When Tabatha Vail talks about building T&J Cleaning Service, she doesn’t begin with spreadsheets or strategy. She begins with her son — and with a decision to take control of her future.
In 2019, Vail lost her oldest child to gun violence, a tragedy that upended every part of her life. Traditional work no longer fit the unpredictable rhythms of grief. So she turned back to something she had known since age 12: cleaning. She had grown up in her grandparents’ franchise cleaning business, spending summers learning how to scrub, sanitize, and transform spaces.
“Cleaning gave me flexibility, and it was something I genuinely loved — going into a space, transforming it, and seeing the before-and-after,” Vail said.
By March 2021, she turned that experience — and her resilience — into action, launching T&J Cleaning Service LLC in Marion, Arkansas.
A Business Built to Grow
Today, T&J Cleaning Service delivers a full suite of commercial and residential cleaning services across Crittenden County. Vail focuses on commercial janitorial work, post-construction cleanups, Airbnb turnovers, and detailed deep cleans — work that builds on her 20+ years in the industry.
And her business is expanding. She recently secured a contract with a local Airbnb, added recurring move-in/move-out cleanings for an eight-unit loft complex, and continues to build relationships with office managers and property owners. She’s also shifting her strategy to generate more online leads and automate outreach.
“My goal is to reclaim my time and let online traffic do some of the work,” she said.
Taking Action with CU’s Support
Vail found Communities Unlimited (CU) the way many of her clients find her — by searching for help online.
“CU was the only organization that looked reputable,” she said.
A 2023 CU loan helped her purchase equipment, inventory, and working capital. From there, she began working with CU’s Entrepreneurship Team, gaining accountability, resources, and a referral to the APEX Accelerator, where she began preparing federal bids — including one currently under review in White House, Tennessee.
Vail said what has stood out about working with CU over the years is its compassion. When credit challenges following COVID — and the loss of her son — made borrowing harder, she said CU stepped in and took a chance on her.
“Bigger banks tell you ‘no’ fast,” Vail said. “CU didn’t judge me — they asked what happened and offered grace. That meant more than I can say.”
A Second Loan
In October 2025, Vail returned to CU for a second loan, funded by the Sachs Family Foundation, to accelerate her next phase of growth. She’s putting it to work immediately:
For one, she is working to upgrade her digital presence. She will partner with Mainstreethost Digital Marketing Agency to strengthen her SEO, improve keywords, repair backlinks, and rebuild her website — likely transitioning from Wix to WordPress for a more professional online footprint.
Secondly, she is looking to earn a professional industry certification. Part of the loan will fund her training through the International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association (IJCSA).
“It gives us leverage,” she said of the certification. “When we submit bids, it shows we’re trained, serious, and professional.”
Her future goals are just as intentional. She plans to expand into Texas — especially near the University of North Texas — where development is booming and where her son may attend school.
Betting on Herself — and Winning
T&J Cleaning Service is now Vail’s full-time income, and she’s determined to use it as a foundation for long-term stability and growth. She’s strengthening her skills, building new systems, and leaning into her partnership with CU.
“CU has made such a difference for small business owners like me. A lot of people get scared of the word ‘loan,’ especially if their credit isn’t perfect — but CU looks at the whole person. If you want your business to grow, you have to take steps, and CU helps you do that.”
— Tabatha Vail, T&J Cleaning Service
Her next step is clear and bold.
“I want to confidently bid on bigger contracts and stop letting large companies intimidate me. I want to stand firm, trust my worth, and bet on T&J Cleaning every time.”
From sweeping floors in her grandparents’ business to running her own growing company, Tabatha Vail is turning experience into action — and building a future she can stand on.
