image one - commercial cleaning franchise shows Their Dedication to Veterans

Commercial cleaning franchise shows their dedication to veterans

Image one USA offers military veterans a timetested model to be their own boss in recessionresistant industry.

It’s no secret in the franchise industry that veterans make for great franchise owners. In fact, one in seven franchises in the United States are owned and operated by a veteran, according to the International Franchise Association.

Some franchisors go the extra mile to help military veterans on their road to business ownership as they transition from being in the line of duty to running a business as a civilian. suburb of Rolling Meadows, Image One USA has had the utmost dedication in helping and supporting those who served this country.

To honor service members, Image One offers a significant discount on their initial franchise fee. And, on top of that, help acclimate their veterans as they take on more responsibilities as a franchisee. It’s why they are named a top franchise for veterans by the likes of organizations such as VetFran and publications like Entrepreneur.

The ideal franchise bootcamp: Image one helps owners get moving

As a commercial cleaning franchise, Image One provides all the necessary training, tools and support to help franchise owners build their business, including teaching franchisees the latest cleaning techniques and empowering them with insights on best-in-class equipment and technology. Ongoing training is delivered both at Image One’s corporate headquarters and onsite at existing client locations to ensure that franchisees continue to grow their own businesses.

“We are proud to honor those who have fought for our country and offer them an exciting and rewarding career,” said Tim Conn, president and CEO of Image One, who started commercial cleaning at the age of 14 in the 1980s. The seed planted in that entrepreneurial teenager has blossomed into a decades-long passion for helping others. Image One has been a franchise for the past decade and has supported many people across the country launching their own cleaning business.

andy avila

examples of Image one owners who have made the transition

Andy Avila, who is now currently a franchise owner in the Chicago suburbs, spent over six years in the Army National Guard as an E-5 Sergeant.

“When I invested in my own Image One, the opportunity and benefits they offer to veterans like me was a huge help,” said Avila. “I think the benefits Image One offers, and the continued support from Tim and the entire corporate team, speaks highly of the franchise and demonstrates their incredible appreciation of veterans.”

Avila knew how to keep going and handle every stress factor. He knew he could succeed on his own and in 2018 he bought an Image One franchise. He noted that his military skills transferred over to his business strategies, where he identifies a problem, assesses the situation, and takes an actionable plan in order to find a solution. The cost to open an Image One franchise ranges from approximately $43,000 to $91,000, which makes the startup cost among the most affordable in the franchise industry. Chris Norwood, who was an active duty Commission Officer stationed in Afghanistan and an Artillery Officer deployed in Iraq, initially struggled to readjust to civilian life when he returned to the states. After bouncing around jobs for about a decade, he found his calling in the world of franchising. “I was in charge of 40 men to protect locals against the Taliban during my time overseas,” said Norwood. “I learned a great deal of discipline. From that, I am able to apply to my employees and customers, to ensure safety and satisfaction.”

chris norwood fall. He said he looks forward to leading and mentoring his employees in the same way he did as a chosen leader while deployed in the Middle East.

From military to civilian life: The traits that make a great franchisee

When it comes to operating a commercial cleaning business, there are certain traits that make someone fit to lead a unit. Image One has said that they look for candidates who make for good team leaders and who know how to complete jobs on time. Such skills are transferable from a veteran’s experience serving in the military. Becoming a franchise owner for a retired veteran provides job security and personal freedoms unlike any other sector. “We are very proud of all the men and women who have served our country, but especially the ones who join our Image One family,” said Tim Conn. “We extend our service member benefits beyond just military personnel to also include first responders, such as police officers, firefighters and EMTs.”

Image One hopes to expand into other communities to help veterans across the country achieve their business goals and aspirations. Image One currently operates primarily in the Midwest and Southeast and is actively accepting franchise applications from military veterans around the country. Cleaning and sanitation are even more important now than ever. While Image One hopes that the severity of the pandemic is behind us, they realize that disinfecting surfaces and common areas will always be necessary. Image One appreciates the hard work and dedication their veteran franchisees put in while they’re serving clients, and these retired veterans have a significant amount of admiration for company leadership at Image One. “I’m proud that I have the opportunity to grow my own business with a respected brand like Image One,” said Avila. “It affords me the opportunity to hire other veterans.”