Franchise Ownership

Franchisee Spotlight – Olander Belton, Corvus of Greenville-Spartanburg

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June’s Franchisee Spotlight Series features Corvus of Greenville-Spartanburg Franchise Owner Mr. Olander Belton. 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

Mr. Olander Belton, Franchisee of Corvus of Greenville-Spartanburg, is truly an outstanding business owner. Starting in January 2019, Soon after starting in January 2019, Mr. Belton has steadily grown into what the local Corvus Team refers to as “a model Franchisee”. He has been determined to make his business flourish!

Not only has his business grown incredibly fast; Olander is hard of hearing but doesn’t let that hold him back from being a fantastic Corvus Partner. However, it’s not just Mr. Belton himself who is hard of hearing – so is his entire crew of five janitorial employees. He’s committed to helping empower others with similar experiences obtain fulfilling jobs.

For Olander, this franchise started out as a side business, but a year ago he was able to move on to managing his business full time. He’s been so successful that he was able to put money into buying two vans solely for work purposes.

All of Mr. Belton’s customers love him. He is noted to be a great communicator and takes care to make sure his customers are happy. Olander is always willing to lend a helping hand when the Corvus Team asks. If another Franchisee is going to miss a clean, Olander is always open to subbing in for them when possible.

There is absolutely no doubt that Mr. Belton Makes Lives Better in his community, for his employees, and for his clients. His commitment to excellence and his powerful story inspires all of us here at Corvus. We are so excited that Mr. Olander Belton is a Corvus Partner, and we are looking forward to his future successes!

4 Habits That Will Make You a Successful Corvus Janitorial Franchisee

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More than 1.7 million people currently work in the commercial cleaning industry, which is forecast to grow 6% annually due to increased demand. Employers understand a clean, healthy work environment is good for employees’ mental and physical health. There has also been an increased emphasis on professional cleaning methods capable of destroying viruses that cause diseases like the flu or Covid-19.

The growing need for cleaning professionals makes this an ideal time to start a janitorial franchise. While the industry provides an excellent opportunity to begin and grow a profitable business, it is essential that franchisees develop essential habits common to all successful business owners.

1. Bring Passion to Your Work

Mark Twain once said, “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” If you like the idea of doing the work involved in owning a janitorial franchise, you are far more likely to succeed. 

Love the Job and Thrive

Per U.S. News and World Report, doing what you love is energizing, which creates a positive circle that feeds on itself. Work gives you energy, so you have more energy to put into your business. There’s no need to dig deep to find energy each day, and you don’t leave work tired and mentally drained.

Keep a Positive Attitude

Any business will have ups and downs even when you like what you do. Successful entrepreneurs ride out tough times with a positive mental attitude. They view challenges as opportunities and are always ready to roll up their sleeves and begin a new task.

Clean Like It’s Your Home

It’s essential to be personally invested in every job you take. No matter what type of space you are working on, approach it as if you are cleaning your home.

Set and Track Goals

Choose a franchise opportunity with a positive goal in mind and then continually set and alter goals as required. Goal setting ensures your business goes in your intended direction and allows you to track progress. It’s crucial to continually review plans to meet the changing needs of clients and the market.

2. Hire and Retain the Best Employees 

A company’s staff is one of its most valuable assets. Employees impact customer relationships and determine your level of success.

Hire the Best and Provide Ongoing Training

Strike a balance between competency and company culture. Take the time and effort to hire people who best fit the franchise. Avoid hiring a competent worker who doesn’t mesh with your franchise’s values and philosophy.

Create a Positive Work Culture 

Employees who like going to work perform better, according to workforce publication Slack. Creating a positive culture is vital and doable. 

For example, avoid playing favorites and don’t micromanage. Treat everyone with respect. Check in regularly with workers. Ensure an open information flow, keeping in mind that it’s better to communicate too much than too little. Encourage collaboration and respect among employees.

Consider working with employees to create the schedule and keep them in the loop regarding promotions and other changes. Encourage staff members to tell you what is working and what is not. Try to make their jobs more interesting by rotating workers from routine tasks to more challenging projects.

Reward Achievement

Because employees are critical to your success, it’s critical that you find ways to make them want to do their best. Ensure workers are well-trained for their roles and have opportunities to learn more. Give bonuses and incentives for top performance and provide perks like allowing the staff to use company equipment in their homes.

3. Keep Up with the Industry

Per Entrepreneur, successful business owners continue to learn and ensure workers have a chance to increase their knowledge.

Advancing technology impacts the equipment you need. It affects safety issues surrounding chemicals used in cleaning. There are always plenty of opportunities to learn new management and organizational skills. Arranging for employee training classes tells workers they matter and ensures they have the skills they need as the industry changes. 

Take the time to read industry publications and attend meetings and conventions. Join and get involved in trade organizations and ask suppliers to keep you updated.

4. Provide High-Quality Customer Service

Successful franchise owners know how to keep customers happy. That means offering the best service, nurturing relationships, and listening to clients’ opinions.

Use Green Products

While cleaning properly is crucial, it’s also vital to ensure it’s done using safe cleaning products and processes. Studies show that 46% of customers prefer cleaning companies that offer environmentally friendly products. A green initiative appeals to consumers’ increasingly eco-conscious awareness and helps ensure your employees stay healthy while working.

Build Customer Relationships

According to research, after just one negative experience, more than half (61%) of customers say they would move to a competitor, with this number rising to 76% in the case of multiple negative experiences. Successful business owners strive to retain current customers and do what it takes to keep them happy. Finding new clients is far more expensive than saving them, and existing customers spend more on your services.

Keep customers happy by providing exceptional service. It’s great to finish on time but ensure that workers never rush to the point they get careless. Customers typically understand that accidents happen, but it’s best not to depend on that. The cost of lost goodwill on top of paying for damages can get prohibitive.

Implement a Customer Feedback Program

Customer feedback is vital to keep a franchise growing. Feedback will help you guide the business in decision-making. It will influence changes in products and services 

Successful franchisees get feedback from sources such as their website, emails, and surveys. You need feedback to provide necessary insights that let you know where or how to improve. It’s an essential part of good customer service, which leaves a positive impression and encourages clients to return.

It’s crucial to respond to customer comments. Responding to every comment builds a strong customer relationship and clients know you care about their experiences with your business. Quick responses to reviews also help your business reputation and boost SEO.

Starting a Corvus Janitorial Systems franchise provides an excellent framework to implement these four habits for success. If you are ready to start a successful janitorial franchise, contact us today.

Franchisee Spotlight – Ricky Watson, Corvus of Cincinnati

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May’s Franchisee Spotlight Series features Corvus of Cincinnati Franchise Owner Mr. Ricky Watson. 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

Mr. Ricky Watson, Franchisee of Corvus of Cincinnati, is one of the market’s biggest success stories. In June 2007, Ricky started his franchise with Corvus. Looking at his business now, you wouldn’t guess that he struggled a bit in the beginning. Now, almost 15 years later, Mr. Watson is a Corvus Super Star!

For Ricky, his franchise started out as a side hustle. Once he got over the initial struggles he faced, his business took off. He started to grow quickly and soon had to hire a few employees to keep on top of his accounts! Eventually, Mr. Watson turned his side hustle into a full-time job. His wife joined in and started helping him with his business and they are both now fully involved in running it. Now Ricky has an incredible team and many happy customers- and he’s still growing his franchise.

Not only is Ricky Watson very successful himself, but he’s also been a great help to other Franchisees. When new Franchise Owners were starting up their franchises, Mr. Watson was there to help train them and get over some of those starting hurdles. Many other Franchisees and the Cincinnati Corvus Team have formed close friendships with Ricky because of his “Team Player” attitude. He’s always willing to lend a hand to those who need it!

Thank you, Mr. Watson, for embodying Corvus’ mission to Make Lives Better and for your decade-and-a-half partnership with Corvus…we couldn’t do it without standout franchise owners like yourself, and we look forward to many more years of partnership!

Franchisee Spotlight – Adrian West & Darren Starks, Corvus of St. Louis

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April’s Franchisee Spotlight Series features Corvus of St. Louis Franchise Owners Adrian West and Darren Starks. Read on to learn more about the standout Franchisees 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

Mr. Adrian West and Mr. Darren Starks, Franchisees of Corvus of St. Louis, are an outstanding duo. The remarkable teammates have been best friends for a long time, and they even grew up together! From best friends to business partners, Adrian and Darren have become superstars in the janitorial industry.

Mr. West and Mr. Starks started their franchise as a side venture while also working full-time jobs, but eventually, their successes have allowed them to quit those jobs to focus on their business full time. They managed to go from complete novices to elite janitorial business owners! Because of their dedication to high-quality cleaning, they have been able to rapidly grow. According to the St. Louis Team, they have grown their business four times in the last year alone.

After close to two years, they have massively increased both the amount of customers they service as well as the amount of people they employ. Currently, this dynamic duo has an elite team of more than twenty employees! It has been noted that not only do they manage all of their workers, but they have high standards and are skilled at finding great employees.

Mr. West and Mr. Starks exemplify Corvus’ mission to Make Lives Better through their hard work, determination, and dedication to both their clients and employees. The Corvus of St. Louis team, and the Corvus System at-large, thank these partners for all their hard work. At the rate they’re going, we can’t wait to see how much they will continue to grow in the years to come!

Franchisee Spotlight – Janise Ventris, Corvus of New Orleans

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March’s Franchisee Spotlight Series features Corvus of New Orleans Franchise Owner Ms. Janise Ventris. 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

janise ventrise and kett lobrano standing together

Ms. Janise Ventris, Franchisee of Corvus of New Orleans, is one of the most up and coming Franchisees in her area. She opened her business in January 2021, and in only six short months, she has earned herself the Franchisee of the Month award.

As a very ambitious businesswoman Janise is always willing to take on new accounts. Ms. Ventris cares about each customer that she services, and all of them take notice. The quality of her work is undeniable – she truly goes above and beyond for her customers. Her cleaning performance is highly noted, and all her inspections are either perfect or nearly there.

Ms. Ventris is also an excellent communicator. She is quick to respond to any requests by customers with humbleness and respect and she is eager to make sure that any problems are swiftly resolved. Her bottom line is that she wants all of her customers to be happy that they chose Corvus.

Most impressively, all of her great work is done all on her own! Without a crew to back her up, her work ethic and excellent inspection scores are even more impressive. Sometimes we can’t believe that she’s a “one woman show”! We are excited to see our business partner thriving and look forward to her continued success and growth.

Franchisee Spotlight – Tony Russell, Corvus of Denver

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February’s Franchisee Spotlight Series features Corvus of Denver Franchise Owner Tony Russell. 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

Mr. Tony Russell started his entrepreneurial journey with Corvus of Denver in February of 2018. While his cleaning franchise is not the only business Mr. Russell runs, he has created great success and is a valued Corvus partner.

Tony Russell’s strategy is to take small accounts in the same area and take his time to grow his business. To retain accounts, he focuses on keeping customers happy. It’s rare that Mr. Russell receives a complaint, but if he does, he is sure to respond professionally and correct it quickly. He also stays organized and files all of his paperwork, allowing himself more time to provide the best customer experience possible.

According to Regional Director Michael Kerby, “Mr. Russell is always ready to help with extra work or cover an account. He has taken several floor-work classes with Corvus so that he can take on extra work jobs”.

As a Franchise Owner who is willing to continue to learn, prioritize his customers and who has a solid partnership with Corvus, it’s no doubt that Mr. Tony Russell will continue to see success in his business. Thank you for everything you do, Mr. Russell!