Filthy Rich Cleaners: The Cleaning Business Podcast

#22: The Cleaning Industry's Dirty Little Secret: Why Your Cleaner's Safety Can't Wait

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.

#21: Breaking into Commercial Cleaning: From Cold Calls to 7-Figure Contracts

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.

#20: What to Do When Your Revenue Is Down (Hint: Don't Panic)

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.

#19: How to Ride the Emotional Rollercoaster of Cleaning Business Ownership with Carolyn Arellano

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/

#18: Answering Your Burning Questions (Childcare, Drug Testing, Call-Outs & More!)

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.

#17: "They ALL Quit in One Day!" How She Rebuilt Her Cleaning Business After a Mass Walkout

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.

#16: How to Avoid Legal Nightmares in Your Cleaning Business

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.

#15: Tired of Cleaners Quitting? This Owner Kept Her Staff for 9 Years

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.

#14: The $20,000 Mistake That Taught Me to Trust My Gut in Business

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.

#13: Why Libby DeLucien Slowed Down Her $2M Organizing Company

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.