SWIMS & SWEEPS - Key Persons

Bridgette Kells

Job Titles:

Store Manager / Social Media

Locally-owned Swims & Sweeps was established in 1989 by Clayton Sherwood in Manhattan, Kansas. With $500 in hand, a hope and a dream, Clay took out an ad in the local paper for chimney cleaning services. He loaded his Shop-Vac into the backseat of his 1969 Mercury 4-door, tied his ladder across the roof and went to work. In Jan. 1990, he relocated to Topeka, where he worked part time at Devlin's Liquor store at night while he continued to grow Swims & Sweeps during the day. Clay distinctly remembers walking through Topeka neighborhoods handing out business cards and hanging door hangers, all while wearing his top hat, to promote the business. He was able to purchase his first business van with the help of Russ Briggs in June that year, and in August when the first Swims & Sweeps Yellow Page ad was published, the phone began to ring.