Cornelius Smith, an Air Force veteran based in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, turned his dedication to service into a thriving commercial cleaning business. After separating from the military in 2014, Smith founded Clearly Clean Janitorial Service, LLC, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business focused on reliability, professionalism, and spotless results. Like many veteran business owners, he found that building a business from scratch requires more than determination. He set out to surround himself with expert advisors who could support, mentor, and empower him throughout his journey.
Motivated and mission-driven, Smith knew he needed a strong business foundation to grow. He turned to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for support and took full advantage of its network of resources. Through the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) and the SBA THRIVE program (formerly SBA Emerging Leaders Initiative), he gained valuable insight into growth strategies, financial management, and business planning. As his business evolved, he continued to rely on SBA programs—adding SCORE mentorship and even disaster relief loans to his toolkit—to navigate both opportunities and challenges. These resources helped Smith scale operations, secure contracts, and build long-term resilience.
Tip: Every great business needs a strong team. Through SBA and its resource partners, such as SCORE mentorship, you can find experienced mentors, coaches, and peers to help you scale with confidence.
Recovery and Resilience with SBA
Like many small businesses, Clearly Clean Janitorial Service, LLC, faced an uncertain future during the COVID-19 pandemic—grappling with supply chain disruptions, declining revenue, and the urgent need to adapt to new safety protocols and customer expectations. With the support he needed, rather than shutting down, Clearly Clean adapted, expanded, and emerged more resilient—strengthening its commitment to the community it proudly serves.
He carried that discipline and clarity of purpose into civilian life. When he founded Authentically American®, he was motivated by a staggering statistic: only 3% of apparel purchased in the U.S. is made domestically. His goal was clear: build a premium apparel brand that is 100% made in the USA, no exceptions.
Tip: Through vital support from SBA’s Disaster Relief program, like Smith, you can access resources to help sustain your operations, adapt to changing needs, and retain your workforce
Final Thoughts
Smith proves that when veterans combine a service-driven mindset with the right support network, success is within reach. By surrounding himself with expert advisors and leveraging SBA programs—from VBOC and SCORE to THRIVE and disaster relief—he built a business that not only survived tough times but grew stronger because of them. His story is a powerful reminder that veterans don’t have to build their businesses alone—federal resources are available to help them launch, grow, and thrive.
Ready to take the next step? Visit sba.gov/ovbd and follow the SBA Office of Veterans Business Development on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.
This blog was written by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD). For updates, resources, and inspiration, follow SBA OVBD on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.