more information about Advantage Bookkeeping Professionals, Inc. call (630) 416-0300 or visit their website at www.AdvantageBP.com.