From security guard to entrepreneur, Jeffery Thrasher’s story is one of grit, vision, and second chances. As a member of the Entrenuity Accelerator Cohort (EAC), Jeffery has found mentorship and a community that fuels his purpose and help guide his business journey; reminding him that challenges are part of every entrepreneur’s path.
With an associate’s degree in business management and over a decade of experience working in Chicago Public Schools, Jeffery knew early on that he was destined for more than a 9-to-5. “I didn’t want to work for anybody,” he says. “At CPS, I realized that the position I was in was capped. I wanted more."
After trying a a couple entrepreneurial ventures, including party promoting and opening up a clothing store, Jeffery founded FTU Cleaning, alongside his father, in 2017. The commercial cleaning company quickly grew from his first contracts to generating $30,000 in revenue within its first year. His original milestone was $10,000 a month, which he surpassed in just six months. Today, Jeffery is focused on scaling FTU Cleaning to $100,000 a month and developing new systems to support sustainable growth.
But for Jeffery, it’s never just been about making a profit. His deeper mission is about creating second-chance employment opportunities. With FTU Cleaning, he has created a pathway for individuals who have faced significant barriers to work — people with felonies, those who have experienced homelessness, and even family members who needed a new start. “It happens." Jeffery says. "People hit rock bottom. But I want to create a system that helps people back up. That’s my goal: to always keep helping, because that's the system that got me here.” Over the past seven years, he’s provided employment and stability to more than 20 people — proof that business can be both compassionate and profitable.
Of course, entrepreneurship hasn’t been without challenges. After one of his cleaning systems — a simple but effective “circle method” that ensures thorough room cleaning — was adopted without credit by a franchise he worked with, Jeffery was reminded of both the risks and the resilience required to succeed in business.
Being part of the EAC has provided guidance and reassurance along the way. “Hearing others speak on some of the problems they face in their businesses helps." He says. "Sometimes you think you’re doing something wrong, but Brian [Jenkins] tells me, ‘These are just trials and tribulations every entrepreneur faces.’ That mentorship keeps me grounded and shows me I'm exactly where I need to be.”
Jeffery’s work through FTU Cleaning embodies the spirit of Entrenuity—empowering entrepreneurs to build businesses that change lives. We're excited to see his business continue to grow and reach even greater heights.