How she shines: For 32 years, Ava Burns has built a Jani-King franchise defined by perseverance, professionalism, and lasting relationships. Her client portfolio includes some of Jani-King’s most prestigious accounts—a reflection of the trust she has earned over time.
Ava leads by example. She is known for staying accountable and encouraging others even in difficult circumstances, often with a simple message: “You need to stay positive no matter what happens.” That resilience has earned the respect of employees, customers, and business partners. The loyalty of her team is one of the strongest signs of that leadership. Many employees have stayed with her for years. Ava mentors the people around her, teaching practical skills and encouraging them to grow personally and professionally.
That same instinct shapes her work in the community. She has given meaningful work to people from her church and neighborhood who were facing hard circumstances—and gone further by teaching them a trade they can use to support themselves and their families.
Over three decades, she has kept adapting and strengthening the business while holding to the same core values. She understands the value of collaboration, continued learning, and bringing out the best in others. Ava’s record—trusted clients, long-tenured employees, and real opportunity created for people around her—makes her an exceptional representative of the cleaning industry.
Years in the industry: 32 years
Job responsibilities: Ava owns and operates one of the largest Jani-King franchises in the Phoenix region. She manages all of her customer accounts, oversees cleaning operations, manages her cleaning teams and employees, conducts quality control inspections, manages customer retention and growth, outlines business financials, and offers hands-on training and ongoing support to her staff, servicing prestigious client venues such as Arizona State University's (ASU) Mullet Arena and more.
Career path: In seventh grade, Ava wanted to be an attorney. A poster of the Grand Canyon set her sights on Arizona; a close friend already at ASU strengthened that pull. She turned down full-ride athletic scholarships elsewhere and attended ASU on an academic scholarship, double-majoring in broadcasting and business. She carried 21 credit hours a semester—with special approval from the dean—and later added journalism after falling in love with the craft through shows like The Oprah Winfrey Show. She took the LSAT and scored in the 80th percentile nationwide.
Before law school, a sorority sister told her about a Philip Morris opening in central California. Ava took the role, earned a six-figure salary in her first major job, and saved with law school still in mind (the LSAT score remained valid for three years). When family members relocated to Arizona, she grew homesick. Philip Morris had one opening in South Phoenix—considered an undesirable assignment—and after talking it through with her mother, Ava chose a different path: to use her savings to buy a business.
A former Jani-King staff member who had become a franchisee introduced her to the model. The flexibility of owning her schedule appealed to her, and she purchased that franchise. In 2004, while the cleaning business was still young, she also bought a newspaper. Advertising relationships from that venture still serve her today, and the press credential took her to events such as the Oscars and President Obama’s inauguration. The through-line is the same: set a goal, take the next concrete step, and build something she can run on her own terms.
Best advice received: From her mother: You can do anything you want to do, even when it looks impossible. People will tell you that you “can’t.” If you accept that, they are right. If you do not, the outcome is still yours to make.
Fun fact: Ava sings karaoke—loudly and happily—and people are often surprised when she launches into ’80s rock. Her favorites include Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” plus Journey and Billy Idol.