Local Army Veteran opens small biz in Columbia, improves work-life balance

After enjoying a 23 year long career in the Army that brought his family all over the world, Mike Hoos decided to retire in summer of 2013. “We always said once the kids reached high school age that I would retire and we could settle down in one community for good. Columbia is home to us; we were stationed here years ago, love the lake and made a lot of friends,” Hoos said.

Pending his retirement, the Army took Hoos through classes designed to help him make a smooth transition back to civilian life and figure out his second career. He was presented with the idea of owning a business, and while that interested him, he took a position with Amazon as an Operations Manager instead. Hoos said, “I wasn’t ready at the time for the uncertainty that goes along with business ownership. I enjoyed my time at Amazon but began working 14 to 16 hour shifts, sometimes at night; the work-life balance was not what my family needed so I re-visited the idea of owning my own business.”

This past summer, Hoos worked with a franchise coach at The Entrepreneur’s Source and discovered a few viable business opportunities including Window Genie, a national home service franchise specializing in window cleaning, window tinting, pressure washing, gutter cleaning and more. “Window Genie was the front runner from the get-go,” Hoos said. “Not only was it was a fairly low investment considering the potential for growth and success, but I liked that there were a variety of services to offer meaning there was something for every home at any budget. This would allow me to build a loyal customer base that would repeat business with us year-round.”

Because Window Genie is a mobile franchise, meaning there is no store-front, Hoos says it gives him the lifestyle he and his family so desperately desired. “As my own boss I’m able to build my schedule around family time; I’ll never have anyone asking me to come in for over-time on a Saturday or perform an emergency window cleaning on Christmas morning. I’ll be able to make all the basketball games, family dinners and weekend activities. That’s the most valuable thing Window Genie can provide for my family.”

Window Genie of Columbia is open for business. They service the northern Columbia communities including Chapin, Lexington, Irmo and Seven Oaks. All field technicians have undergone background checks, are fully trained, insured and bonded. Estimates are free. Visit www.north-columbia.windowgenie.com to learn more about their services. Please contact Mike Hoos at (803) 298-5066 or mhoos@windowgenie.com

About Window Genie: Window Genie started in 1994 in Cincinnati Ohio as a small local window cleaning business. Window Genie now offers a variety of services including window cleaning, window tinting, pressure washing, gutter cleaning and more. Franchise operations began in 1998; there are now over 70 locations in 23 states. Franchise opportunities available nationwide. Visit www.windowgeniefranchise.com to learn more.