For over 28 years, Big Sky Chem-Dry of Missoula was owned by Al and Janice Haith. They worked hard to shape this carpet cleaning business into what it is today. Working with pride and integrity, Al made sure to always put customers and their carpet needs first. When it was time for The Haith’s to retire, they wanted to make sure to find the right person; someone who takes pride in their work, with a strong work ethic and who could keep the business thriving. For Al, that was Mike Walker.

Mike was born and raised in Missoula, Montana. He graduated from Big Sky High School in 2006 and from The University of Montana for Diesel Mechanics in 2008. He currently resides in Huson, MT. From a young age, he learned that to be successful you must earn it with hard work. Always willing to help others and do what it takes to get the job done and the job done right. Never in a million years did he think he would buy a carpet cleaning business, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

History of the Chem-Dry Brand

Robert Harris started working his way through law school in the 1970’s as a carpet cleaner working for many different carpet cleaning companies. He eventually became unsatisfied with the results from the available cleaning products and began researching a better solution. Harris’ research consisted of many years of studying the chemical properties and reactions of a variety of cleaning formulas. Combined with continual experimentation, he was required to clean carpets with a succession of many cleaning formulations. This is comparable to how Edison tried to build the perfect light bulb 100 times before he succeeded.

Eventually, Robert Harris discovered the ideal cleaning formula. His unique carbonated solution delivered exceptional cleaning and was also safe and non-toxic. Harris founded Chem-Dry and soon the demand for his superior cleaning services grew exponentially. His entrepreneurial journey blossomed into a thriving success that has continued to grow since those first days in the early 70’s. From the very first small group of franchise locations, the original Chem-Dry network has expanded over recent decades to offer thousands of successful franchises throughout the world, including Big Sky Chem-Dry of Missoula here in Missoula.