Chuck Stowe’s story was never one of overnight success. It was built through hard work, resilience, taking chances and an unwavering belief that when you didn’t know the answer, you do whatever it takes.
When a client asked back in the early days if Chuck could clean a commercial building, he didn’t hesitate. He famously jumped on the opportunity and said,
From that single “yes” OctoClean was born. What started as a way to keep a roof over his family’s head evolved into a movement that has created genuine opportunity, stability, and business ownership for hundreds of franchise owners.
In this tribute, Chuck tells part of his story in his own words.
Through clips captured during the filming of the OctoClean documentary, he reflects on building the company alongside his family, watching his sons grow within the business and why family remained at the center of everything he built.
Today, these moments mean even more to us. They allow us to hear his voice, remember his perspective and preserve a piece of Chuck’s story for the generations that follow.
For Chuck, business was always intertwined with family.
His family worked alongside him in OctoClean’s earliest days, and his sons grew up learning the business firsthand. Over the years, Chuck watched something that began as a way to provide for his family become something they would eventually help lead and carry forward.
Of everything he accomplished, that was among the things that made him proudest.
“It makes me proud as a parent to see how they’ve excelled. I couldn’t have done it without family.
I take that back. I could have done it without family, but I wouldn’t have wanted to.”
— Chuck
Lesson 1
Throughout his life and business ventures, Chuck lived by a simple, unwavering philosophy whenever faced with the unknown: “We will figure it out.”
“In the afterglow of a win, we would sit across from each other and nonverbally exclaim, ‘Now what?’ and without fail it would dribble out of his mouth… ‘We will figure it out.’ We always did… OctoClean would not be what it is today without ‘figuring it out.”
Lesson 2
Chuck had a rare, fearless grit. He wasn’t afraid to take on new ventures or face set-backs, seeing every obstacle not as a defeat, but as essential preparation for the next grand entrance.
“What’s missing these days is that kind of courage. My dad had a lot of nerve taking the risks he did… I thank my dad for being a stubborn, hard-ass that believes success comes from hard work and a dream.”
Lesson 3
Chuck’s legendary work ethic was forged in the fires of personal effort. Early on, he taught his sons that if you want something done right, you put in the hard work yourself. But over time, that strong work ethic evolved into a deeper lesson: building a team, trusting people, and empowering others to succeed.
“Trust people and they will surprise you. You are not alone…”
Chuck’s entrepreneurial journey was defined by persistence, resourcefulness and a willingness to keep going when the path forward wasn’t obvious.
To carry that spirit forward, the Charles Stowe “Whatever It Takes” Business Scholarship was established at the California Baptist University School of Business in his memory.
The scholarship supports future business leaders as they pursue their education, develop their ideas and prepare to create opportunities of their own.
It is a fitting continuation of something Chuck believed throughout his life: sometimes all someone needs is an opportunity—and the determination to make something of it.
Chuck will be remembered as OctoClean’s founder, but his legacy reaches far beyond the company he built.
He was a husband, father, grandfather, entrepreneur, mentor and a man who believed deeply in hard work, family and giving people a chance.
We carry his legacy forward every time we choose courage over fear, help someone else succeed and face the unknown with the confidence to say:
“We’ll figure it out.”
His story started with an opportunity. His legacy continues through the opportunities we create for others.
