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Franchisee Spotlight – Tara Amuimuia, Corvus of Little Rock

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July’s Franchisee Spotlight Series features Corvus of Little Rock Franchise Owner Tara Amuimuia. 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

Corvus of Little Rock Franchise Owner Tara Amuimuia opened her Corvus Franchise in September 2019. After hearing about Corvus through a Franchise Owner who cleaned the criminal justice facility she was working at during the time, Mrs. Amuimuia inquired about franchising opportunities herself. In just six months, the standout Franchisee left this job to operate her Corvus Franchise full-time.

Mrs. Amuimuia’s friendly personality and strong communication skills certainly contribute to her quick success. Every month, she emails her customers to check-in and see if they are satisfied with their cleaning services. “Her main goal is to do a great job and please the customer,” says Director of Operations Shayna Hula.

An example of a time Mrs. Amuimuia went above and beyond to ensure her customers were happy occurred after making a mistake. She received a complaint from a customer, and after going back to the account to check her work, she realized that she had been distracted and missed some things. Mrs. Amuimuia cleaned more than she was required to and left a hand-written note apologizing to the customer to make up for this. With a positive attitude and work ethic like this, it is no wonder why customers speak so highly of her!

When Mrs. Amuimuia is not busy running her cleaning franchise, you will likely find her cooking Italian and Asian fusion, hanging out at the beach, or spending time with her two sons.

Thank you, Mrs. Amuimuia, for being such an outstanding partner to Corvus. We are so grateful for all that you do and look forward to watching your continued success!

Mold vs. Mildew

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Mold and mildew are often referred to together as if they are interchangeable. However, mold and mildew are two species of fungus that pose different threats. If your environment is affected by mold or mildew, understanding their differences will enable you to take the proper course of action.

Mold and Mildew: Defined

Mold and mildew are both fungi that grow in moist, confined spaces. Both strains form in a wide variety of environments and quickly spread to various locations by releasing microscopic spores into the air, searching for the right conditions.

Mold is the result of larger infestations and can take on a variety of appearances. When it grows on any substance, these fungi develop in the form of filaments that look like little hair, called hyphae. The color of mold can vary depending on where it is growing. Hence, a green mold can often appear as black, orange, pink, or even purple. If untreated, mold poses serious health hazards that can result in prolonged damage. Some strains of mold are toxic, making it all the more important to take immediate action when an infestation occurs.

Mildew is a type of mold defined at its earliest stage. It grows on top of surfaces and, when identified, is easy to control. It appears white or grey in the early stages but can eventually turn brown and is shaped like small, flat dots. Mildew is common in bathrooms, particularly on shower walls. Other common areas include washing machines and damp basements.

Effects of Mold and Mildew on Human Health

Both mold and mildew present a serious threat to our health and wellbeing. They release spores, which humans then inhale.
Exposure to such toxic air can cause headaches, nausea, nasal congestion, itchy and irritated eyes, and more. Although molds and mildews do not attack people directly, their spores are allergens, making those with asthma and weak immune systems especially vulnerable.

How to Eliminate Mold and Mildew from Your Home

Completely removing mold and mildew is the most effective approach to protect health and prevent permanent damage in homes as soon as it’s identified.

Before you begin, ensure you have the following tools: a mask, goggles, gloves, a good cleaning product, a spray bottle, and a few sponges. Masks will protect you from breathing in spores, and goggles will ensure they do not get into your eyes.

Bleach, water, white vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide are everyday household items you can use to remove mold and mildew effectively. Create a solution of one part bleach to three parts water in your spray bottle. Apply the solution to the affected area and allow it to dwell between 10-20 minutes. Then, remove the mold or mildew using your scrubbing brush. Repeat this process as you find it necessary. Once removed, create a mixture of half white vinegar and half hydrogen peroxide in a separate spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the cleaned area and let it air dry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the easiest way to distinguish between mold and mildew is by how they look. Mold is darker and often fuzzy. Mildew has lighter hues, is always flat, and appears as small dots. Keeping your space clean, increasing ventilation by opening windows or installing fans, and using dehumidifiers are some measures one can take to prevent mold and mildew from forming in the first place. If the issue becomes too much to bear, consider hiring professional cleaners to handle it. The cleaning crews at Corvus Janitorial Systems are highly-trained professionals committed to giving your workspace the high-quality service it deserves. More information on the commercial cleaning services we provide can be found right here.

How to Remove Hard Water Buildup and Stains

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You can have the highest quality showers and glasses, and it still would not matter; hard water stains are going to accumulate. If you live in areas containing high levels of magnesium, lime, and calcium in water supplies, hard water buildup and stains are likely to always be an issue.

Hard water is water containing high contents of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. It affects the appearance and overall cleanliness of everyday appliances such as coffee machines, glasses, showers, and sinks.

Removing hard water buildup can be a very frustrating experience, especially when done incorrectly. You can scrub for several minutes, and then, when you rinse, those stubborn marks remain. Here, Corvus Janitorial Systems provides techniques for eliminating hard water buildup and stains to restore the sparkling shine of your sink, tub, shower, faucet, and other fixtures.

Vinegar

A simple way to remove hard water buildup in your home is to use vinegar. Vinegar is a versatile and safe cleaner that can effectively remove stains from showers, toilets, glasses, faucets, chrome fixtures, showerheads, and more. White vinegar, cleaning vinegar, and apple cider vinegar are all viable options.

Create this cleaning solution by pouring equal proportions of vinegar and water into a clean spray bottle. It is safe to use anywhere in your home except for hardwood surfaces. Apply on any surface hard water stains exist and, contingent upon the amount of buildup that exists, let the mixture dwell between five and fifteen minutes. Scrub off the vinegar using an old toothbrush or bristle brush and wipe the surface clean with a wet cloth.

Tougher Hard Water Stains

Tough hard water stains may require extra scrubbing power. In such a case, consider using a higher proportion of vinegar in your vinegar-to-water mixture. You can also use vinegar on its own as it is more acidic and thus effective against hard water stains. Allow the mixture to dwell on the stained surface for thirty minutes before scrubbing and wiping off.
Another method to consider is adding baking soda to a vinegar and water mixture. Combine vinegar, water, and baking soda into a small bowl and apply to the stained surface. Allow the mixture to dwell for ten minutes.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is another common household product used to remove hard water stains on bathtubs, faucets, and other metal fixtures. Pour an ample amount of hydrogen peroxide on the stain until it is covered, and allow it to dwell for 30 minutes before scrubbing away using a sponge and dish soap.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste is an effective cleaning method, especially for hard water stains that are small but stubborn. Any generic toothpaste and toothbrush will work to buff away small metal fixtures, dishware, and glass. Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste onto the toothbrush and apply where necessary. Rinse the toothpaste with a clean, wet cloth.

Specialist Products

Several over-the-counter cleaning products, specifically designed for hard water stain removal, can be purchased at instore or online retailers like Walmart and Amazon. Use these products to quickly eliminate the stains on stainless steel, dishware, countertops, bathtubs, showers, glasses, toilets, windows, sinks, and more.

Get Professional Help

If hard water buildup is affecting your workspace, consider hiring cleaning professionals to help. Corvus Janitorial Systems’ cleaning crews are highly-trained professionals committed to giving your office the high-quality clean it deserves. With convenient and flexible hours, unique cleaning and disinfecting plans, and customized services, you will find just what you need right here.

5 Signs it’s Time to Scale Your Cleaning Business

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Just like many other cleaning business owners out there, you want to grow, make more sales, attract more customers, and gain more profits, right? We all desire to be in a position where we will see our cleaning business grow exponentially, but how does a regular business owner know when the time is right to scale up? Sometimes, scaling can be very risky; if you expand too fast or before you’re ready, you can easily over-extend your resources and get into an unprofitable position. On the other hand, if you scale at the right time, your revenue will go up by leaps and bounds.

So, before you go ahead and take that healthy dose of risk by hiring more staff or increasing your business expenditure, you need to be sure that your business is fully ready to grow. If growth is important to you, read on to learn about the 5 key signs you need to watch out for to know when the time is right to scale your cleaning business.

1. You Have a Large Number of Loyal and Repeat Customers That Stick Around

Returning customers are at the heart of any profitable cleaning business – they are the people that have helped you build profits over the years. Excellent customer service equals happy-repeat customers, and happy, returning customers make a thriving business. Having a strong customer base in your janitorial brand is an indication that business is good and worth expanding. Scaling up will help you acquire new customers and give more attention to your loyal clients.

Often, your repeat customers will also bring a steady stream of new leads to your business. In any business, referrals have a higher conversion rate than any other type of lead, so they’re a great sign that you’re ready to grow and scale up.

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2. You Can Barely Keep Up With Demand

Customer demand is a driving force for sales in any cleaning business. Failure to have adequate inventory, personnel, and resources to meet the constant demand of your customers is a major sign that it’s time to scale your business. When clients seek out your competitors or other janitorial service providers to meet their demands, you will lose sales and miss out on profit opportunities.

If you have reached the point where you have more work than you can handle for weeks or months and frequently turn away customers, you are ready to scale, especially if your current time management is top-notch. Also, before you scale your business, wait for some months to be sure that the surge in demand you are experiencing is not a temporary one that is unsustainable.

3. You Have Been Profitable Over a Long Period of Time

You are making enough money and there’s money in the bank! Another great sign that you need to start considering scaling up your cleaning company is the fact that you have enjoyed sustained profitability for a while. If the overall financial health of your business has been remarkable for about two or three years and you have been able to sufficiently cover your expenses, you’re probably in a strong position to build on that success.

Sustaining your profitability for a while means that a lot of things about your current business model are working, and you should be able to take that model to the next level on a larger scale. There’s a high chance that something that’s already working for your business will continue to work even if you expand. However, you must be cautious not to scale too quickly.

4. Consistently Exceeding Your Revenue Targets

A business with a steady but stagnant income may not be ready for a rapid, full-scale expansion. If your cleaning business has consistently surpassed its revenue targets quarter after quarter, it’s probably time to consider an expansion. If your company can easily meet or exceed financial objectives and reach significant business milestones way ahead of schedule, then it’s fine to start speeding up your expansion plans and growth efforts. On the flip side, if your business falls short of these standards, it’s probably wise to postpone your plans to scale up.

Also, it’s important to know that a few weeks of making big profits or getting a high-paying customer isn’t enough for a business to start making expansion plans. Before you lease more equipment, buy new scrubbers, or hire additional staff, you need to slow down to measure your sales activities and evaluate your revenue goals to ensure your cleaning business is truly ready for expansion.

5. The Market Is Growing

The ability to identify a growing market is important in the cleaning industry. Having a big cleaning business doesn’t matter if there’s no demand for your service. Before you think about expansion, sit back and take a critical look at the janitorial industry landscape in your area. You should only think about scaling up if the size of the market in your location has consistently grown and will continue to grow at an increasing rate. You also need to be sure that your customer base will increase on a regular basis in the coming years.

Little or no competition and a large, relatively untapped customer base will greatly increase the odds of successfully growing your business in your current location. On the other hand, if competition is growing and your customer base is shrinking, it’s time to adjust to your sales strategy instead of trying to expand your business.

Do You Think You Are Ready to Go All In and Expand Your Cleaning Business?

Scaling a cleaning business can be a risky undertaking and shouldn’t be attempted lightly. Going into it unprepared or with great uncertainty is a recipe for disaster. The best way to minimize your risk is to focus on expansion only when the signs point to success and you are completely invested in seeing it happen.

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However, if you have a great team that communicates well with each other and can be trusted to effectively handle any problem that comes their way, you can start thinking about scaling up your business. You also need a sustainable revenue model and a clearly outlined plan for growth to scale confidently.

Scale Your Cleaning Business with Corvus

If you own a commercial cleaning business that you are having trouble scaling, a Corvus Franchise might be a great fit for you. At Corvus, our time-tested system, nationally recognized brand, and dedicated teammates will help you achieve your growth initiatives. From training to marketing to sales to collections and beyond, Corvus will take care of the grunt work so you can focus on the cleaning! We have helped thousands of individuals across the U.S. scale their cleaning businesses – you could be next. Learn more about franchising with Corvus here.