Glen CarbisThis month we interviewed one of our long-term SCRIA members, Glen Carbis, from Jumbuck Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning.

Tell me a little about yourself and your business.

Denise & I established Jumbuck Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning in 1986 wanting to provide a high quality service. The business has changed over years and so has the name to incorporate the other services we provide.

At Jumbuck Cleaning & Restoration we provide a number of services from hard floors, carpets, upholstery, and air duct cleaning to water & fire restoration.

How did you get involved in this industry?

I was in my early 30’s, had been involved in the meat industry, ran restaurants and also worked as a salesman/serviceman in the cleaning industry. My employer had been setting up a carpet cleaning business, however the company went into receivership before it got up and going.

One of my old neighbours had their carpets cleaned by one of the franchise groups (no longer in business) and the job was shocking for the money they paid. As I had already done the homework for my previous employer, I knew I could do better and decided to start my own business.

What prompted you to join SCRIA? How long have you been a member?  Describe your activities with SCRIA.

I joined the Victorian C.U.C.A in the late 80’s. There were 2 reasons I joined the Association. The first is I wanted to learn- the so called training I received from my supplier was non-existent and CUCA Victoria had a membership of about 40 carpet cleaners who didn’t mind sharing their wealth of knowledge. This is the main reason I have stayed active within the association. I feel that I should give back to the industry everything I have taken from it, especially everything that I learned from those guys all those years ago.

The second reason is that I was a one man band. I had no credibility and no training but being a part of the Association allowed me to use the logo, which gives your customers more confidence to use your services.

Over the years, I have sat on committees, been State President, National Vice President and tried to keep involved.

What is the best part about belonging to SCRIA?

I think the best part of the association is the probably the networking. I have made friends with some of the finest and best technicians in the country and around the world. I have referred many jobs to other members and had the same come back. We have several other members that will work together on jobs and utilise one another’s equipment and expertise.

But this doesn’t come from not being involved. If you don’t attend meetings and get involved you won’t get anything out of it. Personally I wouldn’t hand out someone’s number unless I knew them.

Why is it important to be part of a trade association?

Without the association, our trade doesn’t grow. We wouldn’t have Australian Standards for our industry; we wouldn’t have a nationally recognised training program, we wouldn’t have WoolSafe, we wouldn’t have the IICRC, we wouldn’t have the high standards of the self-regulated industry we have today.

I believe that if you are in this industry and taking from it you need to put back a little to develop it as those have done before us. While doing that you’ll make lifelong friends with some of the finest people on earth.