The Business of Cleaning

In 2016, Illissa Figueroa and Ana Chicas McNamara decided to start their own cleaning business despite only knowing each other for six months. Join us as we look at their journey in the cleaning industry, from humbling beginnings to industry success.

Jason Davis found himself trapped in the monotonous routine of his dream job in banking, enduring the daily grind of 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The toll of this predictable work schedule eventually convinced him that it wasn't the right path for him. One day, on impulse, he walked away from his banking career without a plan. Encouraged by his wife, he connected with the cleaners at her workplace, which sparked the idea of starting Forte Commercial Cleaning in Salt Lake City, Utah. Recently, Jason and Forte Commercial Cleaning gained national attention for their initiative in offering job opportunities to homeless individuals. Jason attributes the philosophy of "The Go-Giver" to his company's philosophy of inclusivity, providing employment opportunities to those in need. He takes pride in providing fresh starts for people and helping them to develop their skills to enhance their career paths. Since 2019, Forte Commercial Cleaning has held the cleaning contract for the Delta Center, home of the Utah Jazz. Every night, over 100 people gather to clean the entire arena within four to five hours. What sets Forte apart from competitors is their commitment to same-day payment, a promise they always fulfill. Jason believes that consistent attention to detail, even in seemingly small matters, fosters a loyal and dedicated workforce.

In the mid-1980s, Don Aslett made a pivotal stop at the Edison Museum en route to a Boy Scout jamboree, where he conceived the vision of establishing a museum dedicated to cleanliness. He envisioned a space that would pay homage to the past, present, and future of the cleaning industry, with a particular emphasis on showcasing classic equipment. This idea began to take shape when Don acquired 250 premium pre-electric vacuums in 2006. Finally, almost 30 years later, in 2011, his dream materialized with the opening of The Museum of Clean in Pocatello, Idaho. The museum draws both local and national tourists eager to explore its 74,000 square foot (occupying one city block) complex, offering excitement, education, and inspiration for the entire family. #businessofcleaning #janitorialmanager

Joel Craddock's first experience in the commercial cleaning industry came from his church, where he made $0.25 an hour. The job taught him hard work and responsibility from a young age. If he woke up, he knew that his job expected him to be at work. While in college, Joel worked his way up to an operations manager position for one of the biggest commercial cleaning companies in the Rochester, New York area. In this role he had hundreds of employees reporting to him at just 23 years old. While it was intimidating and a steep learning curve, he accepted the challenge. This opportunity forced him outside of his comfort zone and prepared him for his future as a business owner in the commercial cleaning industry. Joel dedicated himself to cleaning for health as a business owner when a doctor told him that he had more chemicals in his body than an embalmed person. When he first started in the industry, no one used personal protective equipment. Because of this, he has long-term lung, hand, and feet damage. He knew when he started Doc's Facilities Solutions, he needed to focus on protecting his employees and his clients. His clients realized cleaning for health was working when their employees were taking fewer PTO days and carrying over time to the next year.

Steven Harper shares his journey from the corporate world to starting his own commercial cleaning company. He emphasizes the importance of flexibility and growth as a leader. The podcast explores the evolution of the company's vision and the significance of understanding the company's 'why' in attracting the right customers. It also discusses the rebranding process, digital marketing efforts, and the importance of sharing values with clients.

As 2023 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 2024.

Mark's industry expertise is unique. He provides an in-depth breakdown of cross-selling and upselling in this episode, discussing how cleaners can better serve their customers. He stated that "people don’t realize they’re leaving money on the table with current customers." He dives into scaling a business and emphasizes the importance of having a developed plan before considering scaling. In fact, according to Mark, premature scaling and organization is why 74% of startups fail. To succeed, Mark points out the significance of surrounding yourself with experts in other areas once your operation, allowing you to acquire new skills. Aditionally, Mark recently launched a podcast called Polishing Profits with industry experts.

Over the past three years, sales approaches have witnessed a profound transformation, catalyzed primarily by the seismic impact of the 2020 pandemic. In this evolving landscape, MJ Mrga, Manager of Business Development for GDI Services, underscores the paramount importance of adaptability. The ability to be an empathetic listener and thoroughly comprehend customer needs has assumed heightened significance in virtual interactions. MJ imparts invaluable insights into achieving success by honing these critical skills and meticulously attending to the details in every client interaction.

Like numerous businesses, Imperial Cleaners faced setbacks during the pandemic, particularly in staffing qualified candidates. With a population exceeding one million in Nova Scotia, the company needed to expand its horizons beyond provincial borders to locate and hire the right individuals. This expansion introduced challenges related to longer commutes and transportation logistics. However, Imperial Cleaning didn't allow these hurdles to impede its progress. Instead, the company embraced the difficulties by adopting innovative solutions. Collaborating with a recruitment agency, they addressed their staffing needs with determination. Beyond this, Imperial harnessed the power of social media, leveraging platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to reach and engage potential candidates effectively.