Ariane Kirkpatrick

Ariane Kirkpatrick is the owner and president of The AKA Team. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, The AKA Team is a full service commercial construction and facilities company that partners with its clients to provide collaborative management and construction services via their commercial waterproofing self-performing and construction management divisions. The company’s mission is to provide superior construction solutions in an innovative environment through the company motto – Always Known A s the TEAM you can depend on.  

 

Entrepreneurship was ingrained in Ariane at an early age. The year 1969 made quite an impression on Ariane Kirkpatrick. She vividly remembers being five years old and boycotting the neighborhood McDonald's with her family because African-Americans were banned from owning franchises. She attempted several businesses from a copy and printing business, restaurant and residential rehab business. In between her time as a business owner Ariane was the Chief of Housing for the City of Warrensville Heights Building Department where she received several accolades for her commitment to the housing industry, as well as performing building inspections for commercial and residential buildings.  

 

Ariane’s dream was to always go into business with her family. That dream came true in 2007 when her sister and brother-in-law became franchise owners of ServiceMaster by Davis, a cleaning service. ServiceMaster had the honor of servicing President Barack Obama's Campaign for Change airplane early one morning in August 2008 during the campaign. A call for business later in the month from Joe Biden's crew proved it was a job well done. ServiceMaster by Davis was recognized in 2008, along with Wal-Mart and General Colin Powell by the National Urban League with the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. In 2009, Ariane made the decision to start yet another endeavor which has proven to be successful. The AKA Team has worked on several projects such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Medical Mart Convention Center, Flats East Bank, CMHA Administration Building and many more. Ariane had the opportunity to sit with President Obama at the Winning the Future Forum held in Cleveland and discuss obstacles that affect small businesses. With the advice of the President, Ariane has found ways to increase her business. 

 

Ariane is very involved in the spirit of community and is a true lover of the City of Cleveland. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies at Cleveland State University and is alumni of Cuyahoga Community College, where she was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa and a proud Warrensville Heights Tiger Alum. Her proudest accomplishment is being the mother of two sons, Ali and Kristopher, and she is the proud wife of Danny Couch and has two step stepdaughters, Camille and Jazmine. While the journey isn't complete, Ariane realizes that both she and the business world have come a long way since 1969.