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

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers - Butch and Niki Irwin - Father's Day - 1851 Franchise

A Legacy of Care: How a Father and Daughter Team Elevate Senior Living Across Michigan and Ohio

comfort-keepers-monroe-butch-niki-irwin

Minuteman Press International

Minuteman Press Franchise Owner Corey Sanders at his center in Greenville, SC.

Minuteman Press Franchise Review: From Business Consulting to Printing

minuteman-press-franchise-review-from-business-consulting-to-printing

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Sell Smarter: How Pre-Listing Inspections Give Home Sellers an Edge

pre-listing-inspections-seller-advantage

BoConcept

BoConcept Shares Tips for Homeowners Who Want to Refresh Their Living Rooms

boconcept-shares-tips-for-homeowners-who-want-to-refresh-their-living-rooms

BoConcept’s Carmen Henriquez Shares Tips for Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Design

boconcepts-carmen-henriquez-shares-tips-for-seamless-indoor-outdoor-design

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

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises

homebuyers-keep-buying-and-thats-good-news-for-home-service-franchises

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers - 1851 Franchise

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers

ai-unemployment-impact-white-collar-job-loss

How To Sell Just One Franchise: What You’ll Learn at FranCamp NJ 2025

how-to-sell-just-one-franchise-what-youll-learn-at-francamp-nj-2025

House Passes Tax Relief Package With Key Benefits for Small Businesses and Franchises

house-passes-small-business-tax-relief-bill-2025

McDonald’s To Hire 375,000 Workers as It Prepares for Major U.S. Expansion

mcdonalds-to-hire-375000-workers-as-it-prepares-for-major-us-expansion

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How to Position Your Value Proposition

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How to Position Your Value Proposition — Point of Differentiation

how-to-position-your-value-proposition-with-a-point-of-differentiation

franchise supplier award design with Locate AI logo and 1851 Franchise badge

Franchise Real Estate Services | Locate AI — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

locate-ai-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: Building Your Brand’s Growth Machine

ultimate-guide-to-selling-franchises

How Car Sales Taught Buddy's Home Furnishings’ Mitchell Lee the Secrets of Franchise Development

how-car-sales-taught-buddys-home-furnishings-mitchell-lee-the-secrets-of-franchise-development

The Top 20 Handyman Franchises To Invest in for 2025

top-handyman-franchises-to-invest-in

The Top 20 Cleaning Franchises to Invest in for 2025

top-cleaning-franchises-to-invest-in

franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Melissa & Matt Johnson and Pigtails & Crewcuts logo

Building a Family-Friendly Business: How Melissa and Matt Johnson Grew Pigtails & Crewcuts in San Antonio

how-melissa-and-matt-johnson-grew-pigtails-crewcuts-in-san-antonio

Sola Salons Franchisee Grows Salon Freedom Into a Multi-State Powerhouse 

sola-salons-franchisee-grows-salon-freedom-into-a-multi-state-powerhouse

Young Entrepreneurs: Kathryn Saluke of OfficeLuv

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS