Filthy Rich Cleaners: The Cleaning Business Podcast

Can you wear your heart on your sleeve and run a business at the same time? The answer is no, but that doesn't mean you can't still lead with compassion and care for your employees and clients 
In this episode of Filthy Rich Cleaners, Stephanie chats with Kimberley Crockett, the owner of Clean Keepers in Athens, Georgia. Kimberley shares how she started her cleaning business at the beginning of COVID — Spring 2020 — when the restaurant she bartended at full-time shut down. She had previously cleaned as a small side hustle and needed a new plan, and, amazingly, it took off!
Five years into her business, Kimberley joins the podcast to talk about the emotional side of cleaning business ownership, including how she balances compassion with leadership and how this business is all about the pursuit of helping others. They talk about Kimberley's experiences of leading with heart while also making the tough calls that come with managing employees and clients.
 What You’ll Learn:— How to lead with empathy while setting clear boundaries as a business owner— The role of compassion in client retention and employee satisfaction— Why being emotionally connected with your team leads to better service and a stronger company culture, but also when to draw a line between friend and boss— Why having the courage to help others, even when it’s not required, creates a memorable, positive impact
Resources Mentioned:— Maid Summit (Free Training Event): https://www.maidsummit.com— ZenMaid Scheduling Software: https://get.zenmaid.com/— ZenMaid Mastermind Facebook Group (free): /zenmaidmastermind
 
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days: Get.ZenMaid.com
 Book a Consulting Call with Stephanie: https://serene-clean.com/consulting-s...
 
 Read the full transcript: [LINK]

Do you know any cleaning business owners who skip the mop completely and don't actually clean anything themselves? Many times, people start out as cleaners and work their way up, or open their own business entirely, but there are some people who start out with the intention of never personally doing any cleaning. This is when they turn to independent contractors (ICs) instead of full-time employees. On paper, it sounds great — flexible staffing, no payroll taxes, and no scrubbing toilets yourself. But what’s the reality of running your business this way, and can you actually do this for the long haul?
 
In this solo episode, Stephanie talks about the real challenges (and, more importantly, risks) of starting and growing a cleaning business without cleaning yourself and relying on ICs. She shares the three operational areas where IC-run companies often struggle most — training, quality control, and communication — and offers practical, logical, and legal (!) tips to keep your business running smoothly.
 
📌 What You’ll Learn:
— The biggest legal and operational challenges of running your cleaning business with independent contractors
— Why ICs can be great (speed and availability) but risky (insurance, liabilities, etc.)
— How to ensure training and quality control when you can’t “train” ICs yourself
— Ways to build in fill-in coverage for last-minute cancellations
— How to stay reliable so clients see the value in your company's pricing
— Communication systems that work when you can’t be on-call 24/7
 
Resources Mentioned:
— 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:
🎧 Spotify: [Link]
🎧 Apple Podcasts: [Link]
📖 Read the full transcript: [Link]

Honest feedback can be hard to give — and it's often even harder to receive. In this Filthy Rich Cleaners episode, Stephanie is joined by leadership expert and author Mike Robbins to talk about how to lead with empathy and create an honest, emotionally safe work environment, especially in an industry with high turnover like cleaning. He and Stephanie discuss the right way to go about level-setting with your team and share instances of mistakes and learnings. They also share tips to encourage an open dialogue and promote a culture of honesty within the business, even when it's easier to hide a mistake.
What You’ll Learn:— The 3-step emotional process your team goes through when you give them feedback— How to set boundaries, especially when work life and personal life are crossing over too hard, without breaking trust or compassion— Why sharing your own mistakes can actually build culture and retain your employees— The difference between recognition and appreciation (and why you need both)— How to avoid toxic positivity while also staying optimistic— Tips for giving difficult feedback
Resources Mentioned:— Mike Robbins’ website: https://mike-robbins.com— ZenMaid Scheduling Software: https://get.zenmaid.com/— Maid Summit (Free Training Event): https://www.maidsummit.com— ZenMaid Mastermind Facebook Group (free): facebook.com/groups/zenmaidmastermind
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days! http://Get.ZenMaid.com
 Book a Consulting call with Stephanie: https://serene-clean.com/consulting-services/
 Read the full transcript: [Link]

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/