Joyce Eisenbraun
He calls himself ‘an old soul’ because of his passion and commitment to building relationships with his clients, and concern for quality. Labi (Labinot) Lika is the CEO/President of Father and Son Cleaning Services in Moorhead, providing a range of services to commercial clients in the area. “I learned about customer service from my family,” he said, “It’s what we’re good at.”
Carpet cleaning, janitorial services, lawn mowing and snow removal are the four primary services provided, according to Lika. “We can handle standard custodial cleaning including carpet, tile and grout, but we also do restoration after water damage, post-construction or mold cleanup,” he detailed. In the winter, he provides snow removal, plowing and snow hauling services. A benefit to clients who need summer help, F&S offers lawn care, from mowing to chemical applications to spring and fall cleanup. “If customers have a need,” Lika said, “I want them to call us first.”
Lika and his team are all trained through the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), ensuring that each staff member can provide the services promised. “Integrity is a big deal to me,” Lika said, “so I go to each site weekly to ensure that we’re delivering on our promises. If there is a problem, I’m going to be there immediately to try to fix it and ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
“We selected Moorhead as our company home because it promotes a great and loyal customer base,” he said. “People here want to know who you are, and that you’ll provide consistent service.” Helping F&S perform their best is underscored by Lika’s commitment to top-of-the-line equipment that is regularly upgraded.
The Kosovo-born Lika came to the U.S. when he was seven years of age. He and his family had fled the Kosovo-Serbia war to a refugee camp before sponsors helped them immigrate to the U.S., and they initially landed in Georgia. When his dad found out his sister was in North Dakota, they came north to settle. His parents found jobs, and he and his brother started school. Lika learned English in school and from friends, and became the first in his family to get a college degree from MSUM: Business Administration and International Business. He met his wife while on a trip back to Kosovo, and after a two-year long-distance courtship and permission from her dad, he married the “very pretty woman.”
“My goal?” Lika said, “I want a simple life. I’m not afraid to work hard—I learned that from my dad. I own some land back home, and if I can, I’d like to help build a hospital in that area. But for right now, I want to understand my customers so I can help them grow and succeed. Because if they’re successful, I’ll be successful too.”