Filthy Rich Cleaners: The Cleaning Business Podcast

Even cleaning businesses with raving reviews and A–Z checklists still face nightmare scenarios. Think after-hours emails, upset clients, confused employees, and "Oh no, what the hell do we do now?" conversations. In this episode, our host Stephanie shares a recent (and horrific) scenario after a cleaning at an existing client's new property. Emotions were high with the client's upcoming family visit and personal challenges, and Stephanie's team had to make it right. Hear how her team navigated the chaos without burning bridges or backing down, as well as how they used it as a learning lesson moving forward.What You’ll Learn :
When you should and shouldn't reply to after-hours customer emails (and what to do instead)
The best way to deliver client complaints to your team
Why your “cleaning checklist” could be creating dissatisfied customers
What to do when clients need reparations ASAP
How to document problems, de-escalate, and still come out with lessons learned
How Serene Clean enforces quality standards for employees
Resources Mentioned:— Maid Summit (Free Training Event): https://www.maidsummit.com— ZenMaid Scheduling Software: https://get.zenmaid.com/— ZenMaid Mastermind Facebook Group (free to join): https://www.facebook.com/groups/zenmaidmastermindTry ZenMaid free for 14 days! Get.ZenMaid.comBook a Consulting call with Stephanie: https://serene-clean.com/consulting-services/ Read the full transcript: https://www.zenmaid.com/magazine/when-misaligned-expectations-lead-to-angry-client-emails/

Think you need a business degree to excel in the cleaning industry? Hannah Sutton proves otherwise. After 16 years in healthcare, she found her calling at Serene Clean - and now trains the next generation of cleaning professionals. Discover how proper training systems, quality control, and company culture can transform your cleaning business from chaos to excellence.What You'll Learn:
Why healthcare professionals are naturally drawn to cleaning businesses
The specific green and red flags to watch for when training new cleaners
How to build training systems that ensure consistency across your team
Quality assurance strategies that prevent complaints before they happen
Why company culture matters more than competitive wages for retention
How to handle difficult situations and maintain safety in the field
The importance of empathy and professionalism when cleaning challenging homes
Systems for managing commercial accounts and maintaining client relationships
Resources Mentioned:
ZenMaid scheduling software and SOS feature: https://get.zenmaid.com/
Cleaning for a Reason charity organization
ZenMaid Mastermind Facebook Group (free to join): https://www.facebook.com/groups/zenmaidmastermind
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days! Get.ZenMaid.comBook a Consulting call with Stephanie: https://serene-clean.com/consulting-services/
Read the full transcript: https://www.zenmaid.com/magazine/why-this-healthcare-worker-ditched-her-real-job-for-cleaning-and-never-looked-back/

Think tracking KPIs is overwhelming? Stephanie breaks down exactly which metrics will transform your cleaning business from guesswork to data-driven success. From basic profit tracking to advanced client lifetime value calculations, discover the specific numbers that separate thriving cleaning companies from those flying blind.What You'll Learn:
Why weekly P&L tracking is your business security blanket
The magic 40-45% payroll percentage that keeps you profitable
How to spot supply theft and misuse through simple tracking
Client lifetime value calculations that reveal retention problems
Revenue breakdown strategies that pinpoint exactly where money is lost
The cleaner utilization rate formula for maximizing your team's productivity
Why tracking hourly rates (even for flat-rate clients) is non-negotiable
Simple spreadsheet systems that soothe business owner anxiety
Resources Mentioned:
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
QuickBooks Online accounting software
Stripe and Square payment processors
ZenMaid Mastermind Facebook Group (free to join)
Gusto Payroll Software
Atomic Habits by James Clear
The Power of Habit book
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days! Get.ZenMaid.comRead the full transcript: https://www.zenmaid.com/magazine/the-numbers-that-actually-matter-for-your-cleaning-business/

What happens when an immigration consultant discovers the cleaning industry is the perfect pathway to the American Dream? In this episode, Stephanie sits down with Julie Lesage, who specializes in helping international investors start cleaning businesses through E2 visas. From her own pandemic pivot to cleaning full-time to building an affiliate network across the US, Julie shares the unique challenges and opportunities of launching cleaning companies for newcomers to America.What You'll Learn:
Why cleaning businesses are ideal for E2 investor visas
How to manage W-2 employees remotely before owners arrive in the US
The cultural differences that make Canadian business owners exceptional employers
Smart backup planning for staff and client cancellations
How concept-based training beats rigid checklists every time
Why cancellation fees can fund charity cleanings (genius move!)
The surprising states international investors gravitate toward
Resources Mentioned:
Clean Logic E2 Visa Services
ZenMaid Software: https://get.zenmaid.com/
Homebase HR App
Cleaning for a Reason: https://cleaningforareason.org/
Try ZenMaid free for 14 daysRead the full transcript: https://www.zenmaid.com/magazine/from-immigration-consultant-to-cleaning-empire-builder/

What happens when your biggest fear as a leader is being misunderstood? In this solo episode, Stephanie gets real about the constant push and pull between wanting to be understood and needing to make confident decisions as a business owner. Fresh back from Barcelona with the ZenMaid team (and some serious luggage drama), she dives deep into why explaining the "why" behind your decisions is crucial for buy-in, but over-explaining can make you look weak and defensive. From mop bucket mutinies to price increase psychology, Stephanie shares how to communicate with confidence while accepting that some people will misinterpret your intentions no matter what you do.
What You'll Learn:
Why "because I said so" leadership kills team buy-in (and what to do instead)
The psychology behind price increase communications that clients actually embrace
How to explain your decisions without sounding defensive or insecure
Why some people will intentionally misunderstand you (and how to handle it)
The art of proactive communication that prevents drama before it starts
🔗 Resources Mentioned:
Start With Why by Simon Sinek
Radical Candor by Kim Scott
ZenMaid Software: https://get.zenmaid.com/
Maid Summit (free registration): Register here
🎧 Listen to the podcast:
Spotify: Listen here
Apple Podcasts: Listen here
📝 Read the full transcript: Read here

Most cleaning business owners know their funnel could be better, but where do you even start?
In this episode, Katie Jenks of Serene Clean joins Stephanie Pipkin to unpack the real-world funnel transformation that helped Serene Clean fill its calendar fast. From low-converting forms to forgettable follow-ups, Stephanie shares the exact changes she made with Katie’s help to plug the leaks, and the numbers to prove it worked.
They break down every part of the funnel: website tweaks, lead magnets, automations, metrics, and mindset. This isn’t theory, it’s the behind-the-scenes of a cleaning company that went from silent inboxes to booked-out schedules.
If you’ve ever wondered what actually moves the needle in your marketing funnel, this episode is your blueprint.
🎯 Key Takeaways:
How Katie identified the “silent killers” inside her original funnel
What finally made her website start converting—not just existing
Stephanie’s advice that led to higher-quality leads and faster bookings
Why Serene Clean ditched the fluff and doubled down on simplicity
The small email tweak that changed everything
How to track what’s working (without feeling overwhelmed by data)
🔗 Resources mentioned:
Cosulting - Stephanie Pipkin
👀 Try ZenMaid free for 14 days!https://get.zenmaid.com
🎧 Listen to the podcast:
Spotify: Episode 55 
Apple Podcasts: Episode 55 
📖 Read the full transcript:https://www.zenmaid.com/magazine/double-your-bookings-with-katie-stephanies-cleaning-funnel-fixes/

Hiring doesn’t have to be painful or regretful.
In this episode, ZenMaid’s Stephanie Pipkin shares the exact hiring system she built to train and retain a 7-figure cleaning team without complaints, micromanagement, or drama. You’ll hear the hard lessons behind her transition from solo cleaner to true CEO, and how she rebuilt her business with freedom, boundaries, and a culture that runs itself.
This isn’t theory. It’s the actual step-by-step hiring process Stephanie used to go from overwhelmed to in control, and she’s handing it over to you.
If you’re tired of wasting time on interviews that go nowhere, struggling to find people who stay, or constantly jumping back into the field... this episode will shift everything.
🎯 Key Takeaways:
The biggest mistake most cleaning owners make when hiring (and how to fix it)
How Stephanie uses “level-based accountability” to stop micromanaging
Why she stopped hiring people who “just want a job”
Her 4-part retention formula that works even when you’re not watching
A simple system to train faster and increase loyalty
The mindset shift that turned her into a true CEO
🔗 Resources mentioned:
Cosulting - Stephanie Pipkin
The Level-Based Accountability Framework
ZenMaid
👀 Try ZenMaid free for 14 days!https://get.zenmaid.com
🎧 Listen to the podcast:
Spotify: Episode 54 (link placeholder)
Apple Podcasts: Episode 54 (link placeholder)
📖 Read the full transcript:https://www.zenmaid.com/magazine/stop-the-turnover-spiral-how-to-build-a-drama-free-dream-team/

Most cleaning businesses struggle with hiring. But what if your biggest bottleneck wasn’t finding people, it was how you were filtering them?
In this episode, Stephanie sits down with industry veteran Juan Chaparro, founder of Gmaids and creator of PipeHire, to unpack how he and his wife Karen accidentally started a cleaning company at age 20, scaled it remotely from Colombia and Miami, and built a thriving culture using only W-2 employees.
Juan reveals the hiring disaster that forced him to invent PipeHire, how their business runs with zero office visits, and the core values that keep their team loyal, efficient, and happy, even across time zones.
Whether you’re drowning in Indeed resumes, debating IC vs. employee, or dreaming of managing from the beach, this one’s for you.
🎯 Key Takeaways:
Why independent contractors might be costing you more than employees
How Juan replaced his entire IC team with W-2s—and kept scaling
The remote company playbook: managing a team without ever stepping into the office
How PipeHire filters applicants before they hit your calendar
The 5 values that drive loyalty and retention at Gmaids
Essential oils, culture workshops, and the surprising secret to glowing reviews
🔗 Resources mentioned:
PipeHire: Hiring Software for Cleaning Companies
Panorama Conferencia
Gmaids Green Cleaning Services
Juan Chaparro’s Website
👀 Try ZenMaid free for 14 days!https://get.zenmaid.com
🎧 Listen to the podcast:
Spotify: Episode 53 (link placeholder)
Apple Podcasts: Episode 53 (link placeholder)
📖 Read the full transcript:https://www.zenmaid.com/magazine/from-accidental-startup-to-remote-empire-juan-chaparro-on-culture-w-2s-pipehire/

Every cleaning business has expenses that quietly eat into profits. Insurance policies you set and forget. Training steps that slip over time. Processes that used to work but don’t anymore.
In this episode, Stephanie shares how she uncovered over $10,000 in annual savings by auditing Serene Clean’s insurance and why taking a hard look at all your costs and policies is essential. She also explains how her team improves training and policies when complaints come in, making sure small problems don’t grow into big ones.
 
Key Takeaways:
How Stephanie saved over $10,000 a year on insurance
Why “set it and forget it” costs can wreck your margins
How to audit and renegotiate policies for real savings
Using customer complaints to improve training and quality
Making your policies living documents that evolve with your business
Building a culture of accountability (without micromanaging)
🔗 Resources mentioned:
-ZenMaid (of course 😉)
https://get.zenmaid.com/
-Penn National Insurance (for dividend-based workers comp policies)
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days!
 
Book a consulting call with Stephanie: https://serene-clean.com/consulting-services/
 
🎧 Listen to the podcast:
Spotify: [link to your Spotify episode]
Apple Podcasts: [link to your Apple Podcasts episode]
📝 Read the full transcript: [LINK]

Ever wonder what it takes to go from cleaning tech to essential operations leader in your cleaning business? In this candid episode, Stephanie sits down with April West Serene Clean’s payroll administrator, accounts manager, and longtime right hand.They share honest stories about extreme cleans (the Cat House! the Chicken House!), the reality of managing call-outs, building sustainable company culture, and learning to set boundaries with clients. April reflects on joining Serene Clean as a part-time technician with triplets at home and growing into her critical role today, all while keeping a sense of humor about the industry’s messy realities.Key Takeaways in this Episode:
Why flexibility beats high wages for attracting long-term staff
How to nurture part-timers into loyal team members
Setting clear boundaries with clients (and each other)
The messy, hilarious truths of extreme cleans
Improving training, onboarding, and quality control as you scale
How software choices (ZenMaid, Gusto, Trainual) made admin easier
Balancing mission, culture, and accountability in a growing team
 Resources mentioned:
ZenMaid. https://get.zenmaid.com/
Serene Clean Consulting. https://serene-clean.com/consulting-services
 Try ZenMaid free for 14 days: ZenMaid Free Trial
 Read the full transcript: Blog post