1851

Even with her go-getter attitude and ability to rally around others, OfficeLuv co-founder Kathryn Saluke didn&rsquo;t have her sights set on business ownership when first starting her career in office operations. With behind-the-scene strengths, Saluke serves as a great example of how leadership doesn&rsquo;t always have to look just one way.

Had it not been for Chicago&rsquo;s approachability and entrepreneurial spirit, it&rsquo;s hard to say whether or not Saluke would have found herself in the position she now holds. Originally from a small town in Ohio, she was drawn to Chicago for its Midwest urban charm.

&ldquo;Chicago is full of hardworking, down to earth and genuine people, which naturally makes it a great place to start a company and make connections,&rdquo; says Saluke. &ldquo;Just in the past few years, there&rsquo;s been a lot of infrastructure built to support and develop business opportunities for young entrepreneurs.&rdquo;

In late 2014, Saluke co-founded Builders Studios (formerly called Roniin), an incubator that co-founds companies with youngish CEOs, and sets them up with serial entrepreneurs for mentorship and guidance. This allows founders to receive support from within rather than initially rely on outside funding, even providing founders with a salary until he or she can raise venture capital. It was at Builders Studios that Saluke first began brainstorming the idea of OfficeLuv.

&ldquo;While sitting in a conference room [at Builders Studios], I threw out the idea to make the office experience better,&rdquo; relays Saluke. &ldquo;I really didn&rsquo;t even know specifics at the time, but I knew from prior roles that there are many components to office management that are broken. I previously was the glue in the office, overseeing supply fulfillment, employee happiness, facilities and vendor management, travel arrangements and event planning, all to increase productivity of my team. I experienced firsthand the potential improvements that could be made. The workplace is literally a space, but it&rsquo;s also a community of people, and we want to build an operating system that tie those two together.&rdquo;

Officially launching in March of 2015, OfficeLuv raised $3.8 million in funding just one year later. OfficeLuv now offers in depth cleaning and maintenance services to offices in Chicago, and it&rsquo;s slated to expand operations into Milwaukee and a handful of other markets in 2017. Saluke believes that the cleaning company&rsquo;s rapid success lies in all the little details.

&ldquo;We offer a customized clean, which goes beyond the basic trash pick-up and vacuuming. Our service associates are like Swiss army knives&mdash;they can tackle an array of tasks like event set up and clean up, mailroom services, supply replenishment, making coffee, order groceries, and more,&rdquo; says Saluke. &ldquo;We want to know our customers down to their craft beer preferences and core values. I don&rsquo;t know of many other cleaning companies who are fulfilling clients&rsquo; needs beyond cleaning.&rdquo;

Now that OfficeLuv has mastered cleaning services, they have their eyes set on finding other ways in which they can improve the office experience, from helping companies create more efficient processes to others factors that go beyond cleaning.

&ldquo;The one consistency in startups is change,&rdquo; says Saluke, about why it&rsquo;s important to go with the flow. &ldquo;Having a clear strategy and goals are necessities to building a successful business, but you also need to stay agile and open minded [about details and tactics] because things will change.&rdquo;

Young Entrepreneurs: Kathryn Saluke of OfficeLuv

1851 Franchise

Still at the beginning of her entrepreneurial journey, OfficeLuv co-founder Kathryn Saluke sees the necessity of flexibility and focus. 


young-entrepreneurs-kathryn-saluke-of-officeluv

Woodhouse Spas

Why Franchise Owners Continue To Invest in Woodhouse Spas

why-franchise-owners-continue-to-invest-in-woodhouse-spas

Sylvan Learning

Clay Today: Sylvan Learning of Orange Park Celebrates 40 Years of Education and Growth

clay-today-sylvan-learning-of-orange-park-celebrates-40-years-of-education-and-growth

Layne's Chicken Fingers

FOX Business: Layne’s Chicken Fingers CEO Expresses Optimism for Small Business Growth

fox-business-laynes-chicken-fingers-ceo-expresses-optimism-for-small-business-growth

Sylvan Learning - Empowering Women in Education - Susan Valverde - Denise Tompkins - Jessica Rollins

Empowering Women in Education: How Sylvan Learning’s Female Leaders Are Making an Impact

sylvan-learning-empowering-women-in-education

Shuckin' Shack

Photo of Shuckin' Shack team gathered in a room for the brand's State of the Union

Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar Franchise Partners Unite for Annual Conference Focused on Innovation, Growth, and Giving Back

shuckin-shack-franchisees-unite-for-annual-conference

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

Login

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Design with hundred dollar bill and orange "recession" banner across the middle

ABC News: Recession Risks Are Rising, Economists Say. Here’s What to Know.

recession-risks-impact-economy-franchise-world

NRA: Restaurants Focus On Enhancing In-Store Experiences To Attract Diners in 2025

nra-restaurants-focus-on-enhancing-in-store-experiences-to-attract-diners-in-2025

The Joint Chiropractic - Dr. Anthony Tran - IFA Franchisee of the Year - 1851 Franchise

The Joint Chiropractic’s Dr. Anthony Tran Named Franchisee of the Year by the IFA

joint-chiropractic-dr-anthony-tran-ifa

TruGolf - Hybrid Golf Franchise - Nexus Golf - 1851 Franchise

TruGolf Links Unveils Revolutionary Hybrid Golf Franchise Concept

trugolf-links-unveils-revolutionary-hybrid-golf-franchise-concept

Photo of a basket of chicken wings with dipping sauce and celery

RestaurantNews: Franchisees File Comprehensive Legal Complaint Against Hurricane AMT

restaurantnews-franchisees-file-comprehensive-legal-complaint-against-hurricane-amt

Franchise Customer Engagement | Spectrio — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

franchise-customer-engagement-spectrio-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Meet the Supplier graphic with 1851 Franchise and LoyaltyLoop logos

LoyaltyLoop: Customer Experience Management To Boost Loyalty and Reputation

loyaltyloop-franchise-customer-experience-supplier

How Samir Wattar of Layne’s Chicken Fingers Has Found Success Working With 1851 Franchise

how-samir-wattar-of-laynes-chicken-fingers-has-found-success-working-with-1851-franchise

Franchise Banking/Financing | ApplePie Capital — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

franchise-bankingfinancing-applepie-capital-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Franchisee spotlight featuring Ian and Dick Rydholm with gradient blue background and Sylvan logo

Ian and Dick Rydholm Celebrate 30 Years of Transforming Lives Through Sylvan Learning in El Paso, Texas

ian-and-dick-rydholm-celebrate-30-years-of-transforming-lives-through-sylvan

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

Domonique Downing - Big Frog Franchise - Fayetteville, GA - 1851 Franchise

Coca-Cola Scientist Finds Path to Autonomy with Big Frog Franchise in Fayetteville, Georgia

big-frog-franchise-fayetteville-georgia

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

Young Entrepreneurs: Kathryn Saluke of OfficeLuv

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS