Adam Povlitz is in the cleaning business and he says there’s nothing glamorous about his line of work. “Cleaning isn’t sexy, I accept it. It’s grimy. It’s tough,” said Povlitz, executive vice president of Pompano Beach-based Anago Cleaning Systems. “But there’s a lot of money in dirt.”
How much money? To be exact, he said the 25-year-old commercial cleaning franchise company billed about $41 million last year, up from $37 million in 2012. That sums up all jobs contracted by Anago’s more than 2,400 franchisees, including around 200 in South Florida.
Adam’s father, David Povlitz, founded the company in 1989 and still serves as chairman. Father and son credit their quarter-century of accomplishments to a commitment to quality service. They use top-of-the-line products and offer complete orientation and support to franchisees.
They also believe they are in a recession-proof industry. Buildings still need to be cleaned even if fewer people work in them and the job can’t be outsourced or replaced by the Internet. The Povlitz’s also ahve made it an easy entry for franchisees; new owners can buy a franchise for an initial fee of about $5,000, with a $1,000 down payment.
Most franchisees are family operations, as is the case at Anago, the Povlitz said.
“It shows continuity and shows it’s not just one person who believes in the system,” said David Povlitz. His son Adam left his job as financial analyst for IBM to join the company and prepare to lead it on his own once his father retires. David Povlitz’ daughter, Lisa, is vice president of internal operations.
Anago’s franchising growth — with units across the country, Chile and Canada — has been recognized throughout the years by several organizations.
Accolades include rankings in Entrepreneur magazine for categories such as “Fastest-Growing,” “Low-Cost,” “Top Home-Based,” “America’s Top Global” and top 500 franchises. A 2013 survey by the National Minority Franchising Initiative named Anago one of the Top 50 Franchises for Minorities. The company also has been in Inc. Magazine’s lists for fastest growing companies in America.
David Povlitz, who once vacuumed floors and scrubbed toilets, says his ultimate reward is seeing families achieve financial success as a result of their franchise earnings.
“My finest hour, my biggest thrill, is when I see a family send a daughter or son to college, make payments on a new refrigerator, buy a new home [because of Anago],” he said.
South Florida resident Jose Cuevas says he bought a franchise 10 years ago and has more than 15 clients, billing about $12,000 a month. He employs six people.
“I came to this country with empty pockets,” the 47-year-old Colombian native said. “Now, I have a house. All I own comes from the cleaning.”