Today we’d like to introduce you to Clyde Harden.
Hi Clyde, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
In 2020, my wife and I felt inspired by God to start Harden Enterprise Services LLC. At first, I was hesitant and only followed her lead, but soon after, a few lucrative opportunities helped me discover my own motivation and vision for what our family business could become.
Early on, we enrolled in the Bid Academy program at Prairie View A&M University, where we learned about government contracting, business certifications, and available resources. We quickly pursued certifications like HUB (Historically Underutilized Business) and SDVOSB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business), which positioned us to work with government agencies, local organizations, and private customers at a higher level.
In 2021, San Jacinto County was devastated by one of the worst freezes in decades. The county’s emergency manager reached out to us for help. This was the moment everything changed. Together with local nonprofit disaster relief organizations, we coordinated repairs and became a trusted general contractor in the community. Over the next two years, we repaired more than 300 homes—rebuilding not just houses but restoring lives. It was then that we realized our true niche was disaster relief.
Through additional training opportunities and grants, we narrowed our focus and launched HE Disaster Restoration, a DBA under our parent company. This opened the door to even more opportunities, from insurance claims to large-scale disaster recovery contracts. We’ve since served as a prime contractor on debris cleanup projects across Texas, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida.
What began with just my wife and me has now grown into a team of 7 full-time employees, 3 part-time staff, and over 50 subcontractors. We’ve also expanded into multiple departments:
• Tonya Harden Ministries – Book editing, publishing, and mentoring for women
• HE Printing & Marketing – Helping businesses with branding and promotion
• HE Disaster Restoration – Our core disaster relief operations
• HE Tree & Debris Management Team – Large-scale cleanup and recovery support
From just $700 in revenue in 2020 to achieving 7 figures in only five years, our journey is proof that with faith, persistence, and service, incredible growth is possible. More importantly, it’s a testimony of how a small family business can grow into a trusted resource for communities in need.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest challenges we faced early on was simply not knowing what we didn’t know. We were brand new to business ownership and had to learn quickly in order to grow efficiently. That meant trusting mentors, leaning on people who were further along than us, and taking advantage of resources we didn’t even realize existed when we first started.
Financial management was another major hurdle. We didn’t fully understand things like Net-30, Net-45, or Net-60 payment terms at first, which created real challenges when it came to cash flow. We had to figure out how to pay subcontractors and purchase materials upfront, all while waiting on payments from larger contracts. Balancing those financial pressures while still learning how to run the business was a steep learning curve.
Through perseverance, resourcefulness, and faith, we overcame those obstacles. Looking back, those early challenges shaped the way we run our business today — more disciplined, more financially prepared, and always open to learning.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about HE Disaster Restoration ?
Vision: To be the leading disaster restoration company in the Houston area, known for our efficient, thorough, and compassionate service. We leverage technology to maximize efficiency and accuracy, restoring homes and lives to their pre-loss condition while fostering a positive and supportive environment for our team and subcontractors.
Motto: Restoring Communities, & Rebuilding Lives.
Core Values:
– Quality: We are dedicated to delivering exceptional results, and if anything falls short, we are committed to returning and making it right.
– Efficiency: We utilize technology and streamlined processes to maximize efficiency and accuracy.
– Teamwork: We believe in the power of collaboration and mutual support, both within our team and with our subcontractors.
– Customer Focus: We prioritize open communication and strive to exceed customer expectations with every project.
– Integrity: We operate with honesty, transparency, and accountability in all our dealings.
– Employee Well-being: We value our employees and subcontractors, ensuring a healthy work-life balance and a positive work environment.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Call 936-653-4526
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hedisasterrestoration.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hedisasterrestoration/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/hedisaster/
