Filthy Rich Cleaners: The Cleaning Business Podcast

Tired of throwing money at advertising with nothing to show for it? In this eye-opening episode, Stephanie sits down with Horatio from Grow Baby Grow who reveals why your competitors are stealing clients right from under you—and how to flip the script.
 
From the truth about why video ads crush static images to the exact number of follow-ups needed before clients convert (hint: it's more than you think), discover how to build marketing funnels that actually turn leads into long-term revenue. Learn why your customer lifetime value is the most important metric you're probably ignoring.
 
Key Takeaways:
Why most cleaning businesses fail at lead follow-up (and how to fix it)
The Facebook ad strategy that's working right now (while others fail)
How to calculate customer acquisition cost vs. lifetime value
Creating automated follow-up systems even if you're still small
Working with influencers to create high-converting content
Mentioned in this Episode:
Grow Baby Grow Marketing
Facebook Ads Platform
LSA (Local Service Ads)
Zapier automation tools
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days!
Rather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog.

Ever wonder why some cleaning businesses keep clients for years while others struggle with constant turnover? In this episode, Stephanie breaks down Serene Clean's "celebration systems" - their secret weapon for keeping clients happy, staff loyal, and social media buzzing.
 
She walks you through exactly how they use ZenMaid to track client anniversaries, send personalized video messages, and deliver branded gifts that clients rave about. You'll learn why those "too extra" appreciation moments (like custom employee songs!) are building a workplace culture that keeps cleaners from jumping ship - even when competitors offer more money.
 
Key Takeaways:
The exact client anniversary system that's generating Google reviews without even asking
Why spending $10 on employee birthdays might be your smartest business investment
How to turn your business anniversary into a viral marketing campaign with thousands of views
Setting up sustainable celebration systems that don't overwhelm your schedule
Why "trying too hard" is actually your competitive advantage in building loyalty
Mentioned in this Episode:
ZenMaid Software
Serene Clean's Giveaway Video
Loom Video Software
Canva for graphics creation
ZenMaid Mastermind Facebook group
 
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days!
 
Rather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog.

Meet Kate Croukamp, owner of Clean Like a Pro Cleaning Services in Australia, who transformed her parents' small carpet cleaning business into a thriving enterprise.
 
Kate's cleaning content unexpectedly created a whole new revenue stream, with her cleaning product line hitting seven figures in its first year. In this episode, you'll learn practical strategies for pricing confidently, how they built their product line, and how to create boundaries that attract clients who respect your worth.
 
Key Takeaways:
 
Why deposits and upfront payments eliminate no-shows and payment headaches
The perfect team structure for labor-intensive move-out cleans
How to avoid burnout by limiting cleaner hours to 25-30 per week
Smart social media strategies that attract the right audience
When to walk away from problematic clients and red flags
How testing products in real-world extreme conditions led to product success
 
Mentioned in this Episode:
 
Clean Like a Pro Products
ZenMaid Software
Clean Like a Pro TikTok
Clean Like a Pro Instagram
 
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days!
 
Rather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog. https://www.zenmaid.com/magazine/filthy-rich-cleaners-podcast-episode-25/

Are you trying to offer every cleaning service under the sun? In this solo episode, Stephanie shares why she's officially breaking up with vacation rental cleanings after discovering they represent only 4% of revenue but cause significantly more stress and operational challenges.
Learn why mastering one or two services before expanding is crucial for success, how to recognize when a service isn't aligned with your business model, and why sometimes the best business decision is to say "no" to opportunities that distract from your core strengths.
Key Takeaways:
Why spreading yourself too thin across multiple services hurts quality and profitability
How to identify when a service isn't worth the administrative burden
The importance of mastering your core services before expanding
Why "getting deeper" with clients doesn't always mean adding more services
How to determine what's truly causing revenue problems in your business
When and how to gracefully cut services that no longer serve your business
Mentioned in this Episode:
ZenMaid's digital checklist feature
Episode with Libby on organization services [LINK]
Episode #2 with Simone Angell on specialized house management [LINK]
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days!
Rather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog. [https://www.zenmaid.com/magazine/filthy-rich-cleaners-podcast-episode-24/]

Ready to get a fire lit under you? Liz Trotter shares her journey from managing a struggling dry cleaning business to becoming a successful cleaning company owner, and how mindset was the key difference between failure and thriving.
 
Liz shares the story of her brother's remarkable transformation from decades of homelessness to becoming a multi-millionaire. Learn the powerful "TIDY" method for handling conflict, and uncover the five daily practices that can completely transform your cleaning business and life.
 
Key Takeaways:
Why your mindset is the primary bottleneck in your business
How to use past trauma and difficulties as fuel instead of weight
The four-word formula for defusing any customer conflict
Why price increases rarely get the pushback you fear
Five daily practices for creating business success
The power of celebration in building momentum
Mentioned in this Episode:
ZenMaid Software: Loved by 3,000+ Maid Service Owners
Alex & Layla Hermosy's YouTube: Youtubeyoutube.com/@AlexandLayla
Atomic Habits by James Clear: Jamesclear Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
Core Profit Builders: Home Core Profit Builders 1
Not Another Cleaning Group: Facebook
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days!Rather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog.

Stephanie shares two recent personal encounters that left her feeling unsafe, and connects these experiences to the vulnerable positions cleaning staff face daily—an issue too often ignored in our industry.
 
From isolated workers in clients' homes to uncomfortable encounters with customers, learn why having a clear safety protocol isn't just a nice-to-have—it's essential. Stephanie breaks down the exact steps Serene Clean takes to protect staff and how to respond when a cleaner signals they're in danger.
 
Key Takeaways:
How to establish safety protocols that actually protect your team
Why situational awareness training is critical for all cleaners
Step-by-step response plan for when a cleaner feels unsafe
How to use the new ZenMaid SOS button effectively
Communication tactics to help extract cleaners from dangerous situations
Mentioned in this Episode:
7 Must-Know Cleaner Safety Tips: https://www.zenmaid.com/magazine/cleaning-business-safety-tips/
How to Keep Your Cleaners Safe Video Training: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKNv3RA90aU&t=608s
ZenMaid SOS Button feature: https://get.zenmaid.com/
Staff Safety Reminder template: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yUvXO_ggbvv1L36h2_WsGUQ6Q8agGxJv/view?usp=sharing
 
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days!
Rather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog.

Wondering how to get your foot in the door with commercial cleaning clients? Mark Lineberry from My Clean Pivot joins Stephanie to share his journey of growing a commercial cleaning company from $600,000 to $1.8 million in just two years - without websites, emails, or any digital marketing.
 
Mark gets real about cold calling, networking, and how to convince building managers to give you a shot even with zero experience. He also shares embarrassing walk-through mistakes (like insulting a prospect's floor work!) and practical pricing strategies that won't leave you guessing or underbidding.
 
Key Takeaways:
How to target specific niches and position yourself as an expert
Walk-through strategies that turn prospects into clients
Pricing methods for janitorial and specialty floor care services
Hiring and retention tactics that build a reliable team
Smart ways to enter the commercial market without previous experience
 
Mentioned in this Episode:
My Clean Pivot: https://mycleanpivot.com
ISSA Training: https://www.issaonline.com/
CMI Programs: https://learning.issa.com/product_bundles
Mark's free resource hub at mycleanpivot.com/filthy-rich-cleaners
 
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days!
Rather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog.

Stephanie rips back the curtain on a financial nightmare that kept her up at night during her cleaning business's slowest month. When her revenue numbers weren't matching expectations, digging into the real reason WHY the numbers were down helped her team solve the problem. In this episode, she shares what to look for when your revenue is down. (It's probably not the reason you thought it would be.)
 
 
Key Takeaways:
How to identify when fear is clouding your business judgment
Why tracking call-outs and attendance is crucial for understanding revenue fluctuations
The danger of jumping to solutions before fully understanding the problem
How to use AI tools as a free "business coach" when you don't have a mentor
Why January and February are typically unprofitable for cleaning businesses
The importance of building financial buffers for seasonal downturns
Mentioned in this Episode:
ZenMaid scheduling software
ZenMaid Mastermind Facebook group
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days: https://get.zenmaid.com/
Rather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog.

In this powerful episode, host Stephanie Pipkin sits down with Carolyn Arellano, owner of Spotless Cleaning and The Cleaning Business Mentor, for a raw conversation about the mental toughness required to build a successful cleaning business.
 
Learn how Carolyn transformed from an anxiety-ridden college graduate with crushing debt to a thriving entrepreneur, and learn why the right mindset is your most valuable asset when building your cleaning empire. Both owners share vulnerable stories about their early struggles and the lessons that shaped their success.
Key Takeaways:
How to develop business confidence when you're starting with zero experience
Why having a mentor can save you years of costly mistakes (and how to find the right one)
The emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship and how to handle stressful situations
Why your business won't grow if you keep reacting emotionally to every challenge
How to maintain focus when constant distractions are literally part of your job
The importance of persistence when you're tempted to quit
Mentioned in this Episode:
ZenMaid Mastermind Facebook Group
The Cleaning Business Mentor
Spotless Cleaning Service
"Think and Grow Rich" book
Melissa Maker's cleaning business resources
 
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days: https://get.zenmaid.com/
Rather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog: https://www.zenmaid.com/magazine/filthy-rich-cleaners-podcast-episode-19/

Stephanie answers your most pressing concerns pulled straight from listener comments, social media, and the ZenMaid Mastermind.
 
From her take on drug testing staff to creative childcare solutions for your team, get practical ideas for handling call-outs in a solo cleaner model, managing hourly rates when estimates go wrong, and building a business that's approaching $1.5 million in annual revenue after nearly 6 years.
 
Key Takeaways:
How Serene Clean provides childcare support
The right way to handle pricing when cleanings take longer than expected
Why Stephanie doesn't drug test cleaning technicians (and why you might choose differently)
Creative strategies for handling call-outs with a solo cleaner model
Budget-friendly alternatives to hiring expensive coaches when you're just starting out
The importance of weekly team meetings for building company culture
Mentioned in this Episode:
ZenMaid Mastermind Facebook Group
ChatGPT
Checker background check service ($12.50 per check)
Department of Justice background checks (Wisconsin, $7 per check)
Cleaning for a Reason program
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days: https://get.zenmaid.com/
Rather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog.