Filthy Rich Cleaners: The Cleaning Business Podcast

#32: The Client Isn’t Always Right — Why We Fired a “Good” Account

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

#31: She Left Wall Street and Built a Thriving Cleaning Business (Here’s How)

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

#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/

#29: How She Merged With Her Competitor and Built a Cleaning Empire Together

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.

#28: How Much Does a 7-Figure Business Owner Take Home? + More Juicy Q&A's

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.

#27: The Lead-Converting Marketing Secrets Most Cleaning Businesses Get Wrong

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.

#26: The Client Retention Strategy Your Competitors Don't Want You to Know

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.

#25: How Kate Croukamp Built a 7-Figure Product Line in Her Cleaning Business

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/

#24: Why I'm Cutting a $56k Service from My Cleaning Business

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/]

#23: Stop Making Excuses: How to Overcome Your Mental Barriers to Success with Liz Trotter

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.