The Business of Cleaning

In this month’s episode of The Business of Cleaning, we sit down with Sharon Cowan, CBSE, owner of Cleaning Business Consulting Group to discuss the steps you need to follow to sell your commercial cleaning company. Sharon is a seasoned entrepreneur, educator, and consultant with over 30 years of experience in the residential and commercial cleaning industry. As Chairman and President of Cleaning Business Consulting Group, she provides personalized coaching and strategic guidance to help individuals launch or grow profitable cleaning businesses. Sharon is widely recognized as an industry expert, combining her background in corporate leadership, marketing, operations, and business development to deliver results-oriented support.

Rob Anspach, a marketing consultant and former carpet cleaning business owner, shares his journey from entrepreneurship to media. He discusses innovative marketing strategies that increased his average sale from $75 to over $500. Rob shares SEO, email marketing, and social media strategies designed to help commercial cleaning professionals attract more clients and stand out in a competitive market.

In this month's episode of The Business of Cleaning we talk with Nate Lucht, owner of Spotless Enterprise Corp, who shares his journey from various unfulfilling jobs to founding a successful cleaning business. Nate highlights the significance of employee relationships, retaining 90% of his employees, and the importance of mindset, systems, and documentation. Nate's philosophy centers on serving employees and clients, fostering a supportive and growth-oriented culture, and overcoming challenges through continuous learning and adaptation.

Kendal St Louis, CEO of Ladnek, shares his journey from construction work to a successful commercial cleaning business owner in Trinidad and Tobago. Starting with a side hustle selling snacks, he transitioned to cleaning, growing from a solo entrepreneur to managing over 200 employees. Kendall explores the role of social media, particularly TikTok, has played in helping him build brand awareness and attracting new clients.

Dr. Ian Charlery, owner of A One Cleaning Services in the Cayman Islands, discusses his leadership journey, emphasizing empathy, accountability, and innovation. He transitioned to the cleaning industry after years of working as a police officer. Dr. Charlery highlights the importance of clear communication, continuous training, and employee support. He also shares his experience representing the Cayman Islands in the FIA Motorsport Games and his vision for industry growth and employee well-being.

As 2024 comes to a close, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude to our incredible BOC community. Join us in celebrating our top conversations of the year with our 'best of' episode. Stay tuned for more amazing content in 2025.

Wendy Dietzler, Senior Director of Events & Education for Trade Press Incorporated, emphasizes the importance of Building Service Contractors attending the Clean Buildings Conference on Tuesday, March 25th, and Wednesday, March 26th, in Baltimore, Maryland. The Clean Buildings Conference (CBC) and NFMT events unite building service contractors, in-house cleaning professionals, and facility managers, offering valuable networking and educational opportunities. Key topics include staffing challenges, recruitment, retention, and the need to support and celebrate workers. Additionally, industry experts will explore the growing impact of AI, automation, and technology, addressing both the opportunities and uncertainties they bring to the cleaning industry.

Bill Dunn spent decades in the wine and spirits business where he successfully recruited, hired, trained, and mentored future leaders. But his goal was to one day own his own company. Approaching his 50’s he took a gamble by pulling all his resources together and purchasing CNS Cleaning in 2021. CNS Cleaning now has over 1,000 monthly accounts and has tripled revenue since acquisition. Dunn emphasizes the importance of employee care, continuous improvement, and strategic marketing in growing a business.

Ed Nichols, President of The ISSA Show North America discusses why this show is the premier trade show for the commercial cleaning industry, attracting over 600 exhibitors from 23 countries and nearly 13,000 professionals annually. This event acts as an industry barometer, displaying the latest products, innovations, and educational opportunities, and consistently aims to exceed expectations for both attendees and exhibitors. Networking and in-person connections are a central focus, with curated experiences tailored to various segments within the industry. The educational program has been significantly expanded this year, offering over 170 sessions covering a wide range of relevant topics for extensive learning opportunities. First-time attendees are encouraged to prepare thoroughly by registering early, downloading the mobile app, and utilizing available resources to optimize their time and maximize return on investment.

Matt and Greg Stowe have been with Octoclean since 1989 when their parents founded the business. They spent early mornings and late nights mastering the trade. Today, they oversee more than 60 franchise owners delivering services across Southern California and Arizona. Matt and Greg currently reside in Riverside, California.