Filthy Rich Cleaners: The Cleaning Business Podcast

What happens when your entire cleaning staff quits at once? In this compelling episode, Stephanie interviews Michelle from Sparkling Homes Cleaning, who rebuilt her $50,000/month business from ashes after a mass employee walkout.
 
Discover how Michelle turned disaster into opportunity by streamlining her hiring process, creating a family-like team culture, and building a thriving business with loyal staff who've stayed for years since the walkout of 2021.
 
Key Takeaways:
 
How to rebuild after losing nearly your entire cleaning staff at once
Transforming your hiring process to attract quality "A-player" team members
Creating genuine bonds that turn employees into loyal family
Why cleaning business "forest fires" can clear the path for stronger growth
Strategic approaches for handling client relationships during staffing crises
Building a workplace culture that inspires long-term loyalty
 
Mentioned in this Episode:
 
Sparkling Homes Cleaning (Minnesota)
ZenMaid Software
 
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days: https://get.zenmaid.com/
Rather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog.

Is your cleaning business one OSHA violation away from financial disaster? In this eye-opening episode, Stephanie reveals why business ownership means constantly defending against threats — including her own company's unexpected legal battle.
 
Learn the costly insurance gaps many cleaning businesses overlook, why your cleaners' unauthorized product use could trigger $20,000 OSHA fines, and how a surprising discrimination lawsuit targeting cleaning companies could affect you (even if you're doing everything right).
 
Key Takeaways:
Essential insurance coverage every cleaning business needs (and the gaps most owners miss)
Why proper vehicle insurance documentation from employees is non-negotiable
OSHA compliance requirements for cleaning products that could save you thousands
How job listing wording could lead to discrimination lawsuits (even if you don't discriminate)
Practical steps to protect your business from common legal and financial threats
Mentioned in this Episode:
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) requirements
OSHA compliance for cleaning businesses
Cleaning Business Insurance Guide
ZenMaid Software
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days: https://get.zenmaid.com/
Rather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog.

Want to know how to build a cleaning team that stays for 6-9 years? Meet Maria Dorian, who grew her Austin cleaning company to 36 staff and 320+ clients before selling it. Now running a successful VA company from Spain, she shares her proven approach to hiring, training, and building an unshakeable company culture.
 
From her rigorous 191-question training test (requiring 93% to pass) to mastering the art of the working interview, discover battle-tested strategies for building a high-performing cleaning team that sticks around - with three staff members even following her to new ventures.
 
Key Takeaways:
 
The PAID UC core values system for hiring and culture
How her intensive training program filters out unmotivated candidates
Working interview secrets that reveal true character
How to win unemployment claims (she won 16 out of 17!)
Creating a culture so strong, policies develop naturally
Tips for documenting everything properly from day one
 
Mentioned in this Episode:
ZenMaid Software
Task Away VA
The Four Disciplines of Execution (book)
ZenMaid Facebook Mastermind 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.

Tired of clients trying to haggle your prices or push your boundaries? In this candid episode, Stephanie shares three recent examples of when and how to stand firm in your cleaning business decisions.
From turning down a $2,000/month client over a suspicious contract demand to learning a $20,000 lesson about saying "no" to accounts outside your service area, discover why protecting your business boundaries is crucial for long-term success.
Key Takeaways:
Why you shouldn't cave to discount demands (even for "guaranteed" contracts)
Red flags to watch for in commercial cleaning contracts
The true cost of saying "yes" when your gut says "no"
How to respond professionally when clients try to negotiate your prices
Real examples of setting and maintaining business boundaries
Mentioned in this Episode:
ZenMaid Software
ZenMaid Facebook Mastermind group
Try ZenMaid free for 14 daysRather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog.

After Hurricane Ian wiped out 400 customers in a single day, Libby DeLucien discovered something unexpected: slowing down was exactly what her business needed. In this candid episode, she shares how losing nearly a quarter of her company led to powerful lessons about sustainable growth and the importance of understanding your business "season."
 
Get ready for straight talk about rebuilding after disaster, why most companies try to grow too fast, and how to build something that can weather any storm. Whether you're pushing for growth or questioning your next move, this conversation will change how you think about success.
 
Key Takeaways:
Understanding business "seasons" and when to stabilize
How to add premium organizing services ($100/hour)
Building systems before buying software
Managing through natural disasters
When to grow vs when to strengthen
Creating sustainable operations
Mentioned in this Episode:
WOOTRecruit Software
Cleaning Tech Bootcamp
Debbie Sardone Systems
ZenMaid Software
Upcoming Book: Operational Blueprint
 
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days!
Rather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog.

Buckle up for some of the most unbelievable (but true!) employee stories from Stephanie's years of running a cleaning business. These are the kind of moments that make you realize managing people is never boring - and sometimes you just have to laugh to keep from crying.
Between bizarre excuses, surprising situations, and lessons learned the hard way, this episode is packed with real stories that'll make you feel better about your own business challenges. Plus, Stephanie shares what each wild situation taught her about being a better owner.
 
 
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days!
Rather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog.

From his corporate finance desk, Neel Parekh built a cleaning business on the side, quit his 9-5, scaled it to $2M, and then turned it into a nationwide franchise serving both residential and Airbnb clients across America.
 
Whether you're stuck in what Neel calls the "$300K-750K death zone" or wondering if franchising is right for you, learn why some cleaning business owners are converting their existing operations into franchise locations - and if you should too.
Key Takeaways:
Building a $2M residential and Airbnb cleaning business
Why some cleaning companies get stuck between $300-750K
Converting existing businesses to franchises
Managing both residential and vacation rental clients
Technology and automation essentials
Hiring and training strategies for different markets
Remote business operations and systems
Mentioned in this Episode:
ZenMaid Software
Breezy HR
Slack
GBG Marketing (Grow Baby Grow)
Made This Franchise 
Freedom Formula Podcast
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days!
Rather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog.

Even excellent cleaning companies fail because of these three common mistakes. In this episode, Stephanie shares the costly errors she sees cleaning business owners make "all the time" - mistakes that force you to work harder and spend more money than necessary to attract clients.
 
Learn exactly what to do instead, from smarter scheduling strategies to leveraging free cleanings, and discover why Google reviews should be your top priority from day one.
 
What You'll Learn In This Episode:
How to take control of your scheduling process
The right way to ask about client availability
Why Google reviews beat Facebook reviews
How to get verified on Google quickly
Smart strategies for getting your first reviews
Using free cleanings to build momentum
Tips for running successful cleaning giveaways
Mentioned in this Episode:
ZenMaid
Google My Business
Serene Clean (serene-clean.com)
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days!
Rather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog.

In this powerful episode, host Stephanie Pipkin welcomes Katrina Johnson and Tameka from Tenacity Clean for an intimate conversation about building a cleaning empire from the ground up. Their story takes us from bankruptcy to building a thriving cleaning business and coaching academy. Hear their raw insights about losing $180K in accounts, managing partnerships, and maintaining resilience through tough seasons.
 
Mentioned in this Episode:
 
Tenacity Academy (https://www.tenacityacademy.com/)
ZenMaid (https://get.zenmaid.com/)
Cleaning For A Reason (https://cleaningforareason.org/)
Upcoming Workshop in Savannah (January 25)
March 29 Operations Workshop (link)
 
Try ZenMaid free for 14 days! 
Rather read than listen? Check out the full episode write-up on our blog.

Initial cleans taking twice as long as expected? No signed agreements in place? Client expectations spiraling out of control?? In this episode, we dive into three critical mistakes that can derail your cleaning business and the exact systems you need to prevent them.
 
Learn how to calculate clean times, what checklists protect your profit margins, and the essential policies every cleaning business needs. Whether you're just starting out or looking to tighten up your operations, you'll get practical solutions to problems every cleaning business faces.
 
Key Moments:
[00:00] - Intro
[02:15] - Understanding initial cleans and production rates
[08:46] - Standard scope of work and checklists
[13:19] - Business guidelines and policies
[17:51] - Employee documentation and protection
[20:12] - Final tips and wrap-up
 
Mentioned in this Episode:
 
ZenMaid for GPS tracking and scheduling: https://get.zenmaid.com/
Sign Request ($8/month for e-signatures): https://signrequest.com/
Cleaning Tech Bootcamp: https://rescuemymaidservice.com/cleaning-tech-bootcamp-affidctbzm/
SereneClean's consulting: https://serene-clean.com/consulting-services/
 
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-08/