The Fix It company began in 1987 when owner Linda A. Barr, newly single mother, responsible for two teenage daughters found herself cash-strapped. She made a business for herself, offering a service always in demand cleaning. Her first venture, a commercial janitorial service in the north Chicago area, cleaned offices at night and bars after closing. In the morning she would return to her Evanston home and take care of her girls, making sure they were ready for school. When they left, she would sleep.