For most people, the thought of starting over can be terrifying. It comes with unknowns and potential instability. But for Brijida Castro, it also meant freedom and the chance to be independent for the first time in her life.
After 17 years of being a stay-at-home mom, Brijida faced uncertainty when she and her husband divorced. Overnight, she became a single mother of three and the sole caregiver to her daughter with Down Syndrome, with little work experience to fall back on.
“I came from nothing and hadn’t worked since getting married, so it was daunting to join the workforce,” Brijida recalls. “But it was also exciting. I’ve always loved learning, so I tried to treat this as an opportunity to expand my horizons and finally live life on my terms.”
With the weight of being her family’s provider, Brijida quickly found her footing, taking an entry-level cleaning job in Las Vegas. Although she knew nothing about the industry, she threw herself into learning, consistently asking for training and taking on more responsibility. Within four years, she became the manager of over 200 people.
“I was blessed to work with people who recognized my potential, taught me, and helped me get to the next level,” she notes.
A few years later and ready for her next challenge, Brijida applied for a Project Manager role with CCS Facility Services, a position designed to launch the company’s Las Vegas operations. The chance to build something from the ground up while mentoring and inspiring others was too good to pass up.
“I told the company: ‘Give me the opportunity, and I’ll show you what I can do.’”
Over the last 13 years, Brijida has more than delivered on that challenge, advancing from Project Manager to General Manager, growing the Las Vegas branch’s business to support a variety of industries, including medical and industrial manufacturing, while maintaining an industry-leading 99% customer retention rate, all while developing hundreds of employees into future leaders. Still, Brijida knew there was one more step she needed to achieve her dreams: mastering English.
Her determination didn’t go unnoticed. CCS Facility Services supported her through mentorship and an executive communication program, and after countless classes, exams, and coaching from CCS Facility Services Chief Operating Officer Todd VanOpdorp, Brijida finally achieved the fluency she had always desired.
“Brijida’s desire to learn was immediately apparent,” says Todd. “When I discovered that she wanted to improve her communication skills, I was eager to help—empowering our team members to achieve their dreams is always a priority.” He adds, “Brijida is an inspiration to so many; she now serves as a mentor to many others within the organization.”
Recently, Brijida joined other CCS Facility Services leaders to attend ISSA’s Visión, Empeño, Oportunidad (VEO) conference in Chicago, which focused on empowering and expanding Hispanic leaders in the janitorial industry. The event had a profound impact on Brijida. “Engaging with peers from other companies highlighted the diversity of experiences in our industry,” she said. “There is tremendous value in listening to
the different journeys that brought people to this industry and how their perspectives are shaping the industry’s future.”
Now, Brijida hopes her story shows others that they, too, can achieve their American Dream, no matter the circumstances, through hard work, perseverance, and an unyielding belief in yourself.
“Growing up, my dad told me: ‘Your burden is going to be heavier because you’re a Hispanic woman and you don’t speak English. You’re going to have to work triple, but you can do it,’” Brijida recalls.
“And sure enough,” she shares proudly, “I’ve done it.”
