Entrepreneur brings home cleaning, tax services to Port Charlotte

Still going strong after nearly 40 years in business, Sue Covington has no plans to slow down or retire. In fact, she celebrated a new location for her Merry Maids home cleaning service franchise and Convenient Tax Service on Feb. 7 in Port Charlotte.

The businesses were previously located in North Port but had to relocate after its former building sold, paving the way for Covington’s businesses’ move to Charlotte County.

While Merry Maids is a franchise with headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, Convenient Tax Service is Covington’s brainchild she started while working in a Wisconsin bank. She enjoyed doing tax returns for people and, at the same time, wanted to own a business.

Covington bought her first Merry Maids franchise 38 years ago. The large three-story building in Milwaukee that housed Merry Maids also had ample room for Convenient Tax Service offices.

At 3271 Tamiami Trail, Merry Maids and Convenient Tax Service will continue to share the same building.

Over the years, Covington bought more Merry Maids franchises while continuing to run her tax service company for 25 years in Wisconsin before moving to Charlotte County over a dozen years ago.

Family members, including her husband, joined forces. Besides having several franchises in Wisconsin and Illinois, Covington bought six in Florida with territories covering from Venice south to Fort Myers and Cape Coral.

She sold four of the Florida franchises and now runs the Port Charlotte operations alongside husband Dennis Neilson and niece Bobbie Johnson with help from Johnson’s son, Aiden Dunaway.

Covington’s son, Matt Gour, like his mother, also is an entrepreneur. He took over Covington’s Merry Maids Venice franchise and owns My Soft Wash Guys exterior home and roof cleaning services. In Wisconsin and Illinois, Covington’s two daughters and niece run Merry Maids franchises.

It’s not about money at this stage of her life but giving back, Covington said.

She is most proud of her tax business, which has helped some 4,000 clients.

Now, Covington is on a quest to inform Floridians about a new law that took effect in December. Those who suffered losses from Hurricane Ian can amend their 2022 tax returns to deduct expenses from the storm.

“The deadline is April 15. I’m trying to get the word out,” she said.

The same holds true for losses incurred from hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Covington chose a franchising opportunity with Merry Maids because the company supplies all the necessary equipment, including child- and pet-friendly cleaning solvents with no toxic chemicals. In addition, Merry Maids insures its workers who, if injured, are covered by workers’ compensation insurance, and the business carries liability insurance.

“If something is broken, we replace it,” she said.

Cost is one of the factors that have helped Covington’s businesses thrive. She said her tax service is “two-thirds less expensive than big box tax services.” Convenient Tax also gives a 50% discount for new clients.