The Cleaning Journey

In Part 2 of our conversation with Greg Sack of Pinch, we shift the focus directly to what it takes to grow and scale a commercial cleaning business. Misa and Greg dig into a question many cleaning business owners eventually face: If you're already great at cleaning, why not just go sell commercial accounts yourself? Greg explains where Pinch can fit into that equation—but the conversation quickly becomes much bigger than Pinch. They talk about the leads cleaning business owners fail to follow up with, why sales can't stop once you're busy, and what separates companies that simply clean from companies that are actually built to grow. In this episode: • Why cleaning companies leave sales opportunities on the table • How consistent follow-up creates commercial opportunities • Why commercial cleaning companies lose good accounts • Why communication is critical to client retention • What Greg looks for before trusting a company with a major account • How subcontracting can become a growth strategy • Why Greg believes "sales is king" • The difference between a business owner and a business operator • Why nobody needs to do the job exactly as well as you • Building processes that allow your team to succeed without you • How to finally get yourself out of the field and focus on growth Greg's message to owners who feel stuck doing everything themselves is simple: if you want a scalable business, eventually the business has to become about the process—not about you. 🎙️ This is Part 2 of Greg Sack's conversation on The Cleaning Journey Podcast. Connect with Greg Sack & Pinch: 🌐 https://www.pinch.cleaning/ 📸 https://www.instagram.com/pinch.cleaning/ 📘 https://www.facebook.com/pinchjob Subscribe to The Cleaning Journey for more conversations about building, scaling, and leading a successful cleaning business. #TheCleaningJourney #CleaningBusiness #CommercialCleaning #CleaningBusinessOwner #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, you need the right tools. We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication all in one place. Start your 2-week free trial and get 20% off for 6 months here: https://go.getjobber.com/misael For YouTube and Spotify: 🎥Subscribe: @misaavalos For more cleaning tips videos! 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos Jobber: https://go.getjobber.com/misael 🎙️Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast On Spotify 📞1-on-1 Call (45-FREE Minutes to talk about your business, CRAZYY, I know): 👇 https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call Want to be in the podcast? Please fill out this form, and we will contact you. Your journey matters! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kSJKn_kbH4JP8i53hpNEP6tQJqeXArlqqvtt1LJgUPQ/edit

Commercial cleaning can be a huge opportunity—but behind the contracts are challenges most cleaning business owners don't see coming. In Part 1 of our conversation with Greg Sack of Pinch, Greg shares how he went from building and selling an international logistics company to FedEx to helping build a technology platform connecting cleaning companies with commercial opportunities across the country. Greg breaks down what Pinch learned after moving from residential cleaning into multifamily, student housing, single-family rental, build-to-rent, and commercial cleaning—and why the transition into commercial work isn't always as simple as winning the contract. We talk about: • Why Pinch pivoted from residential to commercial cleaning • The challenges of vendor credentialing and insurance • Why "Net 30" doesn't always mean getting paid in 30 days • What happens when staffing and scheduling fall apart • The importance of before-and-after documentation • How technology can protect cleaning companies from costly disputes • Why communication problems can cost you an account • The role customer success plays in keeping commercial clients • What cleaning companies need to understand before taking on larger opportunities Greg also shares real stories from multifamily and student housing projects that show just how quickly a profitable cleaning opportunity can turn into an operational headache without the right systems in place. If you're trying to grow into commercial cleaning—or already managing commercial accounts—this episode offers a look at what happens behind the scenes when you start operating at scale. Subscribe to The Cleaning Journey for conversations about building, scaling, and leading a successful cleaning business. #CommercialCleaning #CleaningBusiness #CleaningBusinessOwner #JanitorialBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, you need the right tools. We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication all in one place. Start your 2-week free trial and get 20% off for 6 months here: https://go.getjobber.com/misael For YouTube and Spotify: 🎥Subscribe: @misaavalos For more cleaning tips videos! 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos Jobber: https://go.getjobber.com/misael 🎙️Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast On Spotify 📞1-on-1 Call (45-FREE Minutes to talk about your business, CRAZYY, I know): 👇 https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call Want to be in the podcast? Please fill out this form, and we will contact you. Your journey matters! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kSJKn_kbH4JP8i53hpNEP6tQJqeXArlqqvtt1LJgUPQ/edit

How do you train cleaning employees in a way that creates consistent results without expecting perfection? In Part 2 of RJ Patel's return to The Cleaning Journey Podcast , RJ and Misael Avalos move beyond individual cleaning techniques and dig into the systems behind building a well-trained cleaning team. RJ shares how his own training process has developed over the years, why training should evolve with employee feedback, and how cleaning business owners can create standards that protect quality without setting their teams up to fail. One of the biggest ideas in this episode is RJ's 92% standard and 8% forgiveness philosophy. Rather than expecting every employee to perform exactly like the owner, cleaning companies need clearly defined standards, realistic expectations, and processes that allow employees to succeed consistently. They also discuss employee turnover, efficiency versus quality, equipment and processes, protecting your company's reputation, and why every cleaner you send into a customer's home represents your brand. And for the cleaning business owner preparing to hire their very first employee, RJ's advice is simple: Train them. If you want to scale your cleaning company, improve quality control, build a stronger team, and create a repeatable employee training system, Part 2 is packed with practical lessons you can apply to your business. 🎙️ This is Part 2 of our conversation with RJ Patel. Be sure to listen to Part 1 for the full discussion on cleaning for health, proper cleaning processes, cross-contamination, and why better employee training starts with teaching the "why." #CleaningBusiness #CleaningBusinessOwner #CleaningTraining #EmployeeTraining #CleaningCompany #CleaningBusinessGrowth #CleaningIndustry #BusinessSystems #TheCleaningJourney

What if one of the biggest problems in your cleaning business isn't your employees—but how they're being trained? RJ Patel returns to The Cleaning Journey Podcast for a deep dive into the value of professional training and the difference between simply cleaning for appearance and cleaning for health . In Part 1, RJ and Misael Avalos discuss how cleaning business owners can create stronger standards by teaching employees not only how to clean, but why each process matters. RJ breaks down practical training principles for bathrooms, kitchens, floors, and dust removal while explaining the importance of proper tools, microfiber systems, PPE, product usage, and preventing cross-contamination. They also discuss how detailed training can help cleaning companies reduce risk, protect customers' homes, improve customer retention, strengthen their reputation, and reduce employee frustration and turnover. One of the biggest lessons from this conversation: you can't hold your cleaners accountable to a standard you haven't properly taught them. Instead of being the manager who simply points out mistakes, become the manager who coaches. If you own or manage a residential or commercial cleaning company and want more consistent quality, stronger employees, and systems that can eventually help your business scale, this episode is for you. This is Part 1 of our conversation with RJ Patel. Part 2 continues with building a repeatable training system, setting realistic quality standards, involving your employees in the process, and protecting the reputation of your cleaning business. #CleaningBusiness #CleaningCompany #CleaningBusinessOwner #EmployeeTraining #ResidentialCleaning #CleaningForHealth If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, you need the right tools. We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication all in one place. Start your 2-week free trial and get 20% off for 6 months here: https://go.getjobber.com/misael For YouTube and Spotify: 🎥Subscribe: @misaavalos For more cleaning tips videos! 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos Jobber: https://go.getjobber.com/misael 🎙️Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast On Spotify 📞1-on-1 Call (45-FREE Minutes to talk about your business, CRAZYY, I know): 👇 https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call Want to be in the podcast? Please fill out this form, and we will contact you. Your journey matters! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

What happens when your cleaning business can't operate without you? In Part 2 of The Cleaning Journey's conversation with Adam Povlitz of Anago Cleaning Systems , Misael and Adam discuss how cleaning business owners can transition from doing everything themselves to building a company powered by systems, processes, delegation, and accountable people. Adam explains why one of the most important steps in scaling a cleaning company is documenting how work gets done. And that doesn't mean creating massive, complicated operating manuals. Sometimes an effective SOP is simply a checklist that defines the steps required to complete a task correctly. When your team understands what needs to happen, who owns it, when it's due, and what completion looks like , you can begin replacing micromanagement with accountability. Adam also shares a simple exercise from his own experience: writing down everything in the business he no longer wanted to do. As that list grew, a pattern emerged. Those responsibilities weren't random—they were beginning to describe a position the company needed. That realization eventually helped Adam identify the need for operational leadership and delegate responsibilities that didn't align with where he could create the most value. Misael and Adam also explore a bigger question every cleaning business owner should consider: What are you actually building? If every customer relationship, operational decision, cleaning job, scheduling issue, and problem depends on the owner, stepping away becomes nearly impossible. It can also make the company significantly less valuable to someone else. Building repeatable systems allows a cleaning company to become something bigger than its founder. In this episode, you'll learn about creating simple SOPs and checklists, identifying what to delegate, deciding what your next hire should look like, setting deadlines and milestones, improving accountability, reducing micromanagement, and building a company capable of operating without constant owner involvement. Adam also discusses why owners can become so consumed by today's problems that they never have enough energy left to solve the underlying issues creating those problems in the first place. As the old janitorial saying goes: you're too busy mopping the floor to turn off the faucet. For cleaning business owners who want to scale, build stronger teams, create more freedom, and ultimately build a more valuable company, Part 2 offers a practical look at what it takes to move from operator to business owner. 🎧 Listen to The Cleaning Journey wherever you get your podcasts. 📺 Watch the full conversation on YouTube. In This Episode Adam and Misael discuss: Building systems that allow a cleaning company to scale Creating SOPs without overcomplicating them Using checklists to define successful outcomes Delegating tasks and responsibilities Identifying your next important hire Escaping the micromanagement trap Creating accountability without constantly checking on employees Setting deadlines, goals, and milestones Working on the business instead of only working in it Building a company that can function without the owner Creating long-term enterprise value Preparing a cleaning business to eventually be sold Leadership and operational lessons from Adam's experience with Anago Cleaning Systems Hosted by Misael Avalos If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, you need the right tools. We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication all in one place. Start your 2-week free trial and get 20% off for 6 months here: https://go.getjobber.com/misael For YouTube and Spotify: 🎥Subscribe: @misaavalos For more cleaning tips videos! 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos Jobber: https://go.getjobber.com/misael 🎙️Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast On Spotify 📞1-on-1 Call (45-FREE Minutes to talk about your business, CRAZYY, I know): 👇 https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call Want to be in the podcast? Please fill out this form, and we will contact you. Your journey matters! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

Build systems before you build a bigger business. In Part 1 of this conversation, Misael Avalos sits down with Adam Povlitz, CEO of Anago Cleaning Systems , to discuss the mindset and systems every cleaning business owner needs to stop being the bottleneck. Too many entrepreneurs spend their days putting out fires instead of building a business that can grow without them. Adam shares practical strategies for shifting from working in your business to working on it, including how to prioritize high-value activities, create simple operating systems, and lay the foundation for long-term growth. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ The CEO mindset every business owner needs ✅ Why systems matter more than talent alone ✅ How to identify your highest-value activities ✅ The Eisenhower Matrix for better decision-making ✅ Why "tithing your time" creates more freedom ✅ The first SOPs every cleaning business should build ✅ How to use customer feedback to improve your business ✅ Why tracking your numbers is essential for growth ✅ Simple systems you can implement today Whether you're just starting your cleaning company or managing a growing team, this episode will help you build a stronger foundation before you scale. 🎙 Guest: Adam Povlitz CEO & President, Anago Cleaning Systems Subscribe for more conversations with the top minds in the cleaning industry. 👍 Like the video if you found value. 💬 Leave a comment with the biggest system you've implemented in your business. #CleaningBusiness #BusinessSystems #Entrepreneur #SmallBusiness Subscribe for more conversations with the top minds in the cleaning industry. 👍 Like the video if you found value. 💬 Leave a comment with the biggest system you've implemented in your business. #CleaningBusiness #BusinessSystems #Entrepreneur #SmallBusiness If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, you need the right tools. We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication all in one place. Start your 2-week free trial and get 20% off for 6 months here: https://go.getjobber.com/misael For YouTube and Spotify: 🎥Subscribe: @misaavalos For more cleaning tips videos! 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos Jobber: https://go.getjobber.com/misael 🎙️Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast On Spotify 📞1-on-1 Call (45-FREE Minutes to talk about your business, CRAZYY, I know): 👇 https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call Want to be in the podcast? Please fill out this form, and we will contact you. Your journey matters! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

Victor Mijangos built The Mighty Maids into one of San Diego's highest-rated residential cleaning companies with more than 800 five-star reviews. But getting there required much more than working harder. In this episode, Victor shares how hiring virtual assistants, building repeatable sales systems, focusing on customer experience, and investing in leadership helped transform his business from a stressful job into a scalable company. If you've ever felt like you're doing everything yourself, this conversation will show you what needs to change. Topics include: • Hiring your first VA • Delegating sales and follow-ups • Customer experience strategies • Building recurring revenue • Leadership and company culture • Follow-up systems that convert more clients • Creating freedom through systems Connect with Victor Instagram: @themightymaids Website: https://themightymaidssandiego.com/ 👇 Let us know your biggest takeaway in the comments! If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, you need the right tools. We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication all in one place. Start your 2-week free trial and get 20% off for 6 months here: https://go.getjobber.com/misael For YouTube and Spotify: 🎥Subscribe: @misaavalos For more cleaning tips videos! 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos Jobber: https://go.getjobber.com/misael 🎙️Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast On Spotify 📞1-on-1 Call (45-FREE Minutes to talk about your business, CRAZYY, I know): 👇 https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call Want to be in the podcast? Please fill out this form, and we will contact you. Your journey matters! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

What separates the cleaning companies people remember from the ones they forget? In Part 2 of our conversation, Lisa Macqueen shares why branding, leadership, and marketing have become just as important as delivering a great cleaning service. Lisa explains how she intentionally positioned Clean Corp away from every other cleaning company in the market by changing the company's messaging, website, photography, and overall customer experience. She also shares lessons from business failures, building company culture, creating authentic content, and why she believes every business owner should embrace a media mindset. If Part 1 focused on building systems, Part 2 is about building a brand. In this episode: Thinking like a media company Standing out in a crowded industry Building a memorable brand Leadership and company culture Learning from business failures Authentic marketing and storytelling Personal branding Content creation that builds trust Rapid-fire business advice No matter what stage your cleaning business is in, this episode will help you think differently about growth and long-term success. 👇 Connect with Lisa Macqueen LinkedIn: / lisamacqueen Clean Corp: https://www.cleancorp.com If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, you need the right tools. We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication all in one place. Start your 2-week free trial and get 20% off for 6 months here: https://go.getjobber.com/misael For YouTube and Spotify: 🎥Subscribe: @misaavalos For more cleaning tips videos! 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos Jobber: https://go.getjobber.com/misael 🎙️Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast On Spotify 📞1-on-1 Call (45-FREE Minutes to talk about your business, CRAZYY, I know): 👇 https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-aval... Want to be in the podcast? Please fill out this form, and we will contact you. Your journey matters! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS...

What happens when you stop running your cleaning company like a cleaning company—and start running it like a business? In Part 1 of this conversation, Lisa Macqueen shares how she helped transform Clean Corp from a $700,000 business into a multi-million-dollar commercial cleaning company by focusing on marketing, systems, automation, and brand positioning. Lisa discusses why relying solely on referrals limits growth, how implementing a CRM became one of the biggest turning points for the business, and why creating repeatable systems allowed the company to scale without adding unnecessary overhead. You'll also hear why your website should do more than list your services—it should build trust, tell your story, and help potential clients immediately understand why your company is different. In this episode: Breaking through the $700K revenue plateau Growing to over $2 million Why marketing creates predictable growth Implementing a CRM that scales with your business Building automated operational systems Creating a website that converts Using branding to stand out in a crowded market Why people buy from people If you're looking to build a cleaning business that can scale beyond referrals and operate like a real company, this episode is full of actionable advice you can apply immediately. 👇 Connect with Lisa Macqueen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisamacqueen/ Clean Corp: https://www.cleancorp.com 🎧 Enjoying the show? Subscribe for weekly conversations with cleaning business owners, operators, and industry leaders sharing real-world lessons from the front lines. Interested in growing your cleaning business? Book a free 45-minute strategy call: https://www.misaelavalos.com If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, you need the right tools. We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication all in one place. Start your 2-week free trial and get 20% off for 6 months here: https://go.getjobber.com/misael For YouTube and Spotify: 🎥Subscribe: @misaavalos For more cleaning tips videos! 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos Jobber: https://go.getjobber.com/misael 🎙️Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast On Spotify 📞1-on-1 Call (45-FREE Minutes to talk about your business, CRAZYY, I know): 👇 https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-aval... Want to be in the podcast? Please fill out this form, and we will contact you. Your journey matters! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS...

In Episode #36 of The Cleaning Journey, Misael Avalos speaks with Marcelo Matos, owner of Prime Cleaning Services in Columbus, Ohio. Marcelo shares his remarkable journey from immigrating to the United States in 2015 to building a cleaning company that now performs approximately 2,000 cleanings per month with a team of 54 employees and 16 vehicles. The conversation covers the challenges of losing more than 90% of clients during the pandemic, making the decision to go "all in" on the business, acquiring a larger company while facing significant financial pressure, and working through one of the most demanding periods of entrepreneurship imaginable. Marcelo also discusses the systems, leadership structure, customer service standards, and operational processes that have helped Prime Cleaning scale while reducing owner dependency. This episode is packed with lessons on resilience, risk, growth, and what it really takes to build a sustainable cleaning company. Topics discussed: • Immigrating to the United States and starting a cleaning business • Surviving COVID-related client loss • Business acquisitions • Cash flow challenges • Scaling operations • Building management teams • Systems and process development • Customer experience and retention • Long-term business growth Interested in growing your cleaning business? Book a free 45-minute strategy call: https://www.misaelavalos.com If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, you need the right tools. We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication all in one place. Start your 2-week free trial and get 20% off for 6 months here: https://go.getjobber.com/misael For YouTube and Spotify: 🎥Subscribe: @misaavalos For more cleaning tips videos! 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos Jobber: https://go.getjobber.com/misael 🎙️Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast On Spotify 📞1-on-1 Call (45-FREE Minutes to talk about your business, CRAZYY, I know): 👇 https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call Want to be in the podcast? Please fill out this form, and we will contact you. Your journey matters! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

Episode Summary Finding clients isn't the hardest part of running a cleaning company. Finding and keeping great cleaners is. In Part 2 of this conversation, Victoria Westcott shares the hiring systems, employee retention strategies, recurring revenue model, and leadership lessons that helped her build a successful residential cleaning business. Victoria explains why many cleaning business owners focus on the wrong bottleneck, how to attract and retain experienced cleaners, and why recurring clients create a stronger and more profitable company than constantly chasing one-time jobs. She also discusses the importance of systems, boundaries, and building a business that can grow without creating chaos. Whether you're starting a cleaning company, managing a maid service, or scaling a residential cleaning business, this episode offers practical insights on hiring, retention, recurring revenue, and sustainable growth. What You'll Learn Victoria's step-by-step hiring process How to attract experienced cleaners Why hiring should never be emotional Employee retention strategies for cleaning businesses Daily pay versus traditional payroll Building recurring revenue through recurring clients Creating healthy client boundaries How recurring customers increase profitability The difference between growth and chaos Why systems matter more than hustle Leadership lessons learned from high employee turnover Guest Victoria Westcott Key Topics Cleaning business hiring Employee retention Recruiting cleaners Residential cleaning companies Maid service growth Recurring revenue Recurring cleaning clients Leadership Business systems Cleaning company operations Scaling a cleaning business Team culture Notable Quotes "The real problem isn't clients. It's finding cleaners." "Recurring revenue creates stability." "Systems matter more than hustle." We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, client communication, and recurring services all in one place. 🚀 Start your free trial and get 20% off for 6 months: https://go.getjobber.com/misael Connect With The Cleaning Journey 🎥 Subscribe: @misaavalos 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos 🎙️ Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast 📞 Free 45-Minute Discovery Call: https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call Want To Be A Guest? Apply to be on The Cleaning Journey Podcast: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

Episode Summary In this episode of The Cleaning Journey Podcast, Victoria Westcott explains why she believes the traditional cleaning company sales process is outdated and how modern cleaning businesses can grow faster through online booking, transparent pricing, automation, and customer-focused systems. Victoria shares her approach to running a residential cleaning business that prioritizes customer convenience, recurring clients, and operational efficiency. She discusses how online booking can improve conversions, why today's customers expect instant pricing, and how cleaning business owners can build systems that scale without adding unnecessary complexity. Whether you own a house cleaning company, maid service, residential cleaning business, or home service company, this episode offers practical insights on attracting better clients, improving the customer experience, and creating a more efficient business. What You'll Learn Why customers expect transparent pricing The benefits of online booking for cleaning businesses How automation improves customer experience Building scalable systems for a cleaning company How to attract and retain ideal clients Why simplifying the buying process increases conversions Guest Victoria Westcott Key Topics Cleaning business growth Online booking systems Transparent pricing Customer experience Residential cleaning companies Cleaning company systems Client acquisition Business automation Recurring cleaning clients Service business operations Notable Quotes "Customers want their problem solved." "Online booking changes everything." "Focus on your ideal customer." Victoria's Cleaning Company - https://www.instagram.com/oakbayclean/ If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, you need the right tools. We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication all in one place. Start your 2-week free trial and get 20% off for 6 months here: https://go.getjobber.com/misael For YouTube and Spotify: 🎥Subscribe: @misaavalos For more cleaning tips videos! 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos Jobber: https://go.getjobber.com/misael 🎙️Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast On Spotify 📞1-on-1 Call (45-FREE Minutes to talk about your business, CRAZYY, I know): 👇 https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call Want to be in the podcast? Please fill out this form, and we will contact you. Your journey matters! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

Burnout, Systems & Scaling a Cleaning Business Too Fast Misael Avalos sits down with Shania Gladwell, founder of Beskar Cleaning, to discuss the early years of building a cleaning company during COVID and the reality of scaling too quickly. Shania shares how she went from working in government recruitment to managing more than 80 employees while raising a newborn and trying to keep her business afloat during one of the most chaotic periods in recent history. This episode covers: ✅ Early growth in the cleaning industry ✅ Wearing every hat in the business ✅ Cleaning while hiring and training staff ✅ The mental toll of scaling too fast ✅ Burnout and becoming the operational bottleneck ✅ Virtual assistants and delegation ✅ Instant quoting systems and automation ✅ Why systems create freedom ✅ Leadership lessons from staying on the tools If you're currently overwhelmed in your cleaning business or struggling to remove yourself from operations, this episode will give you practical systems and mindset shifts to scale more sustainably. 🎧 Part 2 dives deeper into recurring revenue, luxury clients, hiring systems, retention, and building a premium scalable brand. 🔗 CONNECT WITH SHANIA GLADWELL 📺 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ShaniaGladwell 📱 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@venturementors?lang=en 📘 Free eBook — Uncompromising Success https://www.venturementors.com.au/resources/uncompromising-success Facebook 🧼 Beskar Cleaning https://www.facebook.com/beskarcleaning 🤖 Cornerstone AI https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572908942078 📈 Venture Mentors https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567442694090 🛠️ Beskar Tiling https://www.facebook.com/BeskarTiling 👤 Shania Gladwell https://www.facebook.com/shania.gladwell/ 💼 JOBBER — FREE TRIAL + 20% OFF Start your 2-week free trial and get 20% off for 6 months here: https://go.getjobber.com/misael 🎙️ THE CLEANING JOURNEY For YouTube and Spotify: 🎥Subscribe: ‪@misaavalos‬ For more cleaning tips videos! 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos Jobber: https://go.getjobber.com/misael 🎙️Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast On Spotify 📞1-on-1 Call (45-FREE Minutes to talk about your business, CRAZYY, I know): 👇 https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call Want to be in the podcast? Please fill out this form, and we will contact you. Your journey matters! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit 🧠 ABOUT SHANIA GLADWELL Shania Gladwell is the founder of Beskar Investments Group which includes Beskar Cleaning across 19 locations in Australia, Beskar Tiling, Cornerstone AI, and Venture Mentors. She helps service-based business owners scale through automation systems, leadership, hiring infrastructure, smart websites, CRM systems, and strategic growth consulting. Starting in the cleaning industry before expanding Australia-wide, Shania built and scaled her company into an award-winning business before transitioning into helping entrepreneurs globally create businesses that run without constant owner involvement.

In Part 2 of this conversation, Misael Avalos sits down again with Shania Gladwell, founder of Beskar Cleaning, to dive deeper into the systems and strategies that helped her build a premium recurring cleaning company operating across multiple locations in Australia. This episode focuses on recurring revenue, premium clients, hiring systems, automation, retention, and building a business that runs without the owner being involved in every task. Shania shares how she transitioned from everyday residential cleaning into luxury recurring services while building stronger systems, better client retention, and long-term operational freedom. In this episode, we discuss: ✅ Turning one-time customers into recurring clients ✅ Builder partnerships and referral systems ✅ Email automations and follow-up campaigns ✅ Selling recurring cleaning the right way ✅ Why wealthy customers buy differently ✅ How to attract premium luxury clients ✅ Networking and referral strategies ✅ Maintaining quality while scaling ✅ Leadership development and employee education ✅ Staff retention systems that actually work ✅ Building a sellable business asset ✅ Long-term entrepreneurial mindset If you want to build a recurring cleaning business with stronger systems, better clients, and long-term scalability, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🔗 CONNECT WITH SHANIA GLADWELL ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 📺 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ShaniaGladwell 📱 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@venturementors?lang=en 📘 Free eBook — Uncompromising Success https://www.venturementors.com.au/resources/uncompromising-success 🧼 Beskar Cleaning https://www.facebook.com/beskarcleaning 🤖 Cornerstone AI https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572908942078 📈 Venture Mentors https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567442694090 🛠️ Beskar Tiling https://www.facebook.com/BeskarTiling 👤 Shania Gladwell https://www.facebook.com/shania.gladwell/ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 💼 JOBBER — FREE TRIAL + 20% OFF ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, you need the right tools. We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication all in one place. Start your 2-week free trial and get 20% off for 6 months here: https://go.getjobber.com/misael ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🎙️ THE CLEANING JOURNEY ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🎥 Subscribe: ‪@misaavalos‬ for more cleaning business content 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos 🎙️ Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast 📞 1-on-1 Call (45 FREE Minutes to talk about your business 👇) https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call Want to be on the podcast? Your journey matters. Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🧠 ABOUT SHANIA GLADWELL ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Shania Gladwell is the founder of Beskar Investments Group, which includes Beskar Cleaning across 19 locations in Australia, Beskar Tiling, Cornerstone AI, and Venture Mentors. She helps service-based business owners scale through automation systems, leadership, hiring infrastructure, smart websites, CRM systems, and strategic growth consulting. Starting in the cleaning industry before expanding Australia-wide, Shania built and scaled her company into an award-winning business before transitioning into helping entrepreneurs globally create businesses that run without constant owner involvement. #cleaningbusiness #recurringrevenue #luxuryclients #entrepreneurship #businesssystems #automation #leadership #premiumclients #servicebusiness #cleaningjourney

How do you schedule 150+ homes per day without chaos? In Part 2 of this episode, Holly Moore breaks down the systems, scheduling strategies, hiring mindset, and company culture that helped her scale Maids & More into a massive residential cleaning operation. In This Episode We Cover: • Why most cleaning companies schedule the wrong way • How map-based scheduling changed everything • The software Holly built to run 150+ cleanings per day • Why sales should drive hiring — NOT the other way around • Handling call-outs and last-minute schedule changes at scale • Employee retention systems that actually work • Building culture inside a growing company • Review strategies that increase retention and motivate employees Guest: Holly Moore Founder of Maids & More Founder of The Cleaning Software Founder of MyCleanCon Follow Holly & The Cleaning Software: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553738314858 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecleaningsoftware/ Recommended Software: If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, we recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication all in one place. Start your 2-week free trial + get 20% off for 6 months: https://go.getjobber.com/misael Follow The Cleaning Journey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaningjourney/ Misael Avalos: https://www.instagram.com/misa.avalos/ Free 45-Minute Business Call: https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call Want To Be Featured On The Podcast? https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

What if saying no to clients is actually the thing that helps you scale? In this episode of The Cleaning Journey, Holly Moore breaks down the mindset and systems that took her from a chaotic $300K operation to building a multi-million dollar residential cleaning company with 150+ employees and 150+ homes serviced per day. Starting with just $1,200 from a school teacher's bonus, Holly built Maids and More into a powerhouse — and eventually stepped away as CEO after creating the systems, culture, and infrastructure needed to scale without her. This is Part 1 of her story, and it starts with a lesson most cleaning business owners ignore: stop taking every client. In this episode, we discuss: • Why taking every client is killing your growth • The early chaos of running a $300K cleaning business • How Holly scaled to 150+ employees and 150+ daily cleanings • The systems and scheduling structure that made growth possible • The mindset shift from operator to CEO • What it really takes to build a business that can run without you Holly Moore is the founder of Maids and More, as well as Taggle Cleaning Software and MyClecon. Her journey is a masterclass in building systems, creating culture, and scaling a cleaning business the right way. If you're stuck in the day-to-day, overwhelmed with growth, or trying to build something bigger than yourself — this episode will change how you think about scaling. Recommended Software for Cleaning Businesses If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, you need the right tools. We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication all in one place. Start your 2-week free trial and get 20% off for 6 months here: https://go.getjobber.com/misael Subscribe & Connect Subscribe to The Cleaning Journey Podcast for weekly conversations with cleaning business owners building profitable, systemized companies. Instagram: @cleaningjourney Instagram: @misa.avalos Book a free 45-minute discovery call: https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call Interested in being featured on the podcast? Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

What does it really look like to walk away from corporate careers and step into one of the most emotionally demanding industries out there? In this episode of The Cleaning Journey , Katie and Kyle Wilson share how they went from successful corporate roles to becoming co-owners of a Spaulding Decon franchise in Tampa, Florida — a crime scene and biohazard cleaning business that demands both operational precision and deep human empathy. After three years of researching business acquisition, building a detailed "buy box," and reviewing hundreds of opportunities, they found the right fit — a business aligned with their core values of resilience, connection, and growth beyond comfort. But nothing could have prepared them for what came next. In this episode, we cover: • How to build a buy box and evaluate acquisition opportunities • The difference between SDE vs. EBITDA (and why it matters) • What the first 90 days of ownership actually look like • Taking over existing systems and setting culture with a small team • The emotional reality of crime scene and biohazard cleaning • Their first job — an unattended death discovered six weeks later • Why surrounding yourself with the right people is critical when buying a business Katie brings a strong background in operational leadership and team scaling, having grown an organization from 2 to 30+ employees across multiple departments. Kyle's experience in large-scale logistics and project management now shapes his accountability-first approach to operations. Together, they offer a rare perspective on both the mechanics of buying a business and the human side of service work — from supporting grieving families to delivering real relief in difficult moments. At the core of their mission is a simple but powerful message: Check on your neighbor. Recommended Tool for Cleaning Business Owners If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, you need the right tools. We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication all in one place. Start your 2-week free trial and get 20% off for 6 months here: https://go.getjobber.com/misael Subscribe & Connect 🎥 YouTube: @misaavalos 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos 🎙️ Listen on Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast 📞 Book a free 45-minute discovery call: https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call Want to be featured on the podcast? Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

What if starting a cleaning business from scratch isn't the fastest way to grow? In this episode of The Cleaning Journey , Justin Ducharme breaks down exactly how he bought a cleaning business for under $100K, moved from Canada to San Diego on an E2 investor visa, and scaled it from just $5K/month to over $100K/month in recurring revenue — in only 8 months. This is a real, behind-the-scenes look at what happens when you skip the startup phase and step directly into ownership. If you've ever considered buying a cleaning business, growing your recurring revenue, or building a more scalable operation, this episode gives you a clear blueprint. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why buying a cleaning business can be faster than starting from scratch • How Justin used an E2 visa to acquire a business in the U.S. • The pricing strategy (hourly vs flat rate) that increases close rates • The simple one-question text script that closes jobs without a call • How to turn one-time customers into recurring clients • Why real video content outperforms AI-generated content for local services Justin Ducharme is the co-owner of WHB Cleaning in San Diego, CA. After running a car dealership in Canada for four years, he transitioned into the cleaning industry by acquiring an existing company and rapidly scaling it to six figures monthly. His journey was featured on Entrepreneur.com in 2024. Whether you're thinking about buying a cleaning business, improving your sales process, or building a more predictable recurring revenue model, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can apply immediately. Recommended Tool for Cleaning Business Owners If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, you need the right tools. We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication all in one place. Start your 2-week free trial and get 20% off for 6 months here: https://go.getjobber.com/misael Subscribe & Connect 🎥 YouTube: @misaavalos 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos 🎙️ Listen on Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast 📞 Book a free 45-minute discovery call: https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call Want to be featured on the podcast? Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

Cleaning business mindset is the real topic of this episode — and it's the one most owners avoid. In this episode of The Cleaning Journey, Misael Avalos sits down with Cheryl Hajjar , founder of Sisters Who Scale and creator of the Drop the Mop and Scale system. Cheryl built her cleaning company from $0 to over $850K — while reducing her workload to just 15–20 hours per week. But the real story isn't the revenue. It's the 10 years she spent cleaning solo… until a back injury forced her out of the field completely — and triggered the identity shift every cleaning business owner must go through to actually scale. If you feel stuck, burned out, or like your business depends entirely on you… this episode is going to hit home. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why your "servant's heart" might be the very thing keeping you stuck • How Cheryl went from unable to get out of bed to leading a 31-person team • The burnout threshold: why most owners don't scale until the pain is unbearable • What a $50K loss from one bad hire teaches about building real systems • Why consistency — not strategy — separates the owners who win from the ones who quit Cheryl also shares how her background as a national fitness competitor shaped the discipline and mindset she now teaches to hundreds of cleaning business owners looking to escape burnout and build true freedom. If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, you need the right tools. We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication — all in one place. 👉 Start your 2-week free trial + get 20% off for 6 months: https://go.getjobber.com/misael 🎥 Subscribe for more: @misaavalos 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos 🎙️ Listen on Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast 📞 Book a FREE 45-minute call: https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call 🎙️ Want to be on the podcast? Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

How do you hire cleaning employees — and actually keep them? In this episode of The Cleaning Journey, Misael Avalos sits down with Johnny Robinson of Home Service Academy to break down the exact systems that took him from hiring "the worst of the worst" to building a reliable recruiting machine. If you've ever felt stuck, understaffed, or held hostage by your team — this episode will completely change how you think about hiring. In this episode, you'll learn: • The "NFL bench method" to never depend on one employee again • Why one great cleaner is worth $5,000+/month — and how to find them • The performance pay model that attracts A-players and filters out the rest • A Harvard-backed stat (391% higher conversion) that will change how fast you respond to leads • The exact sales framework closing cold traffic at 50%+ nationwide Johnny also shares how he scaled a window cleaning business in California before transitioning into helping thousands of home service owners nationwide build better systems, teams, and sales processes. We also dive into: • Cleaning business pricing strategies • Building a lead follow-up system using email + text automation • The "Facebook Grand Opening Method" to generate clients with zero ad spend • How to confidently handle price objections If you're serious about removing yourself as the bottleneck in your business, you need the right systems in place. We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication — all in one place. 👉 Start your 2-week free trial + get 20% off for 6 months: https://go.getjobber.com/misael 🎥 Subscribe for more: @misaavalos 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos 🎙️ Listen on Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast 📞 Book a FREE 45-minute call: https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call 🎙️ Want to be on the podcast? Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit