Local couple wins entrepreneurial award from Image One USA

Every year, national commercial cleaning franchise Image One USA recognizes one of its own for being a best-in-system franchise business leader. This year, the award goes to local couple Jose and Santiaga Rivas, Image One franchise owners serving the Aurora, Naperville and Joliet areas.

It’s an award that means the world to the resilient entrepreneurial couple.

“We have worked non-stop over the past four years to build our franchise business, sometimes putting in 16 hour-plus days,” Jose Rivas said. “But, it is all worth it because my wife and I have been able to grow the business exponentially and bring more than a dozen jobs to our area, all while providing customers top-notch commercial cleaning services.”

Rivas noted this is the first award he has won since playing soccer at the College of Du Page several decades ago. He and his wife were equally surprised and honored to receive the award from Image One.

“We were actually scheduled to work on a few of our accounts the day of the recognition -- but Image One told us we needed to come to this year’s annual franchise gathering because we were franchisees of the year. For that, we were happy to make other arrangements!” Rivas said.

The Image One Franchisee of the Year Award takes a comprehensive look at performance and leadership of the business owners in the company’s franchise system. In order to be considered for the award, franchise owners must excel in the following areas: financial (sales/revenue volume, profitability), adherence to system and operational standards, client/customer satisfaction, HR (employee training, customer service) and community involvement and service.

“We couldn’t be happier to name Jose and Santiaga our top franchise owners of 2016,” said Tim Conn, co-founder of the Wood Dale, Illinois-based Image One franchise brand. “They embody everything that makes our franchise owners thrive: they’re persistent and passionate about growing their business and dedicated to providing customers an experience they won’t receive anywhere else in the industry. It’s been an honor to work closely with them as they grow their Image One franchise.”

With a starting investment among the lowest in the entire franchise industry, Image One owners can live out their business ownership dreams as an experienced group of executives guide them every step of the way.

To learn more about Image One's local commercial cleaning solutions, visit ImageOneChicago.com. More information about the franchise brand can be found at ImageOneFranchise.com.