After working at Delta Air Lines for more than 31 years in operational and corporate positions, Raul Alvarez was ready to take the leap into entrepreneurship.
“I took an early retirement and wanted to change my life so that I could have a more balanced personal and work schedule. I also hoped to purchase a business where I could not only build equity but build a positive work environment where people are passionate about what they do.”
Raul and Maria, a school teacher for more than 20 years, both grew up in Southern California and have since lived in Atlanta for fourteen years. The pair has two children who they hope will participate in the business in the future.
“For me, it’s my opportunity to teach them how to run a small business; it’s a great learning opportunity,” Raul said.
The Cleaning Authority was the perfect fit for the couple, not only because of its sophisticated software and background systems, but the overlying dynamic of the company. The new franchise owners wanted the opportunity to interact with customers and employees first-hand locally, while also having the ability to grow as a franchise.
“We are not just locally owned and locally operated, but obviously we are part of the community that we are servicing,” Raul said. “That’s an important part of what I wanted to do, continue to contribute to the fabric of the community where I live.”
Alpharetta, Georgia is the perfect market to grow Raul and Maria’s The Cleaning Authority franchise because of the number of residences, the many families that need time back, and the overall growth in the area.
“The Cleaning Authority provides us the ability to create a franchise that honors customer service and values hard-working employees,” Raul says. He also looks forward to owning a business that centers on an old-fashioned culture of taking care of the customer and the community.