Every business has a name. Few have a story behind it.
The story of Calabash Mint began over three decades ago, not in a boardroom, but with an early-morning cleaning shift.
At 17, with no qualifications and little idea of where his career might lead, Calabash founder Julian Hill moved to London and started from the ground up as a cleaner with one of the country’s largest cleaning companies.
It was demanding work, with early starts and difficult sites, but it gave Julian a sense of pride and fulfilment.
One colleague in particular, Tom Salmon, made a lasting impression on him. Tom believed in rolling up his sleeves, maintaining high standards and doing whatever was necessary to give clients exceptional service.
Julian progressed through the company and, within a few years, was travelling around the UK and Europe helping to quote for and launch major office-cleaning contracts. However, he increasingly wanted the freedom to do things differently.
In 1992, married and with a newborn baby, Julian took the leap and started a cleaning company of his own.
One of the first people he called was Tom.
The origins of Calabash Mint
The business grew over the following decade, initially providing commercial and residential cleaning services. Then, in 2002, following a change in the company’s ownership structure, Julian continued with the commercial cleaning side and needed a new name.
The inspiration came from somewhere rather more personal. Calabash was the name of the hotel where Julian and his wife Helen had spent their honeymoon.
And so Calabash was born.
In 2005, Julian expanded into washroom hygiene, bringing his cousin and lifelong friend, David Richardson, into the business to lead the new division.
In 2019, following the sale of the office-cleaning business, Calabash Washroom Hygiene acquired Mint Hygiene, creating the company known today as Calabash Mint.
Julian became Chairman, while David continued as Managing Director, leading the business with care, kindness and integrity.
Following David’s passing in 2024, Mabel Urrego, who had worked alongside him as Finance Director, stepped into the role of Managing Director, with Julian remaining as Chairman.
A business built around people
Throughout the company’s evolution, one principle has remained central to Julian’s philosophy: providing exceptional service by investing in good people.
From its early days, Calabash employed people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Julian believed that anyone demonstrating loyalty, trustworthiness and a willingness to work hard deserved the opportunity to develop and thrive.
It’s a philosophy that continues to shape Calabash Mint, where the quality of its service is built on the people delivering it.
The principles that remain today
Today, Calabash Mint provides washroom hygiene services to businesses across London and the South East of England.
While the business has grown and evolved considerably, the principles Julian learned during his earliest days in the industry remain at its heart: taking pride in the work, looking after clients, maintaining high standards and creating opportunities for people to succeed.
The Calabash Mint story is more than just the origins of a name. It’s a reflection of the people and values that have shaped the business for over three decades.
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The People Behind Calabash Mint: Meet Mabel Urrego
Discover Mabel Urrego’s inspiring journey from starting a new life in the UK to becoming Managing Director of Calabash Mint, a story of determination, ambition and opportunity.
