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.

If you are a facility manager or business owner in 2023, you are likely navigating the complex dynamics of the "Return to Office" (RTO). Across the country, companies are issuing mandates or strong encouragements for teams to come back to their desks this fall.

But as many leaders are finding, issuing a mandate is the easy part. The hard part is managing the morale and expectations of a workforce that has spent three years controlling their own home environments.

At Vaakawi, we are seeing a clear trend among our top-tier clients: they aren't just unlocking the doors; they are using facility excellence to "earn the commute."

The middle of August in Arizona signals a shift. The school buses are back on the roads, the "Out of Office" auto-replies are disappearing, and there is a collective shift in mindset from summer vacation mode to "back to business."

While we often associate this time of year with students returning to the classroom, it is also a critical transition period for commercial facilities. As vacations end and occupancy rates rise in offices and retail centers, your building is about to see a spike in foot traffic.