TLC Carpet Care

It was Chumbley who taught Kennedy—who never finished high school and never attended college—the ins and outs of making a dollar. Chumbley was a Baptist minister but made much of his money through real estate and retired a millionaire, Kennedy said.

"He's the one who always used to tell me, he said 'Look, you can always work for someone else and make them rich, or you can start your own business and let other people make you rich,'" Kennedy said. "I ain't ever got to that rich part yet, but the aspect of it was very true."

"He's the one I miss right now," Kennedy said, gazing off into the room at nothing in particular.

And it was those kinds of lessons Kennedy put to use when he started TLC Carpet Care at the ripe old age of 21. Kennedy said he started the business with $5,000 his then father-in-law lent him for a 7.5 percent stake in the business.

Now, 20 years later, Kennedy and TLC Carpet Care are still going strong. Kennedy has four crews—one he runs himself—that perform regular carpet cleanings, stain removal and water restoration.

It's the water restoration part of the business that Kennedy seems most proud of. When portions of Round Rock flooded in September 2010, Kennedy said he often simply left his equipment in the most damaged portions of the city, knowing he'd be back the next day.

That's the level of attention and care for which TLC Carpet Care has come to be known locally.

Lisa Ellis, co-owner of Danny Ray's Music and a customer of TLC, said she was impressed with the customer service and Kennedy's willingness to help.

"They did a great job. They were very prompt and courteous, if people even use that word anymore," Ellis said. "I had gotten a quote from them five to six months before and he honored that quote."

Kennedy even made the trip to Danny Ray's himself, whereas Ellis said other carpet cleaning companies weren't even willing to make the trip given Danny Ray's smaller square footage.

"I've spent my whole life taking care of my company, the people that work for me, my kids, and, I mean, doing the best I can for who I am to survive and succeed," he said. "It's been a long, rocky road."

TLC Carpet Care, 1201 Provident Lane, Round Rock, www.tlccarpetcare.com, 244-5453