Why I Traded a Corporate Cubicle for a Squeegee
The plan was supposed to be simple. Go to Portland State University. Study hard. Get a dual degree in Finance and Supply Chain Management. Put on a suit. Sit in a cubicle in downtown Portland for the next 40 years.
I held up my end of the bargain. I got the grades. I got the degree. But looking at the current job market, I realized I had two choices:
Send out hundreds of resumes into the "digital void" and wait for permission to start my life.
Buy a truck, buy a ladder, and build something real with my own hands.
I chose the ladder.
The Myth of "Overqualified"
I’ve had neighbors ask me, "Max, you have a degree in Finance. Why are you washing my windows?"
They see it as a step back. I see it as a strategic advantage. My degree isn't wasted; it’s the engine under the hood of Western Window Cleaning.
Supply Chain Management: This isn't just about scrubbing glass; it's about logistics. I use my degree to optimize my routes, manage inventory, and reduce waste. That efficiency allows me to keep my prices competitive while using premium equipment.
Finance: I understand value. I know that for you to pay me, I have to provide a Return on Investment (ROI) in the form of property protection and curb appeal.
I am not just a "guy with a bucket." I am an operations manager who happens to work on your roof.
The "No Plan B" Commitment
Here is the honest truth: I don't have a backup plan.
If you hire a technician from a massive national franchise, they get paid $18/hour whether your windows look good or not. If they streak your glass, they still get a paycheck.
I don't have that luxury. Western Window Cleaning is it for me. I am all in.
If I am late, I lose your trust.
If I leave a streak, I lose your business.
If I don't treat your home with respect, I can't pay my bills.
That pressure is a good thing. It forces me to operate at a level of excellence that a casual employee simply can't match. When you have no safety net, "good enough" is not an option.
Investing in Local Ambition
When you pay a franchise, a percentage of that money leaves Oregon to pay for a headquarters in another state. When you hire Western, your money stays right here in Happy Valley. You are funding a local business, paying down student loans, and supporting a neighbor who is betting on himself.
I traded the cubicle for the squeegee because I wanted to look my customers in the eye and know I delivered real value.
Let me prove it to you.
