Sonia Garg’s career pivot from high-tech to hands-on entrepreneurship is a compelling story of vision, values, and impact. A former computer engineer at Hewlett-Packard and IBM, she chose to leave the corporate world to raise her daughter, Kavya. Seeking more flexibility and fulfillment, she found an unexpected path through franchising—launching an Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning business in Seattle in July 2022.
Garg now oversees seven thriving territories across the region, drawn not only to Oxi Fresh’s eco-friendly, fast-drying services but also to the franchise’s streamlined operations and values-driven model. For Garg, franchising offered more than just a career change. It became a way to contribute meaningfully to her community while maintaining balance at home.
A core part of her mission is offering second chances. She has hired and mentored young adults facing significant life challenges, including homelessness. One employee credits Garg’s support with helping him turn his life around—a testament to the broader impact her franchise has beyond clean carpets.
As a woman- and minority-owned business, Garg sees her role as both empowering and humbling. She continues to prioritize mentorship, inclusive hiring, and community connection as key elements of her business growth. With over 460 Oxi Fresh locations in the U.S. and Canada, her story reflects the evolving role of franchisees as both business leaders and local change-makers.
