Franchise Ownership

Franchisee Spotlight – Jaime Barboza, Corvus of Northwest Arkansas

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January’s Franchisee Spotlight Series features Corvus of Northwest Arkansas Franchise Owner Mr. Jaime Barboza. 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. Jaime Barboza started his Corvus franchise in 2018, since then it has become a family affair with his wife and two children working with him. Mr. Barboza and his wife, Maria, initially started their business to make extra money to support their family, but in the four years since establishing their franchise, the team has become one of the top grossing Franchises in the Corvus of Northwest Arkansas market.

“Jaime has intentionally grown his business slowly and sustainably while executing on every level. From maintaining strong customer relationships to providing a high level of service, Jaime focuses on doing good business,” said Mr. Aaron Cambou, Regional Director of Corvus of Northwest Arkansas.

Jaime started off with smaller accounts but has increased his capacity and now specializes in servicing large accounts like car dealerships. Issues rarely arise, but if they do, they are addressed quickly and Jaime follows through to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Mr. Cambou describes Mr. Barboza as tenacious, well-coordinated, and a wonderful communicator – all necessary qualities of a strong business owner.

The Corvus team is happy to often see the whole family stop in on Revenue Days, though at times Mr. Barboza can’t make it because he is still maintaining a full-time day job. Mr. Barboza and his family are hardworking and dedicated Franchise Owners who Corvus is proud to partner with. Thank you, Barboza family!

Franchisee Spotlight – Sherry Gallon, Corvus of Little Rock

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December’s Franchisee Spotlight Series features Corvus of Little Rock Franchise Owner Ms. Sherry Gallon. 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

As a Franchise Owner for the last ten years, Ms. Sherry Gallon of Corvus of Little Rock works full-time in her business and is still expanding and taking on new accounts. Her motivation to run her own business started with wanting to have the freedom to spend more time with her kids and grandkids, which she now has the flexibility to do.

The biggest focus Sherry has in her business is building relationships with her customers and making sure they are happy with her service. If Ms. Gallon has any concerns from customers, she always tries to meet them in person to have direct communication and address the issues quickly. While she prioritizes meeting with the customer or Corvus in person as much as possible, Sherry likes to reserve Friday’s for her grandkids.

Ms. Shayna Hula, Regional Director of Corvus of Little Rock, says Ms. Gallon “is a hard worker with a positive attitude and always has a smile on her face.” It’s clear that Ms. Gallon takes pride in the work she does and takes ownership of her business. If an employee is not meeting the cleaning expectations, Ms. Gallon will take over the account to ensure the highest level of service is provided. With her dedication and customer service skills, we have no doubts Sherry Gallon will continue to be a successful Franchise Owner for many years to come!

Franchisee Spotlight – Marcus Breedlove, Corvus of Nashville

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November’s Franchisee Spotlight Series features Corvus of Nashville Franchise Owner Mr. Marcus Breedlove. 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 is excited to spotlight Mr. Marcus Breedlove, Corvus of Nashville’s first Franchise Owner. This October was Mr. Breedlove’s second business anniversary and he has much to celebrate.

As with starting any new business, Mr. Breedlove faced a few challenges, including difficult accounts and hiring reliable employees, but he remained committed to supporting his family with his franchise. Marcus has since grown his business to 11 accounts and is now running his franchise full time with several employees and is ready to hire more.

Marcus has worked to build a relationship with Mr. Jonathan Frias, Regional Director, even inviting him to family functions to meet his wife and kids. Through this partnership, Marcus has remained open to coaching and learning, a common attribute of a successful business owner. Following Jonathan’s advice of taking one step at a time, Mr. Breedlove has stayed focused, worked hard, and continues to grow. Corvus is proud to have Marcus as a business partner and to watch as he continues to expand his franchise!

How Important is Your Credit Score if You Want to Buy a Franchise?

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Aspiring entrepreneurs have numerous opportunities at their disposal these days. At this point, almost any dream can be transformed into a reality. No matter which products or services a person wants to provide to the public, there’s bound to be a market for it. On top of that, today’s entrepreneurs have found that there’s a variety of routes to success.

Taking the Franchise Route

Owning a business doesn’t necessarily mean having to start from scratch. Buying a franchise allows ambitious individuals to benefit from the success of an already-established company. It’s often an easier, less intimidating solution than the traditional route, especially when becoming part of a company that offers in-demand solutions like a janitorial services franchise, such as that offered by Corvus Janitorial Systems. Purchasing a franchise can be more affordable than building a business from the ground up as well. 

That’s not to say becoming a franchisee doesn’t come with a few challenges of its own, though. With so many options available, choosing the right franchise may be difficult. Securing financing may be a hurdle as well.

To make matters a bit more tedious, credit scores tend to factor into the equation when applying for business loans. These figures carry quite a bit of weight in the lending world even when purchasing a franchise. Though credit scores may not be the sole deciding factor when determining eligibility for a business loan or financing, they can simplify or complicate the situation.

Taking a Closer Look at Credit Scores

Chances are virtually anyone who has considered applying for any type of loan or financing has heard of a credit score. Without at least adequate credit, it’s exceedingly difficult to qualify for a mortgage, auto loan, credit card, or even a small store credit account. Having less-than-acceptable credit scores can render people ineligible to rent a home. Many employers even factor credit scores into job candidates’ qualifications.

What Are Credit Scores?

In short, credit scores are numbers assigned to people based on their purchasing and repayment histories among other factors, which we’ll delve deeper into shortly. In the United States, credit scores come from three main credit reporting agencies: TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. Creditors report debtors’ activities to those agencies, and those activities are used to calculate debtors’ scores.

Since not all creditors report to all three agencies, people’s credit scores can easily vary from one to the next. Some lenders choose a single agency to follow when checking prospects’ credit histories. Others consider information from two of the three or all of them.

When factoring in credit scores from more than one reporting agency, lenders may base their eligibility determinations on an applicant’s average score. On the other hand, they may look at different determining factors from each agency before making their final decisions. As such, a potential borrower may appear to have a decent credit score from one reporting agency but still be denied a loan because of his or her status with another.

How Are Credit Scores Calculated?

As alluded to earlier, credit scores are made up of various components. All those aspects come together to give lenders a good idea of how well an applicant manages his or her finances and how likely that applicant is to repay a loan. Take a look at the five components of all credit scores. 

New Credit Accounts

One of the elements that makes up a credit score is the number of new credit accounts a person has. Having recently opened several new credit accounts can hamper a person’s borrowing power. Numerous recent credit inquiries can have the same effect. Lenders may view either of these factors as an added risk. Recent credit activity makes up 10 percent of a person’s credit score.

Credit Diversity

Lenders likewise consider the diversity of applicants’ credit. This also accounts for 10 percent of a person’s total score. Those who have a nice blend of account types are often viewed as a bit more creditworthy than those with only a single type of credit.

Say, for example, two applicants have the same credit score. One currently has an open installment loan, a mortgage, and a credit card on his or her credit report. The other has three credit cards. Despite having the same score, the former may be considered a more suitable borrower because of his or her borrowing diversity.

Length of Borrowing History

Next on the list is the length of a person’s borrowing history. After all, longer stories tend to include more details. Because of that, those with longer, more established credit histories may be more attractive to lenders than those who have only recently begun to borrow. This aspect comprises 15 percent of a person’s credit score. 

Amount of Money Owed

Credit scores also factor in the amount of money people currently owe on various accounts. This aspect encompasses the types of open credit accounts consumers currently have, their remaining balances, and the total amount of money owed on those debts. It also factors in the remaining amount of available credit a person may have. The amount of money owed to creditors accounts for 30 percent of a person’s credit score.

Payment History

Payment history is the most significant deciding factor when it comes to determining loan eligibility. This, alone, makes up 35 percent of a credit score. It revolves around a person’s track record of making payments on time and paying off loans in a timely manner. Late payments, delinquent accounts, and other negatives factor in here.

If a person has a habit of making payments late or allowing accounts to get so far behind they can’t be resolved, his or her credit score will drop. Bankruptcy and other financial issues have negative impacts on credit scores as well. If those problems appear on applicants’ credit reports, lenders may view them as unnecessarily risky and deem them ineligible for a loan.

How Do Credit Scores Affect Purchasing a Franchise?

Having said all that, it’s time to discuss how credit scores can affect a person’s ability to purchase a franchise. As far as many lenders are concerned, anything less than a good credit score may render an applicant ineligible for a loan. In terms of Experian, a credit score of 700 or more is good. With Equifax, the “good” range spans from 670 to 739. 

Those who are looking to purchase a franchise may not have to go through conventional lenders to acquire a business loan. In some cases, franchisors extend financing options to potential franchisees. They may also have their own networks of lenders to facilitate the purchasing process for applicants. Still, they pay close attention to prospects’ credit scores. Some place more emphasis on them than others, but they inevitably come into play. Corvus Janitorial Systems takes pride in offering robust financial assistance to potential franchisees and aims to make the process as easy as possible. We look at many factors in addition to your credit score.

Possible Complications Caused by Low Credit Scores

Having a low credit score doesn’t always mean all hope is lost. Some franchisors are willing to work with applicants and give them opportunities to succeed even if they don’t have strong borrowing histories. That’s also true of lenders. In fact, some lenders specialize in providing loans for people with bad credit. People whose credit has suffered in the past may face a few extra hurdles when applying for business loans or franchisor financing, though.

Needing a Business Plan

Lenders that dole out business loans typically require applicants to present well-thought-out business plans. Having a presentable plan shows lenders where their money will go. It also gives them a bit of reassurance that their borrowers have a clear sense of direction. 

From the franchisor’s perspective, a business plan that shows an applicant has already secured at least partial funding may serve as proof that the prospect deserves due consideration. In either case, a concrete plan could provide the extra incentive a lender needs to allow an applicant to proceed with purchasing a franchise. Once again, at Corvus, we have developed a system to offer easy financing and make the franchise purchase process as accessible as possible,

Paying Higher Interest Rates

Additionally, having a low credit score could subject a franchisee to higher-than-average interest rates on a business loan. Higher interest rates lead to higher monthly payments. They also leave borrowers paying far more in the long run. That could lead to financial hardships, especially in the beginning. It’ll most certainly eat into a business owner’s profits moving forward.

Resolving a Low Credit Score

Having a low credit score doesn’t necessarily mean a hopeful entrepreneur won’t be able to purchase a franchise. It could bring about a few problems and make the situation more difficult than it needs to be, though. With that in mind, those who want to purchase a franchise but are suffering from less-than-stellar credit may want to take a few extra measures before applying for a loan or franchisor financing.

Start off by requesting a credit report so there won’t be any unpleasant surprises after applying for funding. Be sure to address any errors on the credit report by contacting the reporting agency. Take care to make monthly payments on existing debts on time and avoid opening any new lines of credit. Consider paying down some larger debts before applying for financing for a more suitable debt-to-income ratio.

All Things Considered

In most cases, having a good credit score is the key to acquiring a business loan for purchasing a franchise. Even franchisors that offer financing take applicants’ credit scores into account. Having a credit score that doesn’t measure up to the usual standards doesn’t necessarily disqualify a candidate from becoming a franchisee, though. Some franchises, like Corvus Janitorial, make accessibility and financial assistance easy for potential franchisees.

Applicants who have lower credit scores may still be able to acquire funding. Doing so may require taking extra measures to raise those credit scores. Creating a detailed business plan may facilitate the process as well. Even then, lofty interest rates could be an issue. While credit scores aren’t the be-all and end-all when purchasing a franchise, they certainly factor into the equation.

For more information about starting a Corvus Janitorial Systems franchise, contact us today.

Women and Franchising: How a Janitorial Franchise Could Be Your Ticket to Independence

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Before the pandemic, the number of female business owners was growing at an unprecedented rate, with a 45% increase from 2007 to 2016 compared to a 9% increase among all businesses. That’s an impressive five times the national average, although it’s worth noting that as of 2022, only 31% of small businesses and franchises are owned and run by women.

The coronavirus pandemic undeniably created some setbacks for women in the business world. Women were statistically more likely to have been furloughed or had to change careers as a result of the pandemic’s economic fallout, and at that time, around a quarter of all women were considering downshifting their careers. Thankfully, though, life has begun to return to normal, and women are returning to the workforce in droves. 

The problem is that despite the ongoing shift in many industries towards female workforces, women still don’t have an equal chance when it comes to corporate leadership. The glass ceiling is still firmly in place in most companies, and the gender pay gap persists across all management levels.

If you’re sick of working long hours for less pay with fewer opportunities for advancement, you’ve come to the right place. Owning a janitorial services franchise, such as a Corvus Janitorial Systems franchise, offers a way out for women who are tired of dealing constantly with corporate America’s ongoing gender inequality problem. You can find out how below.

The Future of Franchising Is Female

Let’s start at the beginning. A franchise is a type of business license. It grants you, the franchisee, access to another business, the franchisor’s knowledge, processes, and trademarks so that you can provide services or sell products under a known and trusted business name. To acquire a franchise, all you need to do is pay for licensing and give the franchisor an initial start-up fee. 

According to the International Franchise Association, women owned just 8.5% of all franchises in 1995. Now, that number has grown to 31%, and there is no indication that it will plateau. There are currently more women looking for information about how to purchase a franchise than men, especially among the younger generations.

Why Women Make Fantastic Franchise Owners

Have you ever stopped to think about the amount of unpaid labor you provide in the home? From cooking and cleaning to childcare, the chances are good that it’s a lot. On average, women spend almost four and a half hours on unpaid labor, which is more than many people spend each week at part-time jobs.

There are few bright sides to the extremity of the gender gap in unpaid caregiving and home maintenance, especially if you’re still working a full-time, 9-5 job for 17% less pay than your male counterparts. Thankfully, though, women tend to be more adaptable than men and better at both multi-tasking and quick thinking. After all, you have to be able to handle everything on the average American woman’s plate. 

In many families, women keep their homes organized. They keep track of all kinds of details, from grocery lists to home finances and personal schedules, and communicate all of that information effectively to the entire family so that everyone is on the same page. If there’s one thing all of these varied skills have in common, it’s that they are fantastic qualities in a business owner.

These observations may sound anecdotal, but they’re backed up by research. In 2012, researchers evaluated 7,200 surveys tracing the judgment of different leaders’ peers, bosses, and reports. Participants rated leaders’ overall effectiveness and strength over 16 competencies. Women were rated higher in 12 of those 16 core business competencies, including in traits that have historically been considered male strengths, such as taking initiative and pushing to get results.

The Unique Benefits of the Franchise Business Model

If you finished reading through those last few paragraphs and feel empowered, that’s good. You should. Now, it’s time to talk about why you should take all the skills you’ve developed both at home and in the corporate world and put them to a different kind of use. It’s time to discuss the unique benefits of the franchise business model for modern women.

Create Your Own Opportunities

When women start working at corporate offices, they’re almost always told that there will be plenty of opportunities for advancement. While that may be true for lower- to middle-management positions, CEOs and other higher-ups are still overwhelmingly male, and women are rarely offered the level of mentorship and help with advancement extended to their male colleagues.

As a result of these and other factors, men outnumber women at the CEO level by around 17:1. While it’s perfectly understandable to be upset about these statistics and laudable to put in the work to change them, it’s also undeniable that women with an entrepreneurial spirit will have a better chance of success creating their own opportunities by opening franchises.

Greater Freedom and Flexibility

Office jobs don’t tend to offer much flexibility. Even companies that have made the switch to offering remote work to some of their employees some of the time still place exacting demands on workers and expect them to build their lives around their jobs. This applies to men as well as women, but because women take on the bulk of unpaid household labor, they suffer more as a result.

Purchasing a franchise offers women an opportunity to take control of their careers and levels of work-life balance. Instead of building their lives around their jobs, franchise owners build their businesses around their lives. This level of flexibility will allow you to prioritize not just family but also yourself. In a world where women are taught from childhood to prioritize the needs of others, that change can be incredibly empowering.

Fewer Financial Barriers to Entry

Men aren’t just paid better, on average, than their female counterparts in the corporate world. They’re also 20% more likely to be able to secure small business loans as entrepreneurs. This statistic might help to explain why male entrepreneurs continue to make twice as much money, on average, as their female counterparts.

Thankfully, franchises offer a lower barrier to entry. Most have either in-house financing options or established relationships with outside financial institutions that can be leveraged by potential franchisees to fund their ventures. Corvus Janitorial Systems, in particular, strives to provide strong financial support and guidance throughout the franchise purchase and onboarding process. This creates new opportunities for women who are unable to secure traditional small business loans.

Help Other Women Succeed

Finally, owning a franchise offers an opportunity to help other women succeed in the business world. It’s not just that as the owner of the franchise location, you’ll have the ultimate say over who gets hired and will be able to ensure gender parity in the hiring process. Once you’ve gotten on your feet, it will also offer an opportunity to act as a mentor and serve as a positive role model for girls and younger women. At Corvus, we make the hiring and vetting process easy and straightforward for our franchise owners and will provide strong support along the way. 

It can be incredibly frustrating to continue working towards a gender-equal economy only to find additional barriers every step of the way, and some women leaving the business world feel like they’re giving up the fight. In reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Women who choose to redefine their roles in what is still a male-dominated business world and step into positions of leadership are doing their part to create a more inclusive society.

Why the Janitorial Industry?

Hopefully, by now, you’re suitably excited about the possibility of franchise ownership. The question remains, though, of why the janitorial industry offers such a great opportunity for gaining true independence. There are a few answers to that question, so each new franchisee will have a different set of reasons for starting a local janitorial business, such as a Corvus Janitorial franchise. Some of the most common include:

Meeting the Needs of the Market

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the market for all sorts of cleaning services has exploded, and that includes commercial cleaning. There are plenty of residential cleaning services out there, but few janitorial businesses that can meet the increased needs of local schools, hospitals, gyms, offices, and other large or specialized spaces. At Corvus Janitorial Systems, we have the infrastructure and support in place to provide cleaning services to all industries.

Easy Transition From Residential Cleaning

While the janitorial industry has historically been male-dominated, the majority of residential cleaning businesses are run by women. Making the transition over to owning a janitorial franchise will be much easier than learning the ins and outs of an entirely new and unrelated industry. Corvus is there with our franchise owners every step of the way to guide them on building a successful janitorial franchise business.

Support From Established Franchisors

While it’s true that women-owned businesses, in general, and franchises, in particular, are becoming more common every day, not every industry is keeping up with the changing times. In the janitorial industry, female entrepreneurs can find the support and acceptance they need from Corvus Janitorial. In fact, business owner guidance and mentorship is a core tenant of the Corvus franchise program and one reason our franchisees have enjoyed strong success and opportunities.

Contact Corvus Janitorial Systems

If you’re a female entrepreneur ready to embrace everything that janitorial franchises have to offer, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can fill out our quick and easy contact form online, or call us today, to schedule a meeting with a Corvus representative who can tell you everything you need to know about starting a woman-owned janitorial business with the help of the established Corvus Janitorial Systems brand.

Franchisee Spotlight – Jorge Rodriguez, Corvus of San Antonio

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October’s Franchisee Spotlight Series features Corvus of San Antonio Franchise Owner Mr. Jorge Rodriguez. 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

As the second Franchise Owner to partner with Corvus of San Antonio, Mr. Jorge Rodriguez has had a big impact on the market’s success. “I don’t know where we’d be without him,” states Mr. Reed Warren, Regional Director.

Mr. Rodriguez runs his business full time and can service accounts any time of day. He even performs extra work, such as carpet cleanings. His flexibility for taking accounts and his great customer service has helped Mr. Rodriguez expand his business and partnership with Corvus. While he continues to grow his business, Jorge sets revenue goals and works toward them by making informed business decisions. While he is always grateful for new accounts, he is selective to make sure he can fully commit to his customers and provide consistent top quality service.

It’s very clear that Jorge takes pride in his work and it shows by the way he takes his time cleaning all of his accounts. Two of his customers have left Google reviews, stating “We have been through many other cleaning companies in the past and have never experienced such excellent service and attention to detail. Always on time, outstanding performance and great communication,” and, “Our school is cleaner than it has ever been. I am so impressed. I am increasing our time to 5 days a week starting in June. I am a happy customer and our teachers are thrilled to have their classrooms so clean. It matters!”

Thank you Mr. Rodriguez for your commitment to your business and customers. We look forward to continuing this partnership for many years to come!