#73: From Burnout to Balance — Lessons from 16 Years of Cleaning Business Ownership

When Molly Moran started her eco-friendly cleaning company in 2009, she thought the only way to be successful was to hustle herself into the ground. 16 (!!!) years later, she’s grown a thriving business, built a strong culture for both employees and clients, and learned a lot of lessons, including that saying “yes” to everything comes at a cost (this was a tough one to learn 😬).

In this FRC episode, Stephanie and Molly chat about the realities of scaling a cleaning company, from hiring mistakes, integrity issues, building systems, managing managers, and creating a culture that lasts even when you step away from the business. Molly also shares how she moved from burning the candle at both ends to leading her team as a “head coach,” focusing on growth, appreciation, and values-driven leadership.

📌 What You’ll Learn:

— Why saying “yes” to every client request can break your business

— The moment Molly decided to give up commercial night work (and how it literally saved her sanity)

— How to build a company culture that survives when you’re not physically there to enforce it

— The most expensive leadership mistake Molly ever made and how to avoid it

— Why trusting your gut when hiring can save you $$$

— How to systematize appreciation and keep your team motivated long-term

Resources Mentioned:

— Carrot (Employee Recognition Software): https://www.qarrots.com/

— Maid Summit (Free Training Event): https://www.maidsummit.com

— ZenMaid Scheduling Software: https://get.zenmaid.com/

— ZenMaid Mastermind Facebook Group (free): https://www.facebook.com/groups/zenmaidmastermind

Try ZenMaid free for 14 days! Get.ZenMaid.com

Book a Consulting call with Stephanie: https://serene-clean.com/consulting-services/

🎙 Listen to the Podcast:

📖 Read the full transcript: [Link]