Her Story
About Anya
Anya V. Ripke is an accomplished business development and customer relations executive with more than 14 years of experience driving revenue growth, strengthening client partnerships, and delivering exceptional customer experiences in the commercial facility services industry. As Director of Growth & Customer Relations at 5 STAR 5, Inc., she leads strategic initiatives focused on business development, sales growth, customer success, client retention, and relationship management. Her leadership combines a customer-first philosophy with a results-driven approach that has played a key role in the company's continued growth and long-term success.
Before joining the executive leadership team, Anya spent nearly 14 years as a Sales & Account Manager at 5 STAR 5, Inc., where she consistently ranked among the company's top sales performers for more than five consecutive years. Throughout her career, she has built lasting relationships with property managers, building owners, and commercial clients across the Pacific Northwest, earning a reputation for responsiveness, integrity, and delivering customized solutions that exceed expectations. Her expertise includes strategic sales, account management, customer retention, proposal development, contract negotiations, team leadership, and creating exceptional client experiences that foster long-term partnerships.
Anya began her professional career in the hospitality industry after earning an Associate of Arts in Business Management from Bellevue College and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Hospitality Management from South Seattle College. The principles of hospitality—service excellence, attention to detail, and putting customers first—continue to shape her leadership style and her commitment to building trusted, long-lasting business relationships.
As a woman and an immigrant whose first language is not English, Anya understands the value of perseverance, resilience, and believing in yourself. She credits much of her success to the encouragement of a mentor who inspired her to embrace her strengths, work hard, and never allow self-doubt to limit her potential. Those lessons continue to guide her leadership philosophy and professional journey.
Anya believes that integrity, honesty, accountability, and following through on commitments are the foundation of effective leadership and lasting business relationships. She is a strong advocate for teamwork, believing that the greatest results are achieved when people collaborate, support one another, and work toward a common goal. She is committed to leading with integrity, always putting her clients' needs first, and delivering exceptional service with honesty, transparency, and professionalism. Anya values every client relationship, recognizing that trust is earned through consistent communication, reliability, and exceeding expectations. She is also passionate about mentoring others and empowering women pursuing careers in business and sales, encouraging them to embrace new opportunities, trust their abilities, and never underestimate what they are capable of achieving.
Through visionary leadership, a passion for service, and an unwavering commitment to teamwork, client satisfaction, and continuous improvement, Anya continues to drive organizational success by building meaningful client relationships, developing high-performing teams, and creating sustainable business growth. She believes that lasting success is built on integrity, collaboration, and a genuine commitment to understanding and meeting each client's unique needs.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Anya
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the unwavering support of my family and the strong work ethic they instilled in me. Their encouragement has given me the confidence to pursue my goals, while dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence have driven my personal and professional growth. I also believe that genuine success comes from loving what you do. When you are passionate about your work, it becomes more than just a job—it becomes a source of purpose, motivation, and fulfillment. I encourage everyone to discover what they are naturally good at, pursue it with confidence, and never be afraid to follow their passion. Success is built through consistent effort, resilience, a positive attitude, and the support of those who believe in you. I am grateful for the foundation my family has provided throughout my journey, and I strive every day to do work that I truly enjoy and that makes a meaningful difference.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received came from my boss and mentor: Believe in yourself, believe in your potential, and never stop learning. They taught me that every challenge is an opportunity to grow, every setback is a lesson, and every experience is a chance to become better. They encouraged me to embrace feedback, continuously develop my skills, and never become complacent.
As a woman and an immigrant whose first language is not English, I experienced moments of self-doubt early in my career. Their unwavering belief in me gave me the confidence to trust my abilities, work hard, and never allow others to define my potential. They showed me that confidence, perseverance, resilience, and a strong work ethic can overcome any obstacle.
Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my career and continue to shape both my leadership style and personal growth. They serve as a constant reminder that there are no limits to what you can achieve when you believe in yourself, remain committed to learning, and never stop striving to become the best version of yourself.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to believe in yourself and never underestimate your potential. Don't let rejection, challenges, or setbacks define your path—they are opportunities to learn, grow, and become stronger. Stay focused on your goals, work hard, continue learning, and have confidence in your abilities. Success doesn't happen overnight, but with determination, resilience, and a strong work ethic, you can achieve far more than you ever imagined. Never be afraid to take on new challenges, speak up, and pursue the opportunities you deserve.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest strengths of the commercial cleaning industry is its long-term stability. Businesses, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and other organizations will always require professional cleaning services—a reality that became even more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, the industry presents its own set of challenges, including intense competition, workforce retention, and the ongoing need to build lasting client relationships while differentiating your business in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are integrity, honesty, hard work, reliability, and accountability. I believe trust is earned by consistently following through on commitments, honoring my word, and delivering on promises. These core principles guide every aspect of my life, shaping both my professional relationships and my personal interactions. They serve as the foundation for building lasting partnerships, earning respect, and achieving meaningful success.
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