Business advice for my younger self? Start earlier, but don’t forget your roots
What began as a side hustle alongside a full-time career has grown into a commercial cleaning business servicing 40 offices across Melbourne.
For KPAC’s Managing Director, Stephen Kalpakian, the business has been built on service, reliability and a willingness to do things differently.
Kalpakian’s path to business ownership began in office administration.
After working his way from a traineeship with the Department of Justice into office management and operations roles, he spent 12 years managing operations for a psychology business.
It was there that he first encountered the cleaning industry.
When the business’s regular cleaner needed to travel overseas, Stephen was asked to help manage the operation.
What began as a temporary arrangement became an opportunity to start his own business.
“I started with one site,” he said.
“I was doing the work myself.”
Initially, Stephen balanced cleaning offices at night with his full-time job.
New clients came through personal connections and recommendations, with the business growing one site at a time.
By 2018, Stephen decided to quit his full-time role and focus on his cleaning business.
Today, KPAC has a team of 15 and provides commercial cleaning alongside additional services which include builders’ cleans, window cleaning, carpet cleaning and end-of-lease cleaning.
As the business grew, Stephen reconsidered what he wanted it to become.
Initially, he aimed to compete with larger commercial cleaning companies.
Over time, he decided to take a different approach.
“I still want to be that small boutique cleaning business that when a client calls, they’re calling the managing director.”
For Stephen, reliability and attention to detail are central to building long-term client relationships.
Much of KPAC’s growth has come through word of mouth, rather than active sales campaigns.
Stephen’s operations background has helped him manage the transition from doing the cleaning himself to overseeing a growing team.
His experience in administration, human resources and financial reporting has also informed how he runs the business.
As KPAC expands into new areas, Stephen is considering how better systems and processes could improve efficiency without compromising service.
Kalpakian has also found value in connecting with other business owners through Eastern Innovation’s Entrepreneur Exchange networking events.
He says the environment encourages him to think differently about his own operations.
For a business built around a traditionally straightforward service, that means looking for ways to make clients’ lives easier rather than simply completing a cleaning job.
Business ownership has also given Kalpakian greater control over how he balances work and family.
With two young children, flexibility has become an important measure of success.
“Having my own business has allowed me to be there for my children.”
Although commercial office cleaning often requires evening work, he makes a point of having dinner with his family before leaving for a job.
“It’s important to be there for the family and watch the kids grow up.”
Stephen also coaches his daughter’s basketball team and supports local sporting organisations.
Reflecting on his journey, Stephen says he would encourage his younger self to “start earlier”, while recognising that his years in administration and operations gave him the skills to run a business.
For Stephen Kalpakian, growing his business has meant more than increasing its client base.
It has involved deciding what kind of business he wants to run, remaining agile as his business’ needs change, and maintaining the personal service that helped it grow in the first place.
