Tag Archive for: CJ Micallef

International Women’s Day: CJ Micallef from ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Manchester

ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Manchester’s CJ Micallef shares how she navigates being a woman in business. 

CJ Micallef’s parents, Martin and Sarah Steinman, purchased ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Manchester in the UK in early 1991.

Having now mostly stepped away from the business, which they began using their life savings, ServiceMaster Manchester is in the capable hands of CJ, who continues to oversee its growth into a thriving business.

Working regularly on charity initiatives, staff support and development, and having seen the business grow even during some of the toughest COVID-19 restrictions in the UK, CJ is a shining example of an everyday hero.

She says the key to her success is a willingness to get her hands dirty. After joining the business as a cleaner and performing every role within it subsequently, CJ knows what it takes to achieve success and growth in a cleaning business.

To celebrate Women’s History Month, we spoke to CJ about what it means to be a successful woman in business.

What’s the best career advice you’ve been given?

“Believe in yourself, stand strong, and (most importantly) always be yourself.”

“Don’t give up at the first hurdle, there is always another chance or solution. Learn from your mistakes, this ultimately makes you a better manager, leader and person. Always ask for help. No one likes a know-it-all.”

What advice do you have for women looking to grow their own business? 

“Trust yourself. You have all the answers within you, make that leap. Why would you work for anyone else if you can do it better? Trust your instincts, all the while making time for you and your family, as the rewards will be greater all around if you make that space for yourself.”

What do you wish more people knew about being a woman in business?

“Women in business are not just one dimensional, we have many skills and talents, and often we give so much more commitment than is recognised as we often put others first.

Sometimes we feel that we are not experienced enough or assertive enough or passionate enough. But we can achieve anything we want and more.

Women can be as fierce as men in the boardroom, whilst remaining empathetic, we provide support and are team players as well as strong leaders. Women should not be overlooked for any position in a business as they often are the backbone. Without women, the world of business would be a very one-sided view with limited vision and perspective.”

What’s an accomplishment or win that makes you especially proud?

“Winning a Great British Franchisee and a BFA HSBC UK British Franchise Award, that’s a big one! We have been in business for 30+ years, and it’s the sort of thing you probably forget about because you do it all the time. This is what you do.

Achieving these things, particularly on the back of the last few years with COVID and the challenges that presented to the sector and our business, is such a wonderful thing to be a part of. These are for everybody. They’re recognised outside of our franchisor by independent people, so that’s an amazing success we’ll benefit from in the future.

We’re seeing more opportunities, more development, and are employing more people.

I can’t think. There are loads!”

What has been a big goal in your career?

“I want us to be a leader in housing and education. I want us to maintain the reputation we already have. But I want people to know when they want a commercial cleaner: ‘Well, let’s ring ServiceMaster.’

And that means employing more people and giving them opportunities. We’ve had cleaners that have worked for us, in terms of our direct operators out in the field, for over 15-20 years. A good majority have been here for 5 to 10 years. So that’s important. For me, it’s about promoting those people and giving them career opportunities. I don’t stand still. There’s no need.”

Need a new cleaner?

If you’re in Manchester and the surrounding areas and would benefit from professional contract cleaning services from a multi-award-winning business, contact the team on 0800 1958 490 or find your nearest ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services business to see how we can help you today.

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ServiceMaster Cleans up at BFA HSBC UK British Franchise Awards 2024

CJ Micallef from ServiceMaster Clean Manchester won big at the BFA HSBC UK British Franchise Awards 2024 in Telford.

 The BFA HSBC UK British Franchise Awards is one of the most prolific nights in the UK franchising calendar.

The awards, which this year celebrated their 35th year, recognise excellence in franchising from across the nation, rewarding the best of the best and the strides and growth of the sector from those living and breathing the reality of franchise ownership.

Four such people were the franchise business owners from ServiceMaster Clean’s three finalists this year, one of whom, CJ Micallef from ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Manchester, took home the coveted HSBC UK Best In Class Award on the night!

HSBC UK Best In Class Multi-Unit Single Brand Award

This category is for Multi-Unit, Single Brand franchisees.

The BFA describe the HSBC UK best-in-class multi-unit award as ‘like no other.’

It recognises business owners who have built empires in franchising.

The judges were blown away by ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Manchester’s incredible 19 years of growth, comprehensive management and development structure, and robust plans to develop the business in economically and environmentally sustainable ways in the years to come.

Kind words

Pip Wilkins, CEO of the BFA and co-head judge, said:

“This year’s entries demonstrated well-thought-out strategies, forward-thinking innovation and growth for franchise brands. My enormous congratulations to all finalists and, of course, the winners. We hope this award will give you the recognition you deserve as the best in British franchising”. 

CJ was naturally overjoyed with the results, thanking her parents, who own and ran the business before handing her the reigns in recent years:

“I am thrilled to have won the award for Best-In-Class Multi-Unit franchising.

As a family business that has grown from working in a conservatory at home to an office where everyone feels like a part of that big family, it means so much to be recognised for what we do and have achieved over the years.

I want to say thank you to my staff, who have made it all possible and to the original owners, Martin and Sarah Steinman, for their support. Thank you!”

Congratulations to our worthy winners and all of the other finalists.

Need an award-winning cleaning service?

If you need an award-winning cleaner with nationwide coverage and limitless capacity, find your nearest ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services business to see how we can help you today.