Filthy Rich Cleaners: The Cleaning Business Podcast

"I went from a 5-6 day week solo business making $60K profit to the SAME profit working just 2 days a week." Former GE engineer Ken Carfagno shares the optimization strategies that transformed his cleaning business and allowed him to live the life he really wanted.
 
This episode is packed with practical wisdom on building a cleaning business that actually works for YOU instead of trapping you in a cycle of overwhelm. Learn why Ken abandoned his prestigious engineering career, how he built multiple successful cleaning businesses, and the exact framework he uses to help other cleaning business owners find freedom.
 
Key Takeaways:
The four business fundamentals every cleaning company owner needs to master
How Ken optimized his solo cleaning business to work just 2 days per week while maintaining profits
Why "knowing your numbers" is critical
The truth about commercial vs. residential cleaning: which is harder to get and easier to keep
How to price your services to attract high-value clients and increase perceived value
Mentioned in this Episode:
The Go-Giver (book by Bob Burg)
Smart Cleaning School podcast
E-Myth Revisited (book by Michael Gerber)
Josh Melton (Six Figure Cleaner)
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days!
 
Rather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog.

"I get to the house... she had filled out the checklist and said she did everything, but she didn't clean a f***ing thing." Stephanie shares the raw, unfiltered stories of her first 10 hires, from the employee who never showed up to the one who asked her to commit fraud!
 
This episode is a must-watch for anyone struggling with hiring or wondering if they'll ever find good staff. Through disaster stories and surprising successes, Stephanie proves that building a great team IS possible - even when it feels impossible.
 
Key Takeaways:
Why you might cry after your first hire (and why you shouldn't give up)
The dangers of becoming "friends" with your employees instead of their leader
How to handle staff who want to test boundaries (including outrageous requests)
Why group interviews are essential for new cleaning business owners
The mindset shift needed to grow beyond being a solo cleaner
Mentioned in this Episode:
ZenMaid Software
ZenMaid Facebook Mastermind group
ChatGPT
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days!
 
Rather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog.
 

Four months into her cleaning business venture, former teacher and social worker Gentry Hunter sits down with Stephanie for a live coaching call. Together, they explore the REAL challenges of launching 2.0 Cleaning in Austin, Texas.
 
Tune into this conversation to hear both practical advice and emotional support as Stephanie helps Gentry navigate common stumbling blocks of early entrepreneurship. They discuss everything from handling difficult client situations to determining proper labor rates for profitability - wisdom any cleaning business owner can apply.
 
Key Takeaways:
Why using your personality as your brand is crucial for new cleaning businesses
How to price residential and commercial cleanings correctly (and why most new owners charge too little)
Strategies for handling difficult employee situations
When to avoid certain types of commercial clients (like dentist offices)
Effective marketing ideas for small cleaning companies with limited budgets
Mentioned in this Episode:
ZenMaid Software
Google Local Service Ads (LSA)
Fiverr
2.0 Cleaning Instagram
2.0 Cleaning Facebook
💻 Try ZenMaid free for 14 days
 
Rather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog.

From oversharing with staff to launching a service that totally flopped (spoiler: carpet cleaning), Stephanie gets honest about the mistakes that cost her time, money, and peace of mind.
In this solo episode, she breaks down three big business regrets—plus the lessons she’s learned that will save you from making the same missteps.
If you’ve ever felt torn between “staying in your lane” and trying something new, or worried about setting boundaries with clients and staff, this one’s for you.
 
Key Takeaways:
✔️ Why gossiping (even casually) can backfire in a small business
✔️ The costly mistake of offering a service you’re not equipped to handle
✔️ How a few unpaid invoices changed her payment policy forever
✔️ Why focusing on what’s working beats chasing new ideas
 
Resources mentioned in this episode:
ZenMaid Software
Alex & Leila Hormozi
Facebook Marketplace
eBay
Stripe
Square
QuickBooks

From a neighbor’s Facebook post to managing a team of 20+, Brenna Sledge didn’t plan to start a cleaning company... but the impact she’s had since launching Busy Bees Cleaning in 2020 is no accident.
 
In this episode, Stephanie sits down with Brenna to talk about what it really means to run a purpose-driven cleaning business. They dive into community impact, vacation rental partnerships, hiring with heart, pricing lessons the hard way, and how to build a cleaning culture rooted in service — not shame.
 
If you’ve ever felt like your cleaning business could be something more, this episode will light that fire.
 
Key Takeaways:
How Brenna built a thriving business by accident during the pandemic
The do’s and don’ts of cleaning for vacation rental companies
How to set healthy boundaries with clients (even when they ask you to fish things out of a lake)
What it looks like to hire and lead with empathy
How giving back — locally and globally — can become part of your business model
Why shame has no place in the homes we clean
 
Mentioned in this Episode:
Busy Bees Cleaning Co. (Nashville, TN)
ZenMaid Software
Cleaning for a Reason
Kalos Dwellings
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days

Just because a client is “nice” doesn’t mean they’re a good fit. In this solo episode, Stephanie walks through the decision to let go of a long-standing commercial account that had become more trouble than it was worth — and breaks down the true cost of keeping bad fits on your roster.
 
From communication chaos to scope creep to straight-up budget misalignment, this is a crash course in understanding opportunity cost in your cleaning business. If you’ve been afraid to fire a client or set stronger boundaries, this episode will give you the push (and proof) you need.
 
Key Takeaways:
What “opportunity cost” really means for your cleaning business
The invisible costs of hanging onto the wrong clients
How to know when it’s time to drop an account
Why nice people can still be bad clients
How to weigh short-term discomfort against long-term growth
The difference between an ideal client and a tolerable one
Mentioned in this Episode:
ZenMaid Software
Serene Clean
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days

From finance exec to cleaning CEO, Helen of Cool Peaches Cleaning shares how she built a growing maid service using Google reviews, local networking, and a whole lot of heart. In this episode, Stephanie and Helen Leyzerovich talk client acquisition, staffing struggles, pricing mistakes, and why your intake form matters more than you think.
 
Helen doesn’t sugarcoat the early growing pains (including what not to do with pricing), and Stephanie shares real-time advice on standing out in a saturated market. If you’re a new cleaning business owner — or looking to scale without losing your sanity — this one’s for you.
 
Key Takeaways:
How Helen used real estate investing skills to fast-track her cleaning business
Why BNI groups can be a lead generation goldmine
The pros and cons of using independent contractors vs. W2 employees
What most new owners get wrong about pricing — and how to fix it
Why client communication (even over video!) builds customer loyalty
When it’s time to raise prices — and how to do it without losing sleep
 
Mentioned in this Episode:
ZenMaid Software
Google Local Service Ads
BNI (Business Network International)
Cool Peaches Cleaning
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days

#30: The Exact Lead Management System I Use in My Cleaning Business
Description:
Tired of juggling cleaning leads across text, email, Facebook messages, and phone calls? I was too. In this episode, I (Stephanie) tackle the common mistake of scattered client communications that's costing cleaning business owners time, money, and professionalism.
Learn how to create a centralized lead management system that captures all inquiries, enables effective follow-up, and presents a polished image to potential clients - even if you're still cleaning in the field yourself.
Key Takeaways:
Why scattered communications make you look unprofessional (and lose money)
How to create a strategic intake form that both gathers information and sells
Setting up automated responses on multiple platforms
Follow-up strategies that work every time
Simple systems that scale as your business grows
Mentioned in this Episode:
ZenMaid booking forms
ClickUp for lead management
Zapier automation
Chris Schwab's business advice
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days!
Rather read than listen? Check out thehttps://www.zenmaid.com/magazine/filthy-rich-cleaners-podcast-episode-30/

What happens when two cleaning business owners decide to join forces? In this conversation, Stephanie speaks with Dayane from Washe Cleaning Services, who shares her remarkable journey from arriving in the US from Brazil without speaking English to building a cleaning empire approaching seven figures.
Dayane shares how she and her friend—who each had their own separate cleaning businesses—were already informally sharing staff before deciding to formalize their partnership. Their strategic merger allowed them to handle operational challenges more effectively than hiring additional managers, and helped them create a great staff retention rate in an industry known for high turnover.
 
Key Takeaways:
 
How to successfully merge two cleaning businesses under one brand
Transitioning clients from yourself to your cleaning team
Building a positive company culture that cleaners don't want to leave
The hiring philosophy that focuses on character over cleaning skills
Creating clear communication systems that build trust
Mentioned in this Episode:
Washe Cleaning Services
ZenMaid Software
Employee vs. contractor considerations
Dayane's ZenMaid Story
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days!
 
Rather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog.

Ever wonder how much money cleaning business owners actually take home? In this Q&A episode, Stephanie reveals exactly how much she's personally earned from her cleaning company over six years—down to the penny—and why it's more than most people think.
 
Plus, get practical answers to your burning questions about everything from the $500 insurance claim that saved thousands to pricing strategies that won't scare off clients. Learn why Stephanie pays herself from day one (despite contrary advice) and the real-world trade-offs between time freedom and higher profits.
 
Key Takeaways:
 
The exact revenue numbers from Serene Clean
How to handle price increases without losing clients
Getting more Google reviews with a clever field strategy
Essential insurance coverage you'll be thankful for
Pricing formulas that ensure profitability from day one
 
 
Mentioned in this Episode:
 
Profit First money management system
ZenMaid booking forms
Google Voice and phone systems
Workers' compensation insurance
 
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days!
Rather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog.