When Nina Emory lost her job more than 10 years ago, she vowed never to work for someone else again. So, drawing on a background in business management, she found a bucket, bought a few cleaning supplies, and set to work building her own business. Now, she employs a full crew of bonded and insured cleaners who have served more than 500 clients under the name of A Diamond in the Rough Cleaning Service.

Just as polishing can reveal a diamond's sparkle, the technicians' customized cleanings aim to reveal a space's distinct personality. For residential and commercial cleanings, they carefully employ nontoxic cleaners, as well as cloths, mops, and dusters that are sanitized before storage to avoid cross-contamination. Clients can also solicit a tech for a gutter or window cleaning.