Today we’d like to introduce you to Mechelle Williams.
Hi Mechelle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My husband James and I started Sanisafe Services, LLC on March 27, 2020. It was a leap of faith, especially since we launched right as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Talk about timing! But we’ve always been a team that thrives on challenges, and we were determined to make it work.
James has been in the water industry for a decade, holding licenses as both a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator and a Water Treatment Plant Operator. His expertise in water safety was the foundation of our business. We began as a backflow prevention company, offering testing, repair, and installation services. Backflow prevention is critical for keeping water supplies safe, which we’re both deeply passionate about.
Over the years, we’ve expanded our services to include Cross Connection Control Program Management, helping water providers with surveys, ordinances, and inspections. We’re also proud members of the American Water Works Association (AWWA), which keeps us connected to industry leaders and best practices.
In 2024, we took another big step by introducing Workplace Safety Services. This came after I became OSHA 510/511 certified. It felt like a natural extension of our mission to protect people—whether it’s through clean water or safe workplaces.
Education has always been a priority for us. We both earned our Train-the-Trainer Certificate from the University of Florida TREEO, which allows us to train others to help develop future leaders. I’m also pursuing my Bachelor’s Degree at Lake Sumter State College and expect to graduate in 2026. It’s never too late to learn and grow!
As lifelong Lake County natives, giving back to our community is incredibly important to us. I’m a member of Women United of the United Way, and James is always out on the golf course supporting charity events for schools, women’s causes, and scholarships. We’re raising our four adult children and eight grandchildren with the same values of hard work, education, and community service.
Looking back, it’s been a journey of resilience, learning, and teamwork. We’ve faced challenges head-on, grown our business, and stayed true to our mission of protecting water safety and workplace safety. We’re so grateful for the support of our family, our team, and our community, and we’re excited to see what the future holds for Sanisafe Services.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh, I wish I could say it’s been smooth, but the truth is, starting a business is rarely a straight path—and ours definitely wasn’t! When we launched Sanisafe Services on March 27, 2020, we had no idea that the world was about to change in ways we couldn’t have imagined. Just as we were getting started, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and everything became uncertain. Businesses were closing, people were hesitant to spend money, and we were faced with the challenge of building a brand-new company in the middle of a global crisis.
One of the biggest struggles early on was simply getting our name out there. With so many restrictions in place, traditional networking and in-person meetings weren’t an option. We had to get creative, relying heavily on digital marketing and word-of-mouth referrals. It was a steep learning curve, but we adapted quickly.
Another challenge was balancing the demands of a new business with our personal lives. James and I are not just business partners—we’re life partners, and we have a big, beautiful family. We have four adult children and eight grandchildren who mean the world to us. Juggling the responsibilities of growing a business while being present for our family wasn’t easy, but we’ve always been a team, and we leaned on each other to make it work.
Financially, it was tough in the beginning too. Starting a business requires a lot of upfront investment, and there were times when we weren’t sure if we’d make it through the next month. But we stayed focused on our mission—protecting water safety—and we kept pushing forward. We made sure to prioritize customer service and build strong relationships with our clients, which helped us grow steadily over time. The most notable relationships that helped build our business are LEAD (Lake Economic Area Development), SBDC (Small Business Development Centers), and 1MC (1 Million Cups). These organizations offered no-cost support to our developing small business. The value they added to our business cannot be measured. We thank them wholeheartedly.
One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been overcoming those struggles and seeing how far we’ve come. We’ve expanded our services, earned certifications, and built a reputation for excellence in our industry. We’ve also been able to give back to our community, which is something we’re incredibly proud of.
So, no, it hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has taught us something valuable. It’s made us stronger, more resilient, and more determined to succeed. And honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing—because every struggle has been part of our story, and it’s brought us to where we are today.
We’ve been impressed with Sanisafe Services, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Sanisafe Services, LLC, our mission is simple but vital: “Protecting Your People”. We specialize in ensuring the safety of water systems and workplaces, and we take immense pride in the work we do.
When we started in 2020, our focus was (and still is) on backflow prevention—testing, repairing, and installing backflow devices to keep water supplies clean and safe. Backflow prevention is critical because it stops contaminated water from flowing back into clean water systems, which is something we’re deeply passionate about. James, my husband and business partner, has a decade of experience as a licensed Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator and Water Treatment Plant Operator, so water safety is in our DNA.
Over the years, we’ve expanded our services to include Cross Connection Control Program Management. This means we help water providers manage their cross-connection programs, including surveys, ordinances, and inspections. We’re also proud members of the American Water Works Association (AWWA), which keeps us connected to industry leaders and ensures we’re always up-to-date on the latest standards and best practices.
In 2024, we took another big step by introducing Workplace Safety Services. After I became OSHA 510/511 certified, we saw an opportunity to extend our mission of safety beyond water systems and into workplaces. Now, we help businesses create safer environments by ensuring compliance with OSHA standards and fostering a culture of safety.
What sets us apart is our commitment to excellence, customer service, and education. We’re not just here to provide a service—we’re here to build relationships and make a lasting impact. We’ve earned our Train-the-Trainer Certificate from the University of Florida TREEO, which allows us to train others and share our expertise. I’m also currently pursuing my Bachelor’s Degree at Lake Sumter State College, because we believe in leading by example and continuously growing.
Brand-wise, we’re most proud of our reputation for reliability, expertise, and integrity. Our clients know they can trust us to deliver top-notch service and prioritize their safety above all else. Whether it’s protecting their water systems or their employees, we take that responsibility seriously.
To your readers, I’d say this: Sanisafe Services is more than just a business—we’re a team of dedicated professionals who care deeply about protecting what matters most. From backflow prevention to workplace safety, we’re here to ensure that your people, your water, and your business are safe and secure. Our tagline says it all: “Protecting Your People”.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me—and to James—is making a positive impact. Whether it’s through our work, our community involvement, or our family, we want to leave things better than we found them.
In our business, that means protecting what matters most: people. That’s why our tagline, “Protecting Your People”, is so meaningful to us. Clean, safe water is something many people take for granted, but we know how critical it is to public health. James’s background as a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator and Water Treatment Plant Operator has given us a deep appreciation for the importance of water safety, and it’s why we’re so passionate about what we do. When we test, repair, or install backflow assemblies or manage cross-connection programs for water providers, we’re not just doing a job—we’re safeguarding communities.
The same goes for our Workplace Safety Services. After I became OSHA 510/511 certified, we realized we could extend our mission to help businesses create safer environments for their employees. Knowing that our work helps prevent accidents and keeps people safe is incredibly rewarding.
But it’s not just about our business. Giving back to our community is a huge part of who we are. As lifelong Lake County natives, this community has shaped us, and we feel a responsibility to give back. I’m a member of Women United of the United Way, and James is always out supporting local causes through charity golf tournaments. We believe in investing in the places and people that have given us so much.
And, of course, family matters most. We have four adult children and eight grandchildren who are the center of our world. They inspire us to work hard, stay grounded, and lead by example. We want to show them that with dedication, resilience, and a heart for service, you can make a difference.
So, what matters most to us? It’s the people—our clients, our community, and our family. At the end of the day, it’s all about protecting, serving, and uplifting the people who make our lives meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sanisafeservices.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/sanisafeservicesllc/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/sanisafeservicesllc/
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/sanisafe-services-llc/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sanisafeservicesllc7976
