It started with $1,000, a tiny office space, a few ads in the Pennysaver and half a dozen housekeepers, but Maureen Gray, president and founder of what would become KBM Facility Solutions, wasn't about to let odds get in her way.

Gray, just 20 years old at the company’s founding in 1981, now has a multimillion-dollar, multi-faceted company with about 500 employees and 450 vendor partners.

Along with janitorial, the firm has a tenant improvement division, a maintenance division and an array of other functions, and Gray continues to grow her company with additions and acquisitions.

The company, originally known as KBM Building Services, posted $28.8 million in sales last year and is projecting more than $30 million in sales in 2010.

"Despite the weak economy and an overall increase in competition, KBM has seen tremendous growth during the past two years, primarily as a result of the focus of our dedicated management team," Gray said. "While our pricing remains highly competitive, we have expanded our list of value-added services to ensure that our clients are receiving the best possible value for their dollar."

More at source:San Diego Source