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Friends Jared Rothberger and Bryan Lubaway celebrate the opening of Jan-Pro
Detroit, which helps people start commercial cleaning businesses.
Open For Business!
Franchise and friendship go together.
Zoe Schubot I JN Intern
W
HUGE ANNUAL
NOVEMBER SALE
STARTS NOVEMBER 9 IN DETROIT
CONTINUES NOVEMBER 16 IN BLOOMFIELD HILLS
313-873-8300
16 October 29.201
•
www.dittrichfurs.com
/
ges
248-642-3000
hen Jared Rothberger and
Bryan Lubaway, both 33,
sought to open a single
TCBY/Mrs. Fields in the Renaissance
Center, they had no idea they were about
to embark on a journey that would lead
them down a completely different path.
Following a discovery that the frozen
yogurt venture wouldn't generate the
revenue they expected, these entrepre-
neurs pulled the plug and started over.
The partners sought the counsel of
their mentors, one of whom is franchise
expert Richard Simtob, president of
Zoup! Fresh Soup Company.
His wealth of franchise knowledge
and understanding of the franchise pro-
cess steered them in a completely new
direction. After examining all of their
options, the partners bought the rights to
the Detroit market of Jan-Pro Cleaning
Systems, an internationally recognized,
franchise-based commercial cleaning
company that helps individuals start
their own cleaning businesses.
"It's definitely not a sexy business,
but as long as there are offices that
need someone to empty their trash, our
franchise owners will have work" said
Rothberger.
From their days as president and vice
president of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity at
Michigan State University, Rothberger
and Lubaway knew they wanted to be in
business together. Rothberger, who now
lives in Bloomfield Hills, said that he was
initially drawn to entrepreneurial ven-
tures because he wanted to experience
both the freedoms and challenges that
come with running one's own business.
"There's something to be said for
building something on your own and
being able to control all of the mov-
ing parts" Rothberger said. "It's a lot of
responsibility — making sure that your
business is run the way you want"
Rothberger knew he wanted Lubaway
as a partner. Lubaway is the outgoing
and charismatic people-person who can
bring in the customers, while Rothberger
is dedicated to providing excellent cus-
tomer service. Lubaway said his and
Rothberger's background in providing
service to people ended up being the
deciding factor in choosing Jan-Pro.
The company's dedication to helping
their clients achieve financial success was
widely appealing to both Rothberger,
who previously worked at BBYO, JARC
and Korotkin Insurance group, and
Lubaway, who managed restaurants and
yoga studios.
"Jan-Pro has a proven track record and
the accolades to back it up, but its real
success is being able to help other people
build their own wealth" said Lubaway,
who lives in Royal Oak.
Rothberger added, "To realize that we
could help people who are struggling
in this economy — it was a really cool
experience. Everyone wants to make
money, but I feel great about being able
to lay my head down at the end of the
day knowing that I helped someone put
food on the table"
Lubaway said having a background in
service helps keep their "moral compass
headed in the right direction" when
making business decisions.
Rothberger and Lubaway focus on
doing what is best for their franchise
owners. New owners Gene Markowitz,
who lives in Southfield, and Tom
Wozniak, who lives in Dearborn, of
Progressive Strides LLC started their
business in late June and already have
multiple accounts with a business that is
cash-flow positive.