Hidden Gems: Meet Lee Cantres of Stratus Clean

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lee Cantres.

Lee, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
After following Lee Cantres and his team’s success for several years, we decided to sit down with the man behind one of Georgia’s fastest-growing commercial cleaning operations. What we discovered was more than just business growth; it was a company focused on culture, consistency, and redefining service standards throughout the Atlanta market

Formerly operating as Stratus Building Solutions, the company underwent a major transformation in late 2024 to early 2025, rebranding as Stratus Clean with a fresh identity and a renewed vision for the future.

The rebrand to Stratus Clean generated significant attention across the Atlanta market. What inspired the transition?

Lee Cantres: We wanted a fresh look that reflected where we were heading as a company. The industry is changing, and we wanted our brand to represent growth, professionalism, and innovation while continuing to deliver the same high-quality service our customers know us for.

And growth is definitely something your company has experienced. In 2025, your office was recognized as the fastest-growing operation in the entire Stratus system. What do you credit that success to?

Lee Cantres: Honestly, it comes down to our team and our commitment to customer service. We focus heavily on communication, accountability, and consistency. We’ve built a culture where everyone understands the importance of putting the client first, and I think that’s what separates us.

One statistic that stood out to us was your reported 0% customer cancellation rate. That’s almost unheard of in the service industry.

Lee Cantres: We take a lot of pride in that. Retaining customers means we’re doing the small things right every single day. We move fast when issues arise, we stay proactive, and we make sure our clients always feel supported.

Your company has also received several major recognitions, including Office of the Year and Best of Georgia. What do awards like those mean to you and your staff?

Lee Cantres: It’s rewarding because it reflects the hard work of the entire organization. Those awards belong to our employees, franchisees, and leadership team who put in the effort every day to maintain high standards.

Stratus Clean now operates from three office locations throughout metro Atlanta. Tell us about that strategy.

Lee Cantres: We wanted to position ourselves to efficiently service every part of the city. Our Kennesaw office supports the west side of Atlanta, our Gwinnett office handles the east side, and our Forest Park headquarters focuses on the south side and central operations. Having multiple locations enables us to respond quickly and maintain quality control across the market.

What’s next for Stratus Clean?

Lee Cantres: Continued growth, but smart growth. We want to continue expanding throughout Georgia while maintaining the same level of service that helped us get here. Our focus is on building long-term relationships and continuing to raise the standard in commercial cleaning.

As Stratus Clean continues its expansion throughout Georgia, one thing is clear: Lee Cantres and his team are not simply building a cleaning company; they are building a brand centered around service, speed, and consistency, with no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Lee Cantres: Absolutely not. Like any growing business, we faced a lot of challenges along the way. Growth sounds exciting, but rapid growth also brings pressure. One of the biggest struggles was building the right team and maintaining consistency while expanding so quickly throughout the Atlanta market.

Another challenge was changing the mindset within the company during our transition from Stratus Building Solutions to Stratus Clean. A rebrand is more than just a new logo — it’s changing culture, systems, expectations, and making sure everyone is aligned with the new vision.

The labor market was also difficult, especially after COVID. Finding reliable people who take pride in their work was a challenge for the entire service industry. We had to focus heavily on training, leadership development, and creating an environment where people felt valued and motivated.

There were also long nights and difficult decisions behind the scenes that most people never see. Expanding into multiple office locations, managing operations across different parts of Atlanta, and keeping service quality high at the same time required a lot of discipline and sacrifice.

But honestly, those struggles helped shape who we are today. They forced us to become more organized, more focused, and more committed to our customers and our team. Success rarely comes from a smooth road it comes from how you respond when things get difficult.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Lee Cantres: Stratus Clean is a commercial cleaning and facility services company focused on delivering high-quality, reliable, and professional cleaning solutions throughout Atlanta and the surrounding areas. We service a wide range of facilities including medical offices, corporate buildings, industrial spaces, educational facilities, fitness centers, and retail properties.

What really sets us apart is our speed, communication, and consistency. In this industry, clients want a company they can depend on — not just when things are going well, but especially when challenges arise. We built our company around responsiveness and accountability. Our clients know they can reach us, and they know problems get handled quickly.

We also take a lot of pride in our structure and operations. With offices located in Kennesaw, Gwinnett, and Forest Park, we’re able to efficiently service every side of Atlanta while maintaining strong quality control. That operational setup gives us a major advantage because we can respond faster and support our customers better than many competitors.

Another thing that separates us is our culture. We invest heavily into our team, training, and leadership development because we believe great service starts with great people. We’ve created an environment where our staff and franchise partners understand that every building we clean represents our brand and reputation.

Brand wise, I’m most proud of the trust we’ve built in the market. Awards are great, and we’re honored to have received recognition such as Fastest Growing Office, Office of the Year, Best of Georgia, and maintaining a 0% cancellation rate, but what matters most is the long-term relationships we’ve built with our customers.

I want readers to know that Stratus Clean is more than just a cleaning company. We’re a company focused on professionalism, reliability, and creating real partnerships with our clients. Our goal is to continue raising the standard within the commercial cleaning industry while continuing to grow throughout Georgia.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Lee Cantres: One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that networking is not about collecting contacts — it’s about building genuine relationships. A lot of people walk into a room focused on what they can gain, but the most valuable connections usually come when you focus on how you can provide value to others first.

For me, mentorship came from being willing to listen and stay humble. Early on, I surrounded myself with people who had already accomplished things I wanted to achieve. I asked questions, stayed consistent, and paid attention to how successful people handled pressure, leadership, and decision-making.

I also learned that mentors don’t always come in a formal way. Sometimes it’s a business owner, a client, an employee, or even someone you meet briefly who gives you advice that changes your perspective. You have to stay open to learning from everyone around you.

Networking has worked well for me because I’ve always believed in maintaining relationships long after the business conversation ends. Return phone calls, follow up, show appreciation, and always protect your reputation. In business, your name and credibility travel faster than anything else.

I’d also tell people not to be afraid of starting small. Some of the strongest business relationships I’ve built started from simple conversations or small opportunities that eventually grew into long-term partnerships.

Most importantly, stay authentic. People can tell when someone is genuine versus when they’re only networking for personal gain. Long-term success comes from trust, consistency, and treating people the right way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stratusclean.com/