Tammy Coomer, founder of Sea Breeze Cleaning Services, built her business out of a desire to give back and create opportunity after settling in St. Augustine with her family. With 15 years of dedication behind her, she’s proud of the strong community relationships she’s formed and excited to continue growing her impact locally and beyond.
Tell me about yourself and your background.
I am originally from Brazil, Indiana, and I moved here about 17-18 years ago. My husband's work as a commercial construction superintendent brought us to many different states. He was involved in large-scale projects, including the Epic movie theater here in St. Augustine and the surrounding areas. Our travels were extensive during our marriage, but we fell in love with this town. Despite building a new home in Indiana, St. Augustine just felt like home, so we decided to settle here.
Tell me about your family life.
My husband’s career led us through various cities and states, as the company was licensed in 22 states for commercial construction. Throughout our family travels, I homeschooled our son to ensure he had consistent education and social interactions, taking advantage of recess to play with other children. When we moved here, he chose to attend public school, and I supported that transition. Since our son enrolled in school here, I decided it was the right time to focus on my own path.
Tell me about how you began your business, Sea Breeze Cleaning Services.
I started it in 2010. My motivation for starting the business was to give back to the community and provide employment opportunities for others, enabling them to support their families. My journey to becoming a professional cleaner started with an innocent camp competition in my youth — the person who kept their dorm the cleanest won. So, while my roommates were out playing softball, I rolled up my sleeves and cleaned the room from top to bottom — and enjoyed every minute of it. It took four days to get it perfect, but I won! It definitely planted the seeds for my future ventures.
What was the vision when you first began?
When I first started my business, I initially serviced residential clients but soon shifted to predominantly commercial properties.
Was this your first time owning/operating a business?
Yes, I am a first-time business owner. As a first-time business owner, the experience has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve learned so much about managing a business, dealing with diverse personalities and maintaining strong client relationships.
As you look back on 15 years, what are you most proud of?
Reflecting on the past 15 years, I realize that one of the biggest rewards has been developing meaningful relationships within the community. The support has been vital to my success, and I am grateful for the encouragement I’ve received every step of the way.
Have you felt the support of the community throughout your time in business?
Absolutely. We’ve built strong relationships within the community, and word-of-mouth referrals drive a significant portion of our business. It’s really validating to have your customers show that kind of support, that they trust you enough to recommend you to their friends, family and business associates.
What’s been the most challenging part of running your business, and how have you overcome it?
Ensuring each client receives a high standard of cleaning can be difficult due to varying expectations, different cleaning staff and fluctuating schedules. A lot of training, quality control and communication with staff and clients have helped provide the quality of services.
What are you most looking forward to with the future of the business?
I am looking forward to growing within the community and expanding to other communities.
