Isaac Perry left the fields of Alabama for Fort Wayne, in 1971, with a work ethic built for entrepreneurism that made most jobs feel like a breeze. He worked where he could. He trained horses in Bama. He worked at Mike's Carwash in Fort Wayne, he had construction jobs. "If you don't mind working, you'll make it work." He started Perry Carpet Cleaning Service, a full-time job, while he worked another full-time (factory) job at Dana in Churubusco. The year was 1979. 11 years later in 1990, and he resigned from Dana after 18 years to pursue Perry Carpet.

Before that, Perry started in the cleaning business with his wife Mary, who worked for Top Hat Cleaners. He didn't know much about the business. His experience was bolstered after the purchase of a portable unit that opened up Top Hat to bigger clients. They cleaned department stores like JCPenney's in overnight shifts, while Perry delivered work clothes, and while working for Dana. When his boss didn't keep his promise of 20% profits from the new business, he left. "You don't give up your dream, you keep that dream going. You never give it up."

At one point, Perry Carpet employed a staff of 12. Most of Perry's staff now is Isaac, Mary, and their son and residential manager, Hakim Muhammad. There's always going to be work in the cleaning business. "And some days I can't even keep up. I still love it. Like I did the first day. It's a blessing when that phone rings. That's joy when that job comes in."

Perry Carpet is a full-service cleaning company, including janitorial services, with a range of cities 15 to 20 miles outside of Fort Wayne. Perry's has been the go-to for generations of residents, businesses, and nonprofits. It's a generational company. "Another 30 years, I want to see it keep going. I want the grandkids to keep it going."

From father to son, to everyone.