Modestine Coates is always eager to get her hands dirty—as long as it results in leaving your home or office squeaky clean. Drawing upon years of experience cleaning residential and commercial spaces with her cousins, and with the encouragement of her family, Modestine began to develop plans for her cleaning business five years ago.

Within two years, Dirty Hands Cleaning Service was a registered business specializing in residential cleaning services and attracting a customer base primarily in Montgomery County. She does most of the work herself, occasionally enlisting the help of her mother and daughter.

Since February 2003, Modestine has been a member of a Community Capital Works peer group, Business Explorers, and attributes much of her business success to the training and support she receives from the other members in her group during their bi-weekly meetings.

She also meets regularly with a business consultant, who has been guiding her through the development of a marketing plan and formal price schedule. Modestine says these sessions have proven invaluable. Since becoming involved with Philadelphia Development Partnership, Dirty Hands has added several steady clients.