When Julie Robinson was growing up, her father would often talk about his job as a retail manager at the family dinner table.
Robinson was inspired by those conversations, but never suspected she’d follow so closely in his footsteps, first by going into retail and then taking over the company he brought to Phoenix.
Robinson, 49, is president of Jani-King Southwest, a master franchise of custodial giant Jani-King International.The company, which she co-owns with her mother, is in charge of Jani-King’s Arizona franchises, recruiting new owners, contracting with clients and providing business services to the more than 250 franchises throughout the state.
When Robinson was studying marketing at Indiana University, her father began working for Jani-King, which provides custodial services for commercial buildings.
He opened the company’s New Orleans office and, later, its offices in California. Her mother worked as an office manager.
Meanwhile, Robinson began managing stores for a women’s clothing chain near Minneapolis. Read more.
Photo: Michael McNamara / The Arizona Republic.