In the late 1980s, Cheryl Ecton was looking for additional income to support her salary as a receptionist. She started to clean the office building where she worked after hours. Ecton slowly started gaining new clients and began hiring additional employees to offer a wider array of cleaning services as the years passed.
The company, Elite Building Services, has now grown into one of the largest women-owned businesses in the mid-Atlantic region. Elite Building Services is a commercial janitorial and maintenance firm that supports all aspects of commercial property maintenance in order to help its customers offer clean, healthy, and safe work environments for their employees and tenants.
Under Ecton’s leadership, Elite Building Services has led to the adoption of cutting-edge cleaning techniques, setting new standards of efficiency and effectiveness. Known as a trailblazer in the industry, Ecton was awarded the Smart CEO: Future50 Award and the firm has been honored with the DuPont Facilities Services and Real Estate Contractor Safety Excellence Award.
According to her staff, Ecton is not only a beacon of leadership and dedication but also a shining example of how one individual can profoundly impact both their professional realm and the wider community. “Her journey as a visionary entrepreneur is characterized by boldness and ingenuity, as she has adeptly translated her innovative ideas into tangible successes,” they said. “From the inception of her enterprise, Cheryl’s entrepreneurial prowess has been evident, guiding her endeavors toward prosperity and distinction.”
Ecton is also active as a mentor, particularly for women facing adversity. She frequently shares her journey at women’s conferences, using her story to uplift and encourage those who may feel marginalized or disheartened. Ecton also serves as the chairperson for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night walk.
“While she values the recognition bestowed upon her, Cheryl’s greatest source of pride stems from the positive influence she exerts, whether through her leadership in business, her advocacy for safety and excellence, or her dedication to philanthropy and community service,” said her staff.
As a leader, Ecton said the most important attributes are decisiveness, the ability to empower others, accountability and strategic thinking. She touts her secret superpower as resilience. “I stay calm under pressure and keep my focus on the goals ahead,” said Ecton. “Every day brings new challenges, whether it’s business decisions, insanely busy schedules, or planning for the future, but no matter what each day brings, I make sure to be there for my family and those close to me, finding time outside of work to be present for them.”
