Vantage: A position, condition, or place affording some
advantage or a commanding view.

The Vantage Team

Skip Johnson- 6’5”, Good Looking, Loves Golf
Justin Olson- 6’7”, Good Looking, Loves Golf
Bob Barlau- 6’3.25”, Good Looking, Loves Golf

When we formed Vantage Companies, we founded the company on three main principles; the owners must be tall, good looking, and love golf. Although these attributes are true, we have a partnership that actually works so well because of our differences. 

Skip Johnson, VP sales/ marketing- brings big picture thinking, unshakeable confidence that we can do anything, expertise in branding and sales, and enough of an ego to continue to bet Justin in golf even after he has lost 46 consecutive times (Justin doesn’t mind).

Justin Olson, VP of Operations- brings meticulous attention to detail, a wealth of knowledge in window cleaning, and enough height to reach most window without a ladder.  He also regularly hits a Pro V1 350 yards which never ceases to amaze Bob, or disgust Skip (who is just jealous).

Bob Barlau, VP of Finance- makes us laugh.  A lot!  He also does a great job of making sure the money is taken care of, and really overseeing everything in the business.  Bob is our CFO, and keeps Justin and Skip in line.  If you visit with Bob during a window cleaning job, you will not only have really clean windows, you will also have a new nickname (or two).

When Justin was finishing up with high school in Lakeville, Minnesota in 2004 his mother Michelle gave him an excellent idea. Start a window cleaning business. Justin thought this would be a great way to earn some money before college, and Michelle thought it would be a great way to get him out of her basement.

After a few weeks of reading online window cleaning forums and trial and error on moms windows Justin was referred his first client. Things apparently went well because he got another referral and another. In fact, he was getting so many referrals he decided that telling people about his business (aka sales & marketing) was not necessary. Things started to go so well that Justin decided to buy himself a Nissan Altima! Yes, it is true. Justin thought it would be a good idea to run his window cleaning business—ladders and all—out of a family sedan. Hmmm, what an interesting business strategy. Somehow things continued to grow year after year as clients kept calling Justin for another window cleaning appointment and telling their friends how good it was.

 A couple years down the road in the spring of 2006, two young men (Skip & Bob)—by Divine appointment—happened to meet Justin at the local Caribou. Well, maybe Divine appointment is not the proper term. Bob & Skip were on their way to Wednesday night church, and were running a few minutes late. They figured as long as they were already late, they should probably stop at Caribou and get coffee to make sure they were alert during service. In somewhat of a comical situation Bob, Skip, and Justin began their friendship.

Window cleaning was not the first things on our mind. Our first mission was building a team in the network marketing industry. This was an incredible benefit to the three of them. Most of their time was dedicated to reading every book on business, leadership, sales, people skills and the list goes on. By investing so much time learning they were really preparing themselves to step into the business world and do something huge. So naturally we chose… drum roll please… window cleaning! 

Window cleaning was chosen to be our first foray into the world of big business.  The circumstances of deciding to further Justin’s business happened quite by accident.  First, Skip got his butt spanked by the real estate market, and a humbling role reversal happened.  Justin—once Skip’s (taller) understudy—now became his employer as he worked jobs in the morning to help pay the bills. 

Skip saw client after client be impressed, and saw a schedule fill up based on referrals only.  He correctly deduced that if the business was marketed (a very novel idea), and the same excellence in work remained, that there was a market that would support a big business. 

Somehow Bob entered the picture as a partner in the business, and the fun began (really… we have no clue how he got involved, but he makes life a lot of fun—especially with the nicknames he gives everything.)    The winter of 2007 was spent at Skip’s kitchen table and in Justin’s basement (Again… sorry Michelle!) brainstorming. 

We chose to think really, really big; and really, really small.  Our big thinking has us envisioning being the premiere window cleaning business in the high-end residential market all across the country.  Our small thinking helps us to focus on being personable and in touch with our clients making sure that you enjoying the experience as much as the clean windows.