Navy Veteran Van Sims Uses His Military Experience to Run His Cleaning Franchise
A veteran of the U.S. Navy Reserves, Van Sims leaned on the discipline and resilience he gained in the military to succeed in the early days of running his Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services franchise. “My military experience taught me to persevere and keep pushing forward even when challenges arise, knowing that things will eventually turn around.”
When he opened his Birmingham, Ala., location in October 2020, Sims’ biggest challenge was finding and retaining talented staff. But perseverance paid off, he says, “The rewards have been immense. Seeing the impact we’ve had on the lives of our employees and watching the business grow has been incredibly fulfilling.” Now, he has more than 65 employees on his roster, all who “deliver top-quality service to our customers.”
Overcoming Challenges
Starting a business during the pandemic also presented challenges, but Sims is proud of how far his franchise has come. “If I had any regrets, it would be the timing. It certainly wasn’t easy, but it’s made me more resilient,” he says.
After serving in the military from 1986-1992, Sims spent more than 15 years as an operations manager at a medical device company, followed by work in distribution. However, it was during his time at a food ingredient company that his interest in the cleaning industry was sparked. “The COVID-19 pandemic made me aware of the critical role that cleaning plays in the success of every business,” Sims explains. “One of my responsibilities was to ensure the safety of our team and ramp up our cleaning protocols. This experience opened my eyes to the importance of the cleaning industry.”
Sims was immediately drawn to the Office Pride family’s values and the support structure it provides to franchisees. “After researching Office Pride and seeing the alignment of their values with mine, I felt confident, even without prior cleaning experience, that their training and support would allow me to succeed,” he says.
The Business Model
Office Pride offers a recession-resistant business model that empowers franchisees like Sims to make a real difference while building a steady income. The commercial cleaning franchise serves businesses in many industries, providing an essential service that stays in demand, even during tough economic times. “Commercial cleaning is a necessary service for businesses across all sectors, and Office Pride’s model gives franchise owners stability and growth opportunities,” Sims says.
With a proven track record, the franchise provides strong support and training to help owners run efficiently and boost profits. For Sims, this system has been key. “Throughout most of my time with Office Pride, I’ve had the support of an area developer who provided me with sales and product training,” he shares.
What really won Sims over with Office Pride was its strong commitment to core values like integrity and respect, which helped him create a positive, supportive work environment. These values not only matter to franchisees but also resonate with clients who want reliable, ethical service. “Managing this team is a group effort,” Sims says. “It’s about fostering growth, development, and empowering everyone to take pride in the work we do together.” Another reason Sims chose Office Pride is its flexible, scalable business model. Whether franchisees want to run a small team or grow into larger operations, the model allows for that kind of growth.
Now, with four years in the business, Sims is as dedicated as ever to his franchise and the community he serves. His advice? “No matter what challenges come your way, keep your eyes on your goals, stay flexible, remember why you started, and leave the rest in God’s hands.”
Tips for Franchisee Success
Navy veteran Van Sims shares his top advice for those considering franchise ownership:
- Do Your Research. “Gather as much information as possible about the franchise you’re considering.”
- Understand Support. “Take the time to understand their support structure — it’s crucial to your success.”
- Have a Clear Vision. “Know what success looks like from day one, through the first year, and beyond.”
- Stay Resilient. “Challenges will come, but stay focused and flexible, and remember why you started.”
- Trust the Process. “Put everything in God’s hands and keep pushing forward.”
Veterans and Franchising
Veterans make the perfect franchise owners because of their dedication to a mission and willingness to work as a team. Data from the International Franchise Association shows that even though veterans account for about 7% of the population, they make up 14% of franchise owners.
For more information, visit https://officepridefranchise.com/.
