Young Ones To Watch: Adam Povlitz, CEO of Anago Cleaning Systems

Adam Povlitz, CEO of Anago Cleaning Systems, took over the commercial cleaning franchise from his father when he left the corporate finance world after the 2008 recession. Since then, Povlitz has been getting his hands dirty finding the best ways to redefine what clean looks like. The tier three commercial cleaning franchise is celebrating 32 years in business, and it’s what Povlitz says is one of the younger, scrappier players in the industry because of its strong focus on tech that helps to provide instant communication between client and franchise.

Povlitz's background is in corporate finance. He worked at IBM in New York. His father founded the business in 1989, and he got involved in 2009.

Povlitz worked at IBM during a major initiative and was part of the team determining who was being laid off when the recession hit in 2008. He felt like a number and decided to leave the company. His father started talking to him about working with Anago, and he began as a franchisee's assistant at night, cleaning a daycare.

He did every job from cleaning to customer service to sales before moving up to the corporate office and eventually working his way up to CEO.

The beauty of the business is that Anago is not just a commercial cleaning service, but a way to help people get into business for themselves. They're keeping the American dream of business ownership alive. Povlitz believes that the number one trait for success in the industry is drive. He likes the idea of franchisees who come in every day and ask themselves what they can do to drive the business forward.

Povlitz is involved in the International Franchise Association (IFA) and believes that the industry is working together to help franchisees through the current challenges. He's seen a shift in the industry, with a greater focus on technology and communication between clients and franchisees. In commercial cleaning, one of the biggest challenges is defining what clean looks like, especially in the wake of the pandemic. Anago has introduced a new Protection Plus Disinfecting Program that leaves behind visual clues of what's been cleaned and disinfected.

Povlitz believes that this is one of the best times to be in commercial cleaning, with a greater demand for services and a shift in the paradigm of the business. The industry is moving from soliciting business owners to responding to end consumers who demand cleanliness in commercial spaces. Anago is in the business of infection prevention and safety, and the pandemic has been good for the future of commercial cleaning.

Povlitz's advice for young up-and-comers in the industry is to not be afraid to get their hands dirty and learn everything from the bottom up. This will allow them to work with franchise owners who have been in business longer and learn from their experiences.