Blue Chip Maintenance: Setting New Standards in Maintenance and Property Care

Building Blue Chip from a 25-Year Friendship and Shared Vision:

Blue Chip Maintenance was born out of a long-standing friendship between Ananth Ganesan and his business partner, Matthew King, who met over 25 years ago during their time with Cutco. After years in management roles with the company, the two friends decided to bring their expertise in sales and management to the maintenance industry. “We started as a small team operating out of a house in Tampa, with just a handful of employees and a big vision,” Ananth recalls. Over time, Blue Chip grew from handling a few work orders weekly to servicing thousands of homes each year, creating a legacy of reliable and efficient property maintenance.

A Culture of Integrity and Continuous Improvement:

Blue Chip Maintenance is built on a strong culture defined by four pillars: integrity, accountability, continuous improvement, and bringing the fire. Ananth explains, “These values weren’t created by me alone; they were shaped by our first team members, and they still guide how we hire, train, and make decisions.” This focus on core values has helped foster a motivated and cohesive team, many of whom started in entry-level roles and grew into leadership positions. By investing in training and development, Blue Chip not only maintains a high standard of service but also supports employees in reaching their potential.

A Streamlined Approach to Maintenance Services:

Blue Chip Maintenance stands out in the industry by offering an all-in-one solution for property managers, including licensed plumbing, HVAC, and build-back services. “Our goal is to make the resident’s life easier by being a one-stop solution,” Ananth explains. This approach allows the company to handle multiple aspects of maintenance efficiently, reducing the need for multiple vendors and minimizing disruption for residents. Blue Chip’s commitment to quality, speed, and pricing gives clients confidence in consistent, top-tier service across their properties.

Overcoming Challenges:

The journey hasn’t been without its obstacles. In 2023, Blue Chip faced a challenging year as profits tightened amid a fluctuating real estate market. The company experienced its first red year on the P&L, which required a strategic re-evaluation. “It was tough to realize we needed to refocus and cut back on unnecessary expenses,” Ananth recalls. Through a renewed commitment to efficiency and a focus on serving clients more effectively, the company emerged stronger. They leaned into their team’s strengths, kept their core values at the forefront, and are now on track for a profitable 2024.

What It Means to Be and Honoree:

Being named a GrowFL honoree is a meaningful recognition for Ananth and the entire Blue Chip team. “This award represents the hard work, resilience, and dedication that everyone has put into this company,” Ananth shares. For Blue Chip, the recognition is not only an affirmation of their success but also a celebration of the people who have been with the company from its humble beginnings in a Tampa house to its position as an industry leader.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs:

Ananth’s advice for entrepreneurs is both practical and philosophical: “Fall in love with the process, not just the outcome, and focus on what you can control every day.” Drawing from personal experience, he emphasizes that success requires resilience and a willingness to adapt to unexpected challenges. By focusing on the daily actions that move the business forward, Ananth believes entrepreneurs can find fulfillment, regardless of the immediate outcome.

Notable Community Involvement:

Blue Chip Maintenance values community support and workforce development. The company actively partners with SCORE to help new businesses and also collaborates with military transition programs to recruit veterans into project management roles. This dedication to mentorship and skills training is central to Blue Chip’s mission, allowing them to build a skilled workforce that contributes to the community and supports their growing client base across multiple states.