If you have been following our journey, you know that Vaakawi has come a long way from the single carpet van we started with in Tucson back in the early '90s. We have expanded nationwide, we have embraced high-tech cleaning solutions, and in 2022, we changed our name to better reflect who we are.

But there was one final piece of the puzzle missing.

Today, we are incredibly proud to share that piece with you. We are officially unveiling our new logo and visual identity.

The grills are heating up, the coolers are packed, and the fireworks stands are emptying out. Independence Day is nearly here.

For us at Vaakawi, the Fourth of July is always a moment of reflection. As we look back on our journey—from a small, family-run flooring shop in Tucson in 1992 to a nationwide facility services provider today—we are reminded that the "American Dream" is built on hard work, resilience, and the freedom to grow.

We are proud to be an American success story, and we are even prouder to serve the businesses and institutions that make this country run.

But while you are preparing for the festivities, we know that Facility Managers are often worrying about the aftermath.

As businesses tighten their belts and analyze operational costs in 2025, we often hear the same question from Facility Managers and Business Owners: "Wouldn't it be cheaper if we just hired our own janitor?"

On paper, it seems like a logical way to cut costs. You pay an hourly wage, buy some supplies at the local store, and keep it simple. But after three decades in this industry—growing from a local Tucson shop to a nationwide provider—we have seen time and time again that "in-house" cleaning often ends up being the more expensive option.

We often talk about the importance of a clean lobby to impress clients or a sanitized conference room for big meetings. But if you want to know the true morale of a workplace, don’t look at the boardroom—look at the breakroom.

The breakroom is the "heart" of the office. It is where your team decompresses, refuels, and connects. In February, as the winter grind sets in, this communal space becomes even more vital for maintaining company culture.

However, it is also frequently the biggest source of office friction. Nothing kills the mid-day mood faster than a sticky table, a microwave that looks like a crime scene, or a "science experiment" growing in the back of the fridge.