NFIB

Stoll Rug and Furniture Cleaners has been in the business of cleaning rugs and upholstery in Northwest Ohio since 1937. It has been owned and operated by the Gorrell family since 1979 and it has been an NFIB member since 1980. With 15 employees, a new, 12,000-square-foot facility and five trucks to provide cleaning services on location, the company has grown significantly since it was originally founded by the Stoll family nearly 70 years ago.

Today, Don Gorrell serves as president and CEO and works alongside his two sons - Mike, who is the vice president of operations and Doug, the vice president and general manager. They built their newest facility on Lewis Avenue in Toledo just a few miles from the original Stoll location. The facility has state-of-the-art equipment, including automated rug cleaners. Advances like these have allowed the company to add new services including grout cleaning, stuffed animal and synthetic surface cleaning.

Gorrell is an active member of the NFIB/Ohio Leadership Council where he says he appreciates having an opportunity to impact the policy decisions that affect his business on a day-to-day basis.

"I like having the ability to have direct input into the rules, regulations and laws that we are forced to live by and that control our business," said Gorrell.

He first became involved with NFIB when he was invited to attend a meeting where he had the opportunity to share his input and ideas with legislators and elected officials. Since then, he has worked with NFIB on workers' compensation issues as well as general employment issues.

The rug and furniture cleaning industry is heavily impacted by environmental regulations which means Gorrell has to be up-to-date on all new policy decisions and he has to be vigilant about his business practices. He says these regulations and the paper work that comes with them are the biggest challenges facing his business right now.

As a result, he says one of the most important things he and other NFIB members can do to further the cause of small business is to "spread the word that we must participate in the process."

To that end, he is a regular participant in NFIB/Ohio activities and most recently traveled to Columbus to meet with legislators during the 11th Small-Business Day at the Capitol.

To learn more about Stoll Rug and Furniture Cleaners, visit www.stollrug.com.