River City Six – Mike Rouw
Meet Mike Rouw, the president and owner of The Office Cleaners (www.the-office-cleaners.com).
Tell us a little about your business.
We provide commercial cleaning services to a wide variety of businesses in the greater Omaha and Lincoln areas. Our focus is on customer service first, second, third, and always. We customize our services to the unique needs of each customer. Whether the service is daily, weekly, or just a one-time thing, our professional staff is there to guarantee customer satisfaction. My wife Kellye and I acquired the business in 2020.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?
Adapting to changes. I’ve worked for four different corporations and owned three different businesses in my 30+ year professional career. I’ve experienced leveraged buyouts, public offerings, international expansion, and many, many different management changes. Adapting to change is the only constant.
Tell us a little about your family.
My wife Kellye and I have been married for 36 years, and we have four grown daughters and one beautiful grandchild. We are proud to call Omaha our home for all of that time.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
From a personal perspective, it was choosing my life partner and starting our family. Professionally, making the pivot from a corporate management career to running my own small business.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
I enjoy golfing, riding motorcycles, attending sports events, working around the house, and hanging out with friends and family over a shared summer BBQ in our backyard.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know?
I spent 20+ years coaching youth soccer, including seven years at the high school level, even though I never had a chance to play the game myself.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be?
Responsible. Responsibility shows love, empathy, respect, and professionalism toward others in action. I strive to bring this responsibility in everything I do.
If you had a theme song, what would it be?
I grew up in the age of big rock anthems and electric guitars. While I don’t have a theme song, I always enjoy a good guitar riff!
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life?
I am a trained computer programmer and data analyst. While we make use of technology in our business, commercial cleaning is more of a personal service to our customers.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I would love to have enough talent at golf to beat my wife at the game occasionally!
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why?
We support JDRF and local food pantries. A family member suffered with juvenile diabetes and no one in our community should go hungry. We also support our local parish and schools.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?
My favorite author is Stephen King. I think I have read them all!
What is your favorite movie?
Christmas Vacation is a classic.
What is your favorite TV show?
Wheel of Fortune.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
(402) 680-7838; mrouw@the-office-cleaners.com; www.the-office-cleaners.com.