Articles

Franchisee Spotlight – Marcia Byrd, Corvus of Chicago

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In this month’s Franchisee Spotlight Series, we are featuring Corvus of Chicago Franchise Owner Ms. Marcia Byrd. Read on to learn more about the standout Franchisee who goes above and beyond to Make Lives Better!

To keep up with the Franchisee Spotlight Series and all things Corvus, follow us on Instagram! @corvus_janitorial_franchising

Ms. Marcia Byrd, a Corvus Franchisee in Chicago, had quite the start to her business. She opened her franchise in April 2020 and by July 2020, she had already received the “Franchisee of the Month” award. Corvus of Chicago Regional Director, Dave Ronning, attributes Ms. Byrd’s quick success to her positive attitude and reliability.

Corvus franchise owner Marcia Byrd in front of Corvus sign
Corvus Franchise Owner Marcia Byrd, Corvus of Chicago

Ms. Byrd started off motivated and determined to begin servicing customers – and growing her business – right away. A large part of Ms. Byrd’s achievements come from being a true team player. She realizes that a reliable and hard-working crew will help her Franchise flourish. A few of her family members have joined her business, and with their support, she now services four customer accounts – an impressive accomplishment given the short amount of time.

Not only does Ms. Byrd consistently provide high-quality services, but she also focuses on building long-lasting relationships with her customers. Ms. Byrds’ communication and networking skills have empowered her to create a solid foundation for her business.

Ms. Byrd has spread the word about Corvus’ franchise opportunities to several members in her community. Since beginning her business, Ms. Byrd has referred three additional Franchise Owners to Corvus. (P.S. – referring other Franchisees is a great way to add a bonus to your income!) Her enthusiasm and excitement show, and because of it, she has paved the way for others to succeed.

The Corvus Team would not and could not exist without hardworking and passionate Franchisees like Ms. Byrd. Thank you, Ms. Byrd, for all that you do! The Corvus community is grateful for your partnership and looks forward to growing together.

5 Ways Owning A Commercial Cleaning Company Helps Your Community

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In challenging and isolating times, discovering opportunities to connect with others is especially meaningful. Owning your own commercial cleaning company allows you to positively impact your community, and Corvus Janitorial’s dedicated Franchise Owners have found several ways to do just that. Here is how:

1. Deliver an Essential Service

Recent times have proven just how important and valuable commercial cleaning companies are. Just like grocery store employees, nurses, doctors, and first responders, these Franchise Owners are essential workers doing their jobs to keep our communities safe. The services they provide allow individuals to live freely, without the need to worry about their space being unclean or unsanitary. They truly care for the workplaces, businesses, schools, and members of the community that they serve.

2. Provide Expertise

Now more than ever, cleaning matters. There are many factors to consider when cleaning and disinfecting that are oftentimes overlooked. Do you think about dwell time when cleaning? Or if the products you use are even effective? Corvus Franchise Owners are experts in their field, and with that comes a much deeper understanding of what should be done to best protect their customers.

3. Contribute to the Economy

Commercial cleaning companies are a major, contributing factor to the wellbeing of local economies. Unemployment rates are higher than usual due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but clean and safe facilities help make it possible for people to go back to work. Without Franchise Owners’ hard work and dedication to public safety, local businesses would struggle to reopen and operate under clean and safe conditions.

4. Job Creation

Many Corvus Janitorial Franchise Owners have taken on several customer accounts and turned their Franchise into a scalable, full-time business. When this is the case, he or she may hire additional employees to fulfill their scope of responsibilities. In a time where so many people are burdened by unemployment, creating jobs for others has an immensely positive impact on the community.

5. Build Relationships in the Community

Commercial cleaning Franchise Owners serve a large variety of industries where they communicate, educate, inform, and assist their clients along the way. In doing so, they build trust within their community and create meaningful and valuable connections. By doing their jobs to meet the cleaning needs of others, a true partnership is created between Franchise Owners and customers.

Corvus Gives Thanks

Corvus Janitorial Systems wants to thank all the essential workers who are bravely serving our communities every day. We are proud to service essential businesses and the employees who keep them running.

If you’re ready to serve your community and take control of your career, owning a commercial cleaning company might be right for you. Contact us today to learn about business ownership with Corvus Janitorial Systems.

Franchisee Spotlight – Donald Valdery, Corvus of New Orleans

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Corvus is excited to introduce the “Franchisee Spotlight Series” to our blog. Every month, we will be highlighting Franchise Owners who go above and beyond To Make Lives Better. This month on the center stage is Corvus of New Orleans Franchise Owner Donald Valdery.

To keep up with the Franchisee Spotlight Series and all things Corvus, follow us on Instagram! @corvus_janitorial_franchising

Franchise Owner Mr. Donald Valdery started his cleaning business in May 2020, and he has already made a noteworthy impact in New Orleans. In just seven months, Mr. Valdery has brought consistency, attention to detail, charm, and a positive attitude to the New Orleans market.

Mr. Valdery is incredible at meeting new customers and taking control of the initial walkthrough. He sets realistic expectations with his customers on what will be accomplished in the first few months and explains that it will take some time to reach his high standards. Corvus of New Orleans Regional Director, Tommy Petagna, said that when joining Mr. Valdery on initial walkthroughs, “I keep my mouth shut, take a back seat, and let him do his thing.”

One of the many notable things about this standout Franchisee is his keen attention to detail. Mr. Valdery is extremely persistent- always sure to follow through on whatever it is that his customers need. In fact, his performance is so stellar that a customer personally called the Regional Director to say what a phenomenal job Mr. Valdery is doing and how impressed their office is by his terrific work ethic.

Tommy & Donald with masks
Corvus of New Orleans Franchisee, Donald Valdery and Regional Director, Tommy Petagna

Mr. Petagna and Mr. Valdery have known each other for the past five years and have a deep, mutual respect for one another. The Regional Director describes Mr. Valdery as a true partner- to himself and Corvus at large. Corvus of New Orleans attributes the standout Franchisee’s quick success to the deep pride he takes in his work. Since starting his Franchise, Mr. Valdery has taken on five days per week accounts, as well as helped Corvus expand their presence in the North Shore area of New Orleans.

Mr. Valdery has a huge heart and a smile that lights up the New Orleans office every time he comes in. At least once a month, he touches base with the New Orleans team to discuss his goals and how he plans to achieve them. Mr. Valdery has plans to do big things with his business, and the Corvus team has no doubt that he will do just that.

On behalf of everyone at Corvus Janitorial Systems, thank you Mr. Donald Valdery, for your hard work and dedication to your business. We are all so, so grateful for what you do!

Is Electrostatic Spraying Right for Your Office?

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Electrostatic spraying is a powerful disinfecting technique that is often used to promote health and safety in public spaces. It has long been used in settings like airports and medical facilities as part of a highly effective and efficient disinfecting strategy. But how do you know if electrostatic spraying is right for your office? Or if typical cleaning and disinfecting services and strategies are enough? Here are a few things to consider when it comes to this high-level disinfecting method:

How electrostatic spraying works

Electrostatic spraying works through the application of a positive electric charge to a liquid disinfectant. This combination creates a spray that reaches its target almost immediately and then sticks to it. Compared to traditional cleaning and disinfecting sprays, this method is much more effective. Instead of spraying specific areas directly, electrostatic spraying allows the service provider to achieve 360-degree coverage of the area they are treating. This means that it’s easier to hit high-touch surfaces and all of the corners and crevices that would otherwise be difficult to reach and might get missed.

Why your facility might need it

If your facility has many high-touch surface areas or sees a lot of traffic each day, you should consider electrostatic spraying your office. Electrostatic spraying is ideal for facilities like office spaces, schools, and medical facilities because these are high-traffic settings with many different high-touch surface areas. We can use this incredible and innovative disinfecting method to reduce the transmission of COVID in your facility. Along with things like wearing masks, frequent hand washing, and maintaining the appropriate distance, we can do more.

There are several important ways that we can ensure that we’re meeting safety precautions, protecting each other, and controlling the spread of COVID. With employees back in their workspaces and students back at their desks, social distancing needs to be met with additional efforts. Anyone who can’t work from home or engage in remote learning shouldn’t have to be scared or uncomfortable in shared spaces each day. If your facility is open, you have individuals coming in and out, and you have high-touch surfaces that need extra attention, you need electrostatic spraying.

Where else electrostatic spraying is used

Even before the COVID outbreak began, there were several different types of businesses and locations that made use of electrostatic spraying. One that we mentioned already: airlines. Imagine the number of individuals that walk through just one airport in a day (pre-coronavirus). Imagine the number of high-touch surfaces that they have to disinfect, from seats, belts, bathrooms, and armrests to storage bins, tray tables, and waiting areas. In any airport, there are plenty of areas that require a deep level of cleaning and disinfecting. But it’s not just airlines that use this high-level disinfecting method.

Electrostatic spraying has also long been used in medical facilities like hospitals and clinics, sports and athletic facilities, and other high-traffic areas. If it’s the method of choice in places where traffic is high and the stakes are higher, it’s clear that it should be the method of choice elsewhere, too. Employing effective cleaning and disinfecting services may be the sole choice that keeps your facility from closing during COVID-19 like so many others have already. Many office buildings and restaurants have had to close for a week or two at a time to clean and disinfect after someone tested positive. It’s better to be proactive, slow the spread, and avoid the shutdown rather than addressing it after the fact.

Peace of mind

When people hear the term “electrostatic spraying,” they tend to have several questions. The first one is usually what is it? Next: is it safe? Is there any way that it could be toxic or dangerous? Now that you know how electrostatic spraying works and where it’s used, let’s talk about toxicity. Most people are surprised to learn that electrostatic spraying actually uses fewer chemicals than more standard disinfection techniques. This is simply because electrostatic spraying is more efficient.

Its higher transfer efficiency and reach mean that it works better and can do the job using fewer chemicals. This reduces the chemical exposure for your employees, patients, or students, and also for the environment. COVID may have brought electrostatic spraying out into the limelight this year, but it’s not a new technique. The technology used in electrostatic spraying was invented nearly 100 years ago. It has been used in the background in the auto industry, airlines, hospitals, arenas, and other settings for many years. It is just recently becoming more popular in other settings, too.

This extra step could help protect you until we have a vaccine

With the promising news that the COVID vaccine may be distributed early in 2021, it can be tempting to ease back or loosen up. But now is the time to be more vigilant than ever before. With COVID cases still going up in numbers in many states across the country, now is not the time to slow down. The best way to keep our businesses open and ourselves and each other safe and healthy is to follow all of the guidelines that are being set out for us.

Wear your masks, wash your hands, keep your distance, and stay home if you’re not feeling well. But make sure that you’re not stopping there. In both your home and your business, routine cleaning and disinfecting can help reduce the risk of exposure. Don’t leave the health and safety of your business, employees, clients, students, or patients up to chance.

Conclusion

While we are inching closer, we aren’t back to normal just yet, and we should all be playing our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Our high-level electrostatic spraying services will help protect both your business and the people who interact with it. Your employees, clients and customers, and all of their families deserve the peace of mind that comes with high-level cleaning and disinfecting services.

With our high-quality services, proven systems, and dedicated teams, we can help you make the most of your facility and stay safe and healthy until things return to normal. Contact us today for a free quote for electrostatic spraying in your office.

Why Purchase an Office Cleaning Franchise…and Why Not

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In the past, we’ve talked about the actionable steps involved in opening an office cleaning business. We’ve talked about personal considerations, preferences, and unique goals, risk tolerance and aversion, and the benefits of entrepreneurship. Since we’ve shared these thoughts with you, the world has changed. Traditional employment options are fewer and farther between than they have been in a very long time. And it’s difficult to predict when things will return to normal for us again.

For some people, starting a business or becoming an entrepreneur has shifted from wish to necessity. For others, the trials and tribulations of this year have been enlightening and shown them that there is a better, stronger, and smarter career path available to them. Whatever drives you to consider purchasing an office cleaning franchise, it’s important to make sure that you’re doing it for the right reasons. If a business venture aligns with your personal mission, values, and goals, it’s much more likely to be successful.

Let’s talk about why you may want to purchase an office cleaning franchise first:

It offers freedom and independence

Purchasing an office cleaning franchise gives you freedom and independence that is nearly unmatched when it comes to other career paths. You can choose how much of yourself you want to dedicate to this business. You can work full-time with a few other employees or hire a full team and supervise, check-in, or work part-time. You can run a large full-time operation that acts as your sole source of income or you can simply use your office cleaning franchise to bring in supplemental income. Unlike many others, you can tailor this type of career path to align with your unique goals and lifestyle.

You can skip a step or two

When you purchase into a franchised business, you gain immediate access to assets that have already been established by someone in your industry. The franchisor has developed a business model, systems, and procedures that you can adopt and learn from. This saves you valuable time and energy by allowing you to skip over the time-consuming steps of developing these things on your own. You benefit from the work that they put in, their track record, and their success. They’ve established themselves as reliable, credible, and high-quality service providers in the cleaning industry. These things all increase the probability of your success when you purchase an office cleaning franchise under their wing.

Additionally, you’ll benefit from ongoing operational and sales support, access to capital, and a strong support system to rely on when you need guidance. While we help you build, you can focus on providing quality services, building meaningful client relationships, and doing what you do best. When you choose to own and operate an office cleaning franchise under Corvus, you’re never alone. With nearly 15 years under the same management and ownership team, we’ve built a trustworthy brand with national recognition. Our high-quality service, honesty, and reliability are what we’re known for. When you join us, these qualities will be what you’re known for, too.

Commercial cleaning is an essential business

Another important factor to consider is the incredible amount of stability involved in purchasing an office cleaning franchise. The cleaning industry isn’t going anywhere. Offices and other commercial buildings will always need to be cleaned and disinfected, and now more than ever before, they’ll need these services to be more frequent and more thorough. But that stability also comes with a few additional bonuses: the cleaning industry also has low initial capital requirements and allows you to keep your overhead low, create recurring and reliable revenue streams, and remain open as an essential business, even when other businesses are being shut down.

Low barriers to entry

Unlike many other startups, there are no licensing fees, patents, heavy machinery, or sprawling factory needed to own and operate an office cleaning franchise. You can hire as many or as few employees as you choose, depending on how much time you personally want to dedicate to your business. There is no formal training or educational requirements. Janitorial expertise and technical skills can be developed through experience rather than costly training programs. This means that you can get started right away, building and growing at your own pace.

You choose your hours of operation

This goes along with office cleaning franchises providing freedom and independence, but it’s worthy of its own explanation. Anyone who already works during traditional business hours, takes classes during the day, or cares for family members knows how difficult it can be to juggle so many different things at once. This career path opens the door to an incredible amount of customization, right down to your hours of operation. You can customize the volume of your services, the scope, the days and times your business operates, and so much more. If you’re working or with your kids during the day, you can operate your office cleaning franchise on weeknights or weekends.

Now, here are a few reasons why you may not want to purchase an office cleaning franchise:

You’re capable of building the business on your own

At Corvus, transparency and honesty are important to us. It wouldn’t be right to issue blanket statements and claim that our office cleaning franchises are right for everyone. We know that for some people, this is not the right choice. If you’re already at a high level in your career or you’ve built successful businesses in the past, you may already know how to perform the functions necessary to run an office cleaning business. You may know how to develop operating systems, handle marketing and brand development, and look forward to completing these tasks rather than skipping over them. If this is true for you, it may not make financial sense for you to purchase a franchise.

You don’t need access to capital or other forms of support

While we exist to help our Franchisees improve their lives and careers, we are also a for-profit company, like all other franchisors. This means that royalties or start-up fees will be owed to Corvus by Franchisees. If you are privy to effective sales and marketing techniques, have access to sufficient capital, have time to oversee your team, and can juggle everything from training and customer service to payroll and performance, it likely won’t make sense for you to be part of a franchise system. Whether you’re starting your own business or purchasing an office cleaning franchise, it’s important to remember that starting a business is inherently risky. Success is never guaranteed. Everything from the economic climate to your own effort and ability will impact the success of your business, no matter what form it takes.

The wrap-up
In our humble opinion, there are more reasons to purchase an office cleaning franchise than there are not to. But we recognize that this is not the right path for everyone. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what the right path is. Consider your goals, strengths, and weaknesses. If you do decide to purchase an office cleaning franchise, our proven process and successful track record give us confidence in our ability to support and help franchisees prosper. Contact us today for more information.

Electrostatic Spraying: A Safe & Easy Step for Your Cleaning Routine

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Electrostatic spraying is a powerful disinfection technique that promotes health and safety in public spaces.

How Does Electrostatic Spraying Work?

Electrostatic spraying has gained a lot of attention as businesses, workplaces, and schools reopen. These large, indoor spaces have several high-touch surface areas that, if improperly cleaned, can induce the transmission of COVID-19. A detailed explanation can be found here, but essentially electrostatic spraying works by applying a positive electric charge to a liquid spray. The liquid spray then passes through a nozzle and sticks to a surface containing a negative electric charge. Most surfaces are negatively charged, so the positively charged particles produced in the electrostatic sprayer will stick to these surfaces. While standard cleaning sprays disinfect the areas that the spray is directly applied to, electrostatic spraying provides complete, 360-degree coverage of the area. It ensures that the disinfectant reaches those hard-to-reach corners and crevices that are often neglected in standard cleaning routines.

Your Facility Needs Electrostatic Spraying

Just as individuals must continue to follow recommended safety actions like wearing a face mask, washing hands frequently, and maintaining a social distance of at least six feet, organizations must take the necessary safety precautions to protect individuals and control the spread of COVID-19. This fall we are seeing more and more businesses reopening their doors to customers, employees returning to workspaces, and students going back to school. Social distance restrictions are being lifted at a state and local level alike, but many people are still nervous about contracting COVID-19 in public spaces. Shopping in stores or eating at restaurants can be avoided, but someone who is an employee or a student might not have the option to work from home or learn remotely. It is crucial that all facilities, whether they are deemed essential or non-essential, keep this in mind as they are operating through these times.

Follow CDC Guidance

We know that when the coronavirus lives on an object or surface, it can take anywhere between a few hours to several days for the virus to die naturally. Traditional cleaning methods, like using soap and water, can decrease how much of a virus is on a surface, but in order to completely kill a germ on a surface, a disinfectant must be applied. Fortunately, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be killed with proper cleaning and disinfection. The cleaning and disinfecting guidelines they published emphasize that both a cleaner and disinfectant must be used to best reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus.

Don’t Just Take Our Word For It…

An electrostatic sprayer is beneficial no matter what the size or scope of your facility might be. Take airlines, for example. This industry was immediately affected by the stay-at-home orders and travel restrictions implemented in response to COVID-19. There are many high-touch surface areas on an aircraft (overhead bins, seats, armrests, tray tables, etc.) that require deep cleaning and disinfection. Major airlines, such as Delta and American Airlines, are using electrostatic sprayers to ensure that the aircraft is sanitized and their passengers’ are safe.

Is Electrostatic Spray Toxic or Dangerous?

There is no need to worry about electrostatic spraying being toxic or dangerous. Electrostatic sprayers require fewer chemicals than standard disinfection techniques. This is due to their vastly higher transfer efficiency – it requires fewer chemicals to properly disinfect, leading to less chemical exposure for both humans as well as the environment. While electrostatic spray technology has only recently been used in the cleaning industry, it is not new by any means. The technology was invented in the 1930s to improve spray disposition and was made popular by the auto industry in the 1940s. Electrostatic spray is completely safe for the person applying it as well as the occupants within the area it is being applied to.

Take the Extra Step

As state and local officials continue to ease social distancing restriction, day-to-day life is becoming seemingly more normal. It is important to understand that the coronavirus is still very much out there, and we must do everything in our power to stop the spread. Corvus Janitorial is offering electrostatic spray services for high-level disinfection that will protect your business and give you peace of mind as you reopen.

Corvus Janitorial Systems

If you are looking for a commercial cleaning company that uses only the highest-quality products and proven techniques, Corvus Janitorial is it. For all of your cleaning, purifying, and disinfecting needs, trust Corvus Janitorial. Contact us today to learn more about how Corvus can help your facility.