Small Business Spotlight: Clearview Windows & More

Small Business Spotlight

Leffel Growing As Clearview Windows & More Owner

Kyle Leffel takes satisfaction in taking something dirty and making it clean – in the case of his business, it’s glass.

The North Manchester native started working for Dennis Unger at Clearview Windows & More in 2010 and took over the business in January 2019.

“I saw it as a great opportunity to continue an already successful business that so many people in the area count on year after year,” Leffel said.

Leffel and Unger have been family for over a decade as Leffel and Unger’s daughter, Amy, live in North Manchester with their children Ayla, 8, and Lennon, 2.

Dennis Unger was a custodian at Thomas Marshall Elementary School from 1978 to 1988 before he got into the glass cleaning business.

“When Manchester Elementary School opened in August (1988) I knew I would be placed on second shift,” he said.

Unger bought Sunshine Cleaning, a maid service in the North Manchester area, when the previous owner was set to retire. Unger kept the existing clients who asked if he would wash their windows, leading him to expand into residential and commercial window cleaning. He sold the maid service in 1988 to focus solely on window cleaning.

“In the early days I would do one house a day solo,” Unger said.

As the business grew he would hire three to four employees, mostly local high school and college students during the busiest windowcleaning season from April to September, according to Unger.

Enter Leffel.

A 2007 Manchester High School and 2012 Manchester College (University) graduate, Leffel jumped on board at Clearview Windows & More in 2010 while he finished his education but had his eye on a career in the restaurant business.

“I would work with Dennis each summer as much as I could while also working in area restaurants,” Leffel said. “I worked at Main View (North Manchester), Cerulean (Winona Lake), Joseph Ducuis (Roanoke), and The Golden (Fort Wayne). I decided to come on fulltime as a window cleaner after leaving The Golden in spring of 2017.”

Leffel said after working two seasons full-time alongside Unger, learning the finer points of running the business, he was ready to take over ownership of Clearview Windows & More.

Leffel comes from a line of small business on both sides of his family. His grandmother and uncle own Manchester Floor Covering and his great-great grandfather owned Lautzenhizer Meat Market.

“I figured it is in my blood to own and operate [a business] of my own,” he said. “Of course, I thought it would be a restaurant, but as of right now, the window cleaning business is a perfect fit for me and my family.

“Owning a business is hard work and I have learned a lot so far,” Leffel added. “The flexibility of the seasonal schedule is what I enjoy most. Having some downtime in the harder winter months is great for spending more time with my family.”

Clearview Windows & More is more than just a North Manchester business, with clients in Warsaw, Syracuse, Fort Wayne, Rochester, Wabash and around the lakes of Kosciusko County.

While residential and commercial window cleaning is the main focus of the business, Leffel said they also

offer gutter cleaning, some pressure washing and vinyl siding wash. Additional interior cleaning work often includes light fixtures, ceiling fans, and mirrors.

“If its glass, we’ll clean it,” Leffel said.

Business this spring has been slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic but Leffel said he’s seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

“We’ve decreased with monthly commercial accounts, which is understandable,” he said. “Residentially, March and April were slower than normal but now that the weather is getting warmer, our clients have started scheduling for window cleaning.

“I am very grateful for all of my clients – returning and new – that have been flexible during this time,”

Leffel continued. “In April I decided to only do work outside of homes in order to effectively social distance. Now, when we go into homes, we wear masks and take any other social distancing measures that the client prefers.”

Leffel said his biggest focus is satisfying his clients after each finished job.

“I have a love and satisfaction for cleaning glass,” he said. “…taking something dirty, giving it a little TLC, and ending up with something that looks close to brand new. Clean windows really do make a house feel extra clean. That is immediate satisfaction, and when a client is happy, I am happy.”

Clearview Windows & More prices vary according to window style and condition of windows.

Call Kyle Leffel at 574-268-8607 for information and a free quote.

Kyle Leffel cleans the windows of one of his many customers.

28 Years! Thank You!

Call us soon to Help You! 115 N. Walnut St.

North Manchester

Carol Butler • 260-578-8299

Jerry Johnson • 260-578-0422

Kylie Rickert-Snyder • 260-901-9548 See all of our listings at hoosier1realty.com

Rehabilitation Services

• Physical Therapy • Speech therapy • Occupational Therapy • Respiratory Therapy • Post Surgical Care • Joint Replacement • Stroke Recovery • Rheumatologic Conditions • Neurological Conditions • Fall Prevention • Incontinence Program • Pain Management • Heart Disease • Neuropathy

We also offer:

•Skilled and intermediate pediatric and geriatric care • Medical director and area physicians on call • Licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants • Activities • Advanced medical equipment • Recreational Activities • Skilled Nursing Care • Food preparation • Special diet services • Sensory Therapy Center • Music Therapy Center • Dental, optometry, audiology, podiatry, psychiatric, respiratory therapy Medicare & Medicaid Approved Center

Long-Term Care | Respite Care| Rehabilitative Care VernonHealthAndRehab.com | (260) 563-8438 | Wabash