Four years ago, Tarvia Bills was waitressing tables at an Arlington restaurant. Today, she heads a successful residential, commercial and construction cleaning company that continues to expand after landing a contract on the Globe Life Field project.

When Bills started her Arlington-based business in 2015, she cleaned just a handful of homes. After joining the Arlington Black Chamber of Commerce and connecting with the ACARI Management Group, Bills said she received the support and guidance she needed to become a certified Minority/Woman Business Enterprise and seek more substantial contracts.

Those efforts paid off. Last year, Tarvia Bills The Cleaning Lady, LLC., received the contract to clean Manhattan Construction Company's office and construction trailers at the Globe Life Field site. Now she employs 22 full-time and part-time employees to tackle the growing number of ballpark subcontractors who have requested her cleaning services after learning of her work with Manhattan Construction.

"It took off overnight," Bills said about demand. "It's been a great and wonderful experience. I'm so truly blessed they are considering me."

Thanks to her success, Bills has been able to purchase a vehicle for her business and help her twin sons with their college expenses. She said she was also able to take her very first vacation. Next year, she plans to expand her services once again, offering carpet cleaning and floor buffing while also seeking cleaning contracts for real estate agents and other Arlington businesses.

In June, Tarvia Bills The Cleaning Lady, LLC received a "Rookie of the Year" award for her work associated with the Globe Life Field project. Bills said she appreciates the City of Arlington and and Rangers' commitment to providing meaningful opportunities to local and minority/women-owned businesses.

"I am so very thankful they have taken the time to recognize minority business owners and to use local talent," Bills said. "I get emotional. This has sent me to a new direction, into construction. They are giving the little guy a chance. That would be me, the little guy."