Kathleen Bands is more than just vice president of My Cleaning Service Inc. (MCS)  in Baltimore. She is the third generation to take leadership in the firm. Her mother, Lisa, is president, having acquired the business from her father, Gerry Rogers, in 1993.

While some would bristle at the prospect of working with a parent and continuing a long-running and successful legacy, Bands was up for the challenge at a young age. "I graduated from Washington College in 2010 where I studied Business Administration," she recalled. "I was able to tailor my education around planning to run the company, attending local industry organizations and  even wrote my senior capstone experience as a 10-year business plan for MCS."

She continued, "I was very close to my grandfather who started the company with my grandmother. I think that because my family is so close, we have continued to maintain the same company values as how we were founded."

So has "multi-generational leadership" been a big selling point to the MCS clientele? Bands was quick to answer, stating, "Actually, many of my clients worked with my mother or grandfather at some point. They've become part of our company’s culture and legacy. I have even gotten RFPs solely because a potential client worked with my family sometime in the past."

Her current role as VP enables Bands to oversee all aspects of the business, from operations and new sales to strategic vision and direction. For her, being in this business is more than a job. It's a calling. "I love being in the BSC industry because I am a big champion of sustainability," she said, "and I believe that we as an industry prevent the spread of disease. If you look back in history, you will notice that people significantly began to live longer when we found sanitization. My mother is highly sensitive to traditional cleaning chemicals, and I am allergic to tobacco. So, for us, to contribute to the world of cleaning for health means a lot to our family."

Still, there are obstacles to overcome nearly every day. Bands listed the current political climate with legislators "constantly adding to our costs with their decisions" to internal issues such as finding a reliable crew in a remote area among her most immediate challenges. "With minimum wage in Maryland on the rise," she added, "it's hard to attract and retain talented individuals because so many other companies outside of our industry are offering more money for easier work."

During such challenging times, she draws on the advice she has received over the years from her family and colleagues. "A friend in the industry gave me a very important piece of advice that has always stuck with me," she recalled. "He said if you’re in business long enough you will experience big successes and sometimes big failures. Everyone's had that day where you feel defeated, but it is how you handle the situation that makes you a true leader."

She added, "He called it 'emotional callusing' when you make it through that tough time, and realize that you are going to come out stronger than you were before. Next time you’re in a similar situation, you'll know how to handle it better."

Bands has further honed her leadership skills by serving as President of the BSCAI's Mid-Atlantic Chapter (MAC) this past year and for 2018. She says BSCAI MAC "has given me a broader perspective of the industry, but on the local level. It has also given me the opportunity to practice my leadership skills and enhance my executive role in my company."

And, of course, she has hopes of stepping up to President of MCS one day and taking the reins herself. But all in good time. "Hammering out a succession plan involves a lot of conversation and honesty," she concluded. "A friend at BSCAI once humbled me by enlightening me on how my parents were feeling as we went through the process. I am forever grateful for the opportunities my family has provided me through this company, so that conversation with a friend completely changed my attitude. The plan has to make sense for not only the retirees, [but the] successor and ultimately the company."