Putting their money where their house is

After owning and operating two successful businesses in Freeport for more than 10 years, Steven and Jessenia Velazquez are relocating to new office space on Merrick Avenue in Baldwin.

Steven Velazquez, a former electrician, runs a screen-printing operation, while Jessenia, his wife, manages CleanSweep Inc., a janitorial service. The businesses now share space, operating from sunny new second-floor offices. The stairway is freshly painted apple-green, the carpeting is new and the couple, Baldwin residents for 10 years are excitedly anticipating the arrival of a blue and green CleanSweep sign for the building’s façade. Although still under construction, both businesses are now operational.

Sweeping progress

Jessenia, who’s known as Jessie, is the passionate and outspoken head of CleanSweep. As a teenager, she was encouraged by a family member to make a business out of her passion for cleaning. She started small, advertising in local papers, and built her reputation house by house until she was able to incorporate into CleanSweep in 2000.

She was recently selected to participate in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, through which she receives valuable business insight intended to help her expand and create new jobs in Baldwin. CleanSweep is also the proud holder of a Small Business Association 8(a) business certification, which allows Jessie to bid on federal contracts with entities like the government and the military. (She already has several such contracts.) CleanSweep currently employs seven people, but with new contracts on the horizon, Jessie plans to expand to 10 in the near future.

Screen time

Steven’s jovial demeanor is the creative force behind a screen-printing business. He owns the Knuckles USA brand, and offers a full line of screen-printed T-shirts and sweats promoting mixed martial arts. Active on a committee of the Baldwin Civic Association, Steven also produced the “Save Baldwin” T-shirts his family and other members of the BCA have been sporting at official functions.

Steven is working to grow the Knuckles USA brand. A friend of his will be taking part in local kickboxing events in the coming weeks, and Steven will be there with merchandise for sale. His printing services are in demand, and he has orders coming in from all kinds of businesses in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

A family affair

The Velazquezes have three children, Elijah, Jalee-Ann and Steven Jr. Asked why they decided to move their businesses from Freeport, both mentioned civic pride. “Baldwin used to be a great place to live, and now we’re behind Rockville Centre and Freeport in terms of business ownership,” Steven said. “By moving our businesses from Freeport to Baldwin, we’re bringing something nice to the area and filling an empty location. Bringing our business here, we’re hoping to make Baldwin vibrant again. When they said they needed business here, we came.”

The couple said they are passionate about everything they do for Baldwin. Jessie became the first Hispanic woman firefighter in Baldwin history when she volunteered at Hose Company #2. The couple organize food drives at the firehouse and are active members of both the Chamber of Commerce and the Civic Association. One of their pet projects is an effort to rename the square at the intersection of Verity Lane and Western Boulevard Bob Sheppard Square, in honor of the legendary Yankee Stadium public address announcer, a longtime Baldwin resident who died in 2010.

Already invested socially and residentially, the Velazquezes said that relocating their business interests to Baldwin was the final step in a total investment in the hamlet. Through their efforts they hope to set an example for others, and lead a charge that will result in a revitalized Baldwin.