Filthy Rich Cleaners: The Cleaning Business Podcast

Even the grittiest, hardest-working owners get burned by fuzzy pricing, weak boundaries, bad hires, and saying “I’ll figure it out later" 😅 In this follow-up episode with Cheryl Hajjar, Founder of Sisters Who Scale, Stephanie and Cheryl talk through the most common (and expensive) mistakes cleaning business owners make. In fact, these mistakes are ones both of them learned the hard way and now consult cleaning business owners on!
 
📌 What You’ll Learn :
— Why “I’ll do anything while I’m here” destroys margins and confuses clients
— The pricing math that keeps wages under control without underpaying your team
— W2 vs 1099 in real life — what’s legal, what’s risky, and why “contractors” backfire in residential
— How to stop desperation hires and interview for reliability (not just charisma)
— Onboarding that reduces turnover — hybrid teams, clear roles, and quality control
— GPS, time theft, and schedule optimization — protect your payroll and routes
— Bookkeeping basics you can’t skip — owner draws, separate accounts, weekly P&L
— Ads vs scrappy growth — when to spend, when to build brand and reviews first
— Client communication that prevents scope creep and last-minute chaos
— The mindset shift from cleaner to CEO — detach, lead, and document
 
Resources Mentioned:
— Sisters Who Scale (Cheryl Hajjar): https://sisterswhoscale.com
— Sisters Who Scale Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sisterswhoscale
— ZenMaid Scheduling Software: https://get.zenmaid.com/
 
👉 Try ZenMaid free for 14 days: https://get.zenmaid.com
📞 Book a Consulting Call with Stephanie: https://serene-clean.com/consulting-services/
 
📖 Read the full transcript: https://www.zenmaid.com/magazine/the-biggest-mistakes-cleaning-owners-make-and-how-to-stop-them-with-cheryl-hajjar/

Even the best-run service companies face constant problems, and that’s normal! Every problem in your business falls into one of three buckets — Supply (staffing), Demand (leads/sales), or Operations (everything else) — and in this episode of Filthy Rich Cleaners, Stephanie talks about how she's learned to quickly diagnose issues and move forward without the overwhelm.
 
📌 What You’ll Learn:
— The 3-bucket framework to categorize every problem: Supply, Demand, Operations
— How to use the “If we had 50 employees tomorrow, what would break?” thought experiment
— When you should mitigate vs. eradicate a recurring problem
— Practical ways to avoid analysis paralysis when making your first W-2 hire
— Where to look first if quality slips during growth (training, QC, SOPs, delegation)
— Simple workload wins: automation (reminders, follow-ups) and eliminating time sinks (e.g., unnecessary in-person walkthroughs)
— Planning for the inevitable (like call-outs or schedule gaps) so they’re speed bumps, not crises
 
Resources Mentioned:
— ZenMaid Scheduling Software: https://get.zenmaid.com
— ZenMaid Mastermind Facebook Group (free): https://www.facebook.com/groups/zenmaidmastermind
— ChatGPT (for step-by-step state hiring setup prompts): https://chatgpt.com/
 
👉 Try ZenMaid free for 14 days: https://get.zenmaid.com
📞 Book a Consulting Call with Stephanie: https://serene-clean.com/consulting-services/
 
🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:
📖 Read the full transcript: (link)

In this episode, Stephanie is joined by Paige Collins, founder of All Spruced Up Cleaning Co., who went from being a dental hygienist during COVID to running a thriving residential and commercial cleaning business with 15 employees.
 
Paige shares all about her rapid growth, how she balances business and motherhood, her top tips for employee retention, and why flexibility and compassion have become her company’s superpowers. She and Stephanie also discuss building training systems for multiple employees, the right way to price commercial jobs, and what it's like hitting that first million in revenue.
 
📌 What You’ll Learn
— How Paige grew her cleaning company from zero to 15 staff in under five years
— The truth about hiring “out of desperation” and what to do instead
— Why flexibility for working moms can actually boost retention
— How to price and bid for commercial cleaning without overcomplicating it
— Creative ways to use ZenMaid to systematize your business
— What a “done early” checklist is — and how it helps with quality control
— How Paige plans to scale to $1M and launch her nonprofit cleaning initiative
 
Resources Mentioned:
— ZenMaid Scheduling Software: https://get.zenmaid.com/
— ZenMaid Mastermind Facebook Group (free to join): https://www.facebook.com/groups/zenmaidmastermind
— Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
— OpenPhone (now Quo) – the business phone system Paige uses: https://www.openphone.com/perks/zenmaid?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=partnerstack&utm_content=community_experts&utm_campaign=c92107ec7cc9&pscd=get.openphone.com&ps_partner_key=YzkyMTA3ZWM3Y2M5&fbclid=IwY2xjawMr03ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBleUtsVnZtUjlJa2h5ZWpwAR7Gp8p4NVVF-Y8WODTTXb-NJi57ltYrsQs-pyFmuaRR4gMrj6TGYWpL1zlA_Q_aem_Ey2JG_AkBSk_SI8w5kDOBA&ps_xid=iGpmmTBqEJNW4d&gsxid=iGpmmTBqEJNW4d&gspk=YzkyMTA3ZWM3Y2M5
 
👉 Try ZenMaid free for 14 days: https://get.zenmaid.com
📞 Book a Consulting Call with Stephanie: https://serene-clean.com/consulting-services/
 
🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:
📖 Read the full transcript: (link)

Every cleaning business owner hits this breaking point — when you’re juggling every email, call, quote, and cleaning, wondering how much longer you can keep your sh*t together. In this episode, Stephanie breaks down how she transitioned from doing everything herself at Serene Clean to building a reliable, well-trained admin team that keeps operations running smoothly (even when things go wrong).
 
📌 What You’ll Learn:
— Why your first office hire shouldn’t be full-time
— How to transition a cleaner into an admin role (without overwhelming them)
— How to decide what to delegate first
— The most common mistakes business owners make when hiring admin help
— How Serene Clean structures its daily operations and priorities
— Tips for building a “buffer” between you and the field
— How to create trust, accountability, and systems that actually work
 
🧰 Resources Mentioned:
— Trainual (Train Now) — SOP documentation & onboarding: https://trainual.com/newhome
— ZenMaid Scheduling Software: https://get.zenmaid.com
— ZenMaid Mastermind Facebook Group (Free): https://www.facebook.com/groups/zenmaidmastermind
— Book: Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell
— Book: The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes
 
👉 Try ZenMaid free for 14 days: https://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: https://www.zenmaid.com/magazine/how-to-delegate-without-losing-control-of-your-cleaning-business/

Jamie Runco prayed for a new direction in life, and four years later, she’s running a thriving residential and commercial cleaning business in rural California. In this episode, FRC Host Stephanie Pipkin sits with Jamie to talk about how she went from cleaning church floors to leading a full team, hiring her first coach, and scaling to six figures (and beyond). They share what it’s like to build a business when failure isn’t an option, including learning payroll and OSHA laws the hard way, navigating maternity leave, hiring friends, and managing panic-fueled creativity.
 
📌 What You’ll Learn:
— How Jamie turned a $25/hour solo hustle into a multi-employee cleaning company
— Why mentorship and accountability can accelerate your business growth
— The biggest legal and financial mistakes new cleaning business owners make
— How to handle employee laws, OSHA requirements, and California’s strict labor rules
— Why “panic moments” can actually fuel your creativity and growth
— The importance of building community reputation in small towns
— How to structure pricing and policies that protect your time and your team
— Why hiring friends can go very wrong — and how to recover when it does
 
Resources Mentioned:
— Shannon Miller (Coach & Mentor): https://kleanfreaksuniversity.com/
— ZenMaid Mastermind Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/zenmaidmastermind
 
👉 Try ZenMaid free for 14 days: https://get.zenmaid.com
📞 Book a Consulting Call with Stephanie: https://serene-clean.com/consulting-services/
 
📖 Read the full transcript: https://www.zenmaid.com/magazine/how-coaching-and-chaos-transformed-a-cleaning-business-with-jamie-runco/

BOO! 👻 Did we scare you? Maybe not, but hopefully these hot takes will 🌶️ In this special Halloween edition of Filthy Rich Cleaners, Stephanie is serving up her spiciest opinions about the cleaning industry. She talks about controversial opinions around business policies, walkthroughs, pricing transparency, team cleans, the habits that make or break a company, and more! This episode isn’t for the faint of heart (or for people who still think cleaning is “unskilled labor”).
 
👻 What You’ll Learn:
— Why charging by the square foot almost always backfires
— The real reason Serene Clean refuses homes with smoke damage
— Why you should stop hiding client info from your cleaners
— How to handle commercial accounts without being taken advantage of
— Why “automated scheduling” is a myth
— Why no prices on your website is a power move
— The bold reason Stephanie stopped answering her phones
— Why she doesn’t hire family members or want experienced cleaners
— How to handle drama-free teams and build loyalty
— The case for being real, funny, and a little unhinged with your staff
— Why cleaning checklists, software, and paying yourself from day one are non-negotiable
 
Resources Mentioned:
— ZenMaid Scheduling Software: https://get.zenmaid.com
— OpenPhone (business phone system) + affiliate link https://www.openphone.com/perks/zenmaid?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=partnerstack&utm_content=community_experts&utm_campaign=c92107ec7cc9&pscd=get.openphone.com&ps_partner_key=YzkyMTA3ZWM3Y2M5&fbclid=IwY2xjawMr03ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBleUtsVnZtUjlJa2h5ZWpwAR7Gp8p4NVVF-Y8WODTTXb-NJi57ltYrsQs-pyFmuaRR4gMrj6TGYWpL1zlA_Q_aem_Ey2JG_AkBSk_SI8w5kDOBA&ps_xid=iGpmmTBqEJNW4d&gsxid=iGpmmTBqEJNW4d&gspk=YzkyMTA3ZWM3Y2M5
— Gusto (Payroll Software): https://gusto.com
— QuickBooks Online: https://quickbooks.intuit.com
— Mailchimp: https://mailchimp.com
— Zapier: https://zapier.com
— Filthy Rich Cleaners Ep. 33 (with Brenna Sledge) on vacation rentals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z2eZQv4-no
— Profit First (Book by Mike Michalowicz)
 
👉 Try ZenMaid free for 14 days: https://get.zenmaid.com
📞 Book a Consulting Call with Stephanie: https://serene-clean.com/consulting-services/
 
🎧 Listen to the Podcast:
📖 Read the Full Transcript: https://www.zenmaid.com/magazine/our-spiciest-takes-about-the-cleaning-industry/

In this episode of Filthy Rich Cleaners, Stephanie sits down with marketing expert Sean Parry, aka “the king of automation,” to talk about what actually brings clients to your cleaning business. Sean talks about methods to dominate your local market through Google reviews, SEO, and Local Service Ads (LSAs), and why most owners are wasting time chasing leads that were never going to convert 😢
 
📌 What You’ll Learn:
— Why Google will always be the most powerful lead source for cleaning businesses
— The difference between quality leads and cheap window shoppers
— How to set up your Google Business Profile the right way
— When (and why) to add SEO, Google Ads, and LSAs
— How to follow up fast and close more leads — even while you’re still in the field
— Why shiny object syndrome (TikTok ads, anyone?) kills your growth
— How tracking your numbers can completely change your business trajectory
— Sean’s simple framework for growing to $10k–$20k/month with just Google
 
Resources Mentioned:
— Project83 (Sean’s Marketing Agency): https://www.project83.co/
— Sean Parry's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sean_parry
— ZenMaid Scheduling Software: https://get.zenmaid.com
— ZenMaid Mastermind Facebook Group (Free to join): https://www.facebook.com/groups/zenmaidmastermind
 
👉 Try ZenMaid free for 14 days: https://get.zenmaid.com
📞 Book a Consulting Call with Stephanie: https://serene-clean.com/consulting-services/
 
🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:
📖 Read the full transcript: https://www.zenmaid.com/magazine/google-local-services-ads-for-cleaning-businesses-2026-guide-with-real-screenshots/

Not every successful cleaning company starts with Facebook ads or a huge budget. In Lucy Spencer's case, it started with $10 and a stack of handwritten letters 💌
 
In this episode, Stephanie sits down with Lucy, who owns River Girl Cleaning in Boston, Massachusetts. Lucy shares how she built her business from the ground up, starting with nothing but grit, family, community, and the belief that “there’s enough for everyone.” Together, they discuss the art of keeping clients for decades, why human connection always wins, and how going back to basics can cut through the digital noise and bring in real, loyal customers.
 
📌 What You’ll Learn:
— How Lucy started River Girl Cleaning with $10 and a letter-writing campaign
— Why working with family (not for them) can be a business superpower
— The timeless marketing trick that still brings Lucy new clients today
— What to do when fear of confrontation holds you back as a leader
— How to fire clients (or employees) with tact and confidence
— Why “there’s a client for everyone” is a business strategy
 
Resources Mentioned:
— River Girl Cleaning: https://www.rivergirlcleaning.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: https://get.zenmaid.com
📞 Book a Consulting Call with Stephanie: https://serene-clean.com/consulting-services/
 
🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:
📖 Read the full transcript: https://www.zenmaid.com/magazine/how-handwritten-letters-built-a-thriving-cleaning-business-with-lucy-spencer/

If money talks, raises scream! Raises cannot be based on “vibes” and gut feelings, or else you'll watch cleaner performance plateau. However, when you give your team full control of their own raises and make clarity and accountability the standard, you'll see quality skyrocket.
In this solo episode, Stephanie shares how Serene Clean completely transformed their culture by putting the responsibility for raises in the hands of their cleaners. She also opens up about how “clarity is kindness” in leadership, including rewriting policies, setting quality standards, automating Slack responses, and overall empowering her team to find their own answers.
📌 What You’ll Learn: — How to tie raises directly to performance (and why it works) — The 3 key metrics Serene Clean uses for raises: quality, attendance, and policy compliance — Why vague expectations kill accountability (and how to fix it) — How to coach struggling cleaners without enabling them — What “clarity as kindness” really looks like in practice — How to prevent complacency in hourly or percentage pay systems — How automation (like Slack bots) can teach better communication habits — Creating a “culture of excellence” that people want to live up to
📎 Resources Mentioned: — Breakdown of raises and wages full episode:   — ZenMaid Mastermind Facebook Group (Free to Join): https://www.facebook.com/groups/zenmaidmastermind
👉 Try ZenMaid free for 14 days: https://get.zenmaid.com📞 Book a Consulting Call with Stephanie: https://serene-clean.com/consulting-services/ 📖 Read the full transcript: https://www.zenmaid.com/magazine/creating-a-culture-of-accountability-in-your-business/

 We get it — it's hard to stand out online, especially when cheap competition is flooding your market. In this Filthy Rich Cleaners episode, Stephanie breaks down how to make your cleaning business shine on social media without burning yourself out or wasting time on platforms that don’t actually convert. Facebook, TikTok, Google My Business, and more! You’ll learn exactly where to focus your energy, how to avoid “generic” posts that make it look like you're leading amateur hour, and why consistency beats creativity every single time. 📌 What You’ll Learn: — Why Facebook is still the #1 platform for residential cleaning leads — How to build brand trust with simple, repeatable content — The fatal mistake cleaning owners make when outsourcing their social media — How to create before-and-after posts that actually convert — Why showing your team’s faces (not stock photos) builds loyalty and sales — The easiest way to systematize social posting without hiring a full team Resources Mentioned:— ZenMaid Mastermind Facebook Group (free to join): https://www.facebook.com/groups/zenmaidmastermind— "How to market your cleaning business for free" article: https://www.zenmaid.com/magazine/market-your-cleaning-business-for-free/— ZenMaid Scheduling Software: https://get.zenmaid.com/ZenMaid Socials:— 📱 TikTok (for cleaning business memes and educational content): https://www.tiktok.com/@get.zenmaid— 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/get.zenmaid/— 📱 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/get.zenmaid   Try ZenMaid free for 14 days: https://get.zenmaid.com Book a Consulting Call with Stephanie: https://serene-clean.com/consulting-services/  Listen to the Podcast: Read the full transcript: https://www.zenmaid.com/magazine/how-to-make-your-cleaning-business-stand-out-online/