In early 2002, Sirena Moore—an enthusiastic and hard-working 21 year-old—teamed up with her father, Teddy Moore, to form Elohim Cleaning Contractors, Inc. Their business offers a wide range of services, including pre- and post-construction cleanup, janitorial services, general building maintenance, and residential basement and garage cleaning.

Both Sirena and her father have been members of the Community Capital Works peer group, Progressive Business Explorers, since August 2002. Sirena credits the program for Elohim's success.

While Sirena uses her administrative skills to keep business operations on track, her father and brother are in the field performing the services. Sirena thoroughly enjoys the fast pace of juggling phone calls, e-mails and paperwork, as well as the flexibility she is afforded as a single mother raising twin daughters.

Although the Moores' business is flourishing, Sirena admits that it has been a difficult journey. "The beginning was the hardest part, and Philadelphia Development Partnership offered us so many resources to really get off the ground," she says.

The ability to network and learn from other small business owners, as well as access to their Community Capital Works Enterprise Agent and Philadelphia Development Partnership-sponsored networking events, have enabled Sirena and Teddy to grow their business.