This podcast is powered by Klean Freaks University.com — where real cleaners build real empires. From mop buckets to million-dollar systems, we teach you how to clean smarter, lead stronger, and scale faster.

Welcome back to Cleaning Business Life!

Hiring someone is only the first step. What happens on their very first day can have a lasting impact on whether they become a confident, long-term employee—or start looking for another job before the week is over.

In this episode, Shannon Miller and Jamie Runco discuss what a successful first day of training should actually look like. From setting expectations before your new hire ever walks through the door to building confidence, teaching company culture, and recognizing the green flags of a great employee, this episode is packed with practical advice you can implement immediately.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What should happen before your employee's first day
• Why company culture should come before cleaning techniques
• Whether new hires should observe or jump right in
• The biggest training mistakes business owners make
• The most common mistakes new employees make
• The green flags and red flags to watch for
• How to end Day One so your employee is excited to come back tomorrow

Remember, your goal isn't to create the perfect cleaner on Day One.

Your goal is to create someone who feels confident enough to come back on Day Two.

Recommended Episodes

• Episode 210 – Culture Starts at the Top with Paul Germo

• Episode 205 – Stop Being Needed: The Growth Trap That Keeps Cleaning Business Owners Stuck

• Episode 207 – Are You Running Your Cleaning Techs... or Are They Running You?

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with another cleaning business owner. It helps us reach more entrepreneurs who are working to build profitable businesses, stronger teams, and assets that buy back their time.

You can also join the conversation on the Cleaning Business Life Facebook page, where we share additional tips, lessons, and behind-the-scenes insights between episodes.

You can also learn how to do your own working interviews here:

https://klean-freaks-university.newzenler.com/courses/nm0owatg

Support the show

Thanks for tuning in to Cleaning Business Life — the podcast for cleaning business owners who want to build a profitable, sustainable company without burning out.

Hosted by Shannon Miller and Jamie Runco, each episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to start, grow, and scale a cleaning business — covering pricing, systems, leadership, boundaries, and the real conversations most people avoid.

🎧 New episodes 2x weekly
📚 Resources, show notes, and programs: https://kleanfreaksuniversity.com

Because in life — and in business — clean is just the beginning.

— Shannon & Jamie

This podcast is powered by Klean Freaks University.com — where real cleaners build real empires. From mop buckets to million-dollar systems, we teach you how to clean smarter, lead stronger, and scale faster.

Hiring the wrong employee can cost you far more than a few days of training.

It can cost you customers, morale, time, and confidence.

In this episode of Cleaning Business Life, Shannon Miller and Jamie Runco discuss the interview red flags they've learned to recognize after years of hiring, training, and leading teams in the residential cleaning industry. From candidates who arrive late and blame every former employer to those subtle warning signs that are easy to overlook when you're desperate to fill a position, this conversation is full of practical lessons that can help you make better hiring decisions.

But it's not all about what to avoid.

We also discuss the green flags—the qualities that often lead to dependable, coachable, long-term employees who become valuable members of your team.

Whether you're hiring your very first employee or adding to an established company, this episode will help you slow down, ask better questions, and trust what people are showing you during the interview process.

If you enjoyed this episode, we also recommend:

• Episode 214: Training Day One – What Should It Look Like?
• Episode 210: Culture Comes From the Top
• Episode 206: Scaling Pains – The Problems Nobody Warns You About
• Episode 212: Your Customers Don't Pay You for Hard Work

Together, these episodes will help you hire better, train better, and build a business that doesn't depend on luck—it depends on systems, leadership, and intentional decisions.

If this episode helped you, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with another cleaning business owner. Every share helps us reach more entrepreneurs who are building businesses that create freedom instead of burnout.

You can also connect with us on the Cleaning Business Life Facebook page, where the conversation continues between episodes.

Thanks for listening to Cleaning Business Life. Until next time, keep building assets that buy back your time.

Get the working interview course.

https://klean-freaks-university.newzenler.com/courses/nm0owatg

Support the show

Thanks for tuning in to Cleaning Business Life — the podcast for cleaning business owners who want to build a profitable, sustainable company without burning out.

Hosted by Shannon Miller and Jamie Runco, each episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to start, grow, and scale a cleaning business — covering pricing, systems, leadership, boundaries, and the real conversations most people avoid.

🎧 New episodes 2x weekly
📚 Resources, show notes, and programs: https://kleanfreaksuniversity.com

Because in life — and in business — clean is just the beginning.

— Shannon & Jamie

This podcast is powered by Klean Freaks University.com — where real cleaners build real empires. From mop buckets to million-dollar systems, we teach you how to clean smarter, lead stronger, and scale faster.

Your Customers Don't Pay You for Hard Work

Working hard is something to be proud of.

But here's the truth many business owners need to hear...

Your customers don't pay you for how hard you worked. They pay you for the problem you solved.

In this episode of Cleaning Business Life, Shannon explores the difference between effort and value, and why understanding that distinction can completely change the way you price your services, lead your team, and grow your business.

Using real-world cleaning business examples, customer psychology, and even lessons inspired by Disney, you'll discover why customers remember the experience you create—not the hours you put in behind the scenes.

If you've ever felt like your hard work goes unnoticed, this episode will help you shift your thinking from proving your effort to delivering exceptional value.

You'll learn why:

• Hard work is the cost of entry—not your competitive advantage.
• Customers buy peace of mind, convenience, and trust.
• Pricing should reflect value, not exhaustion.
• Consistency creates customer loyalty.
• Great businesses focus on solving problems, not explaining how hard they worked.

Whether you're a solo cleaner or leading a growing team, this episode will challenge the way you think about service, pricing, leadership, and the customer experience.

Learn more at:
https://www.kleanfreaksuniversity.com

Follow the Cleaning Business Life Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/CleaningBusinessLife

Listen to more episodes:
https://cleaningbusinesslife.buzzsprout.com

Because at the end of the day...

People don't pay for your struggle. They pay for your solution.

Support the show

Thanks for tuning in to Cleaning Business Life — the podcast for cleaning business owners who want to build a profitable, sustainable company without burning out.

Hosted by Shannon Miller and Jamie Runco, each episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to start, grow, and scale a cleaning business — covering pricing, systems, leadership, boundaries, and the real conversations most people avoid.

🎧 New episodes 2x weekly
📚 Resources, show notes, and programs: https://kleanfreaksuniversity.com

Because in life — and in business — clean is just the beginning.

— Shannon & Jamie

This podcast is powered by Klean Freaks University.com — where real cleaners build real empires. From mop buckets to million-dollar systems, we teach you how to clean smarter, lead stronger, and scale faster.

Support the show

Thanks for tuning in to Cleaning Business Life — the podcast for cleaning business owners who want to build a profitable, sustainable company without burning out.

Hosted by Shannon Miller and Jamie Runco, each episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to start, grow, and scale a cleaning business — covering pricing, systems, leadership, boundaries, and the real conversations most people avoid.

🎧 New episodes 2x weekly
📚 Resources, show notes, and programs: https://kleanfreaksuniversity.com

Because in life — and in business — clean is just the beginning.

— Shannon & Jamie

This podcast is powered by Klean Freaks University.com — where real cleaners build real empires. From mop buckets to million-dollar systems, we teach you how to clean smarter, lead stronger, and scale faster.

Company culture isn't built by accident—it starts with leadership.

In this episode of Cleaning Business Life, Shannon sits down with Paul Germo for an honest conversation about what really creates a strong company culture. They explore the connection between leadership, accountability, communication, and the everyday decisions that shape how a team performs.

If you've ever found yourself wondering why employees don't seem engaged, why turnover keeps happening, or why your team isn't taking ownership, this episode will challenge you to look at culture from a different perspective.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why culture starts at the top
• The owner's role in shaping company culture
• How accountability and trust work together
• Common leadership mistakes that weaken a team
• What great leaders do differently
• Why systems and culture go hand in hand
• How to build a workplace where people want to stay

Whether you're a solo cleaner preparing to hire your first employee or leading a growing team, this conversation is full of practical leadership insights you can apply immediately.

Connect with Paul Germo:

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1DwrzUXr8o/

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgermo

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/pgermo

TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@paulsgermo

YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@psgermo

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another cleaning business owner. Every share helps us reach more entrepreneurs who are building businesses—and lives—they want to participate in.

Support the show

Thanks for tuning in to Cleaning Business Life — the podcast for cleaning business owners who want to build a profitable, sustainable company without burning out.

Hosted by Shannon Miller and Jamie Runco, each episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to start, grow, and scale a cleaning business — covering pricing, systems, leadership, boundaries, and the real conversations most people avoid.

🎧 New episodes 2x weekly
📚 Resources, show notes, and programs: https://kleanfreaksuniversity.com

Because in life — and in business — clean is just the beginning.

— Shannon & Jamie

This podcast is powered by Klean Freaks University.com — where real cleaners build real empires. From mop buckets to million-dollar systems, we teach you how to clean smarter, lead stronger, and scale faster.

As business owners, we spend a lot of time worrying about competitors, the economy, staffing, pricing, and finding new customers.

But what if the biggest threat to your business is sitting in the owner's chair?

In this episode of Cleaning Business Life, Shannon explores a powerful lesson inspired by a recent industry presentation: sometimes the company needs protection from the owner.

From emotional decision-making and inconsistent policies to excessive discounting and constantly changing the rules, many of the challenges we face in business are self-inflicted. The good news? Once we recognize them, we can fix them.

In this episode, you'll learn:

✔ Why chaos is expensive
✔ How emotional decisions impact profitability
✔ The difference between revenue and control
✔ Why visibility matters more than hope
✔ How rules protect profit and create freedom
✔ Why what got you here won't get you there
✔ How growing businesses require new systems, new thinking, and new leadership

This isn't about beating yourself up as a business owner. It's about recognizing where we may be creating unnecessary challenges and building systems that allow our companies to grow without depending on our emotions, habits, or impulses.

Because sometimes the most important leadership lesson is realizing that the business needs protection from you.

🎙️ Cleaning Business Life
Helping cleaning business owners charge more, earn more, and stress less.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another cleaning business owner who needs to hear it.

Support the show

Thanks for tuning in to Cleaning Business Life — the podcast for cleaning business owners who want to build a profitable, sustainable company without burning out.

Hosted by Shannon Miller and Jamie Runco, each episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to start, grow, and scale a cleaning business — covering pricing, systems, leadership, boundaries, and the real conversations most people avoid.

🎧 New episodes 2x weekly
📚 Resources, show notes, and programs: https://kleanfreaksuniversity.com

Because in life — and in business — clean is just the beginning.

— Shannon & Jamie

This podcast is powered by Klean Freaks University.com — where real cleaners build real empires. From mop buckets to million-dollar systems, we teach you how to clean smarter, lead stronger, and scale faster.

I was taught from a young age to follow the rules.

The problem was... I hated the rules.

More specifically, I hated culottes.

What followed was an elaborate daily operation involving school uniforms, carefully rolled clothing, strategic wardrobe changes, and more effort than any kid should have been willing to invest just to avoid wearing something they didn't like.

Looking back, it sounds completely ridiculous.

At the time, it felt perfectly logical.

In this episode, I'm sharing the story of my ongoing battle with culottes, the lengths I went to in order to fit in, and why some of the things we do as kids make a lot more sense when viewed through the eyes of our younger selves.

Sometimes the funniest stories are the ones that seemed completely normal at the time.

🎙️ In this episode:
• School uniforms and strict dress codes
• My secret clothing-changing routine
• Why fitting in felt so important
• Looking back with a different perspective
• The infamous culotte saga

If you've ever had a fashion choice, school rule, or childhood memory that still makes you laugh, this episode is for you.

📌 Subscribe for more stories, lessons, and real conversations about business, life, and everything in between.

#CleaningBusinessLife #Podcast #SchoolUniforms #Culottes #Storytime #ChildhoodMemories #LifeLessons

Support the show

Thanks for tuning in to Cleaning Business Life — the podcast for cleaning business owners who want to build a profitable, sustainable company without burning out.

Hosted by Shannon Miller and Jamie Runco, each episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to start, grow, and scale a cleaning business — covering pricing, systems, leadership, boundaries, and the real conversations most people avoid.

🎧 New episodes 2x weekly
📚 Resources, show notes, and programs: https://kleanfreaksuniversity.com

Because in life — and in business — clean is just the beginning.

— Shannon & Jamie

This podcast is powered by Klean Freaks University.com — where real cleaners build real empires. From mop buckets to million-dollar systems, we teach you how to clean smarter, lead stronger, and scale faster.

What does it really take to build an $11.5 million cleaning company?

In this episode of Cleaning Business Life, Jamie Runco and Shannon Miller sit down with Holly Moore, founder of Maids & Moore, creator of The Cleaning Software, Founder Member of the now infamous "Clean Con" to talk about the lessons she learned while scaling from a small local cleaning business to one of the largest residential cleaning companies in Texas.

Holly shares her journey from leaving a teaching career and cleaning homes herself to leading a company with more than 140 cleaning technicians, multiple locations, and a leadership team that allows her to focus on innovation and growth.

We discuss:

🧹 The "March to a Million" and how goal setting helped transform her company

🧹 Why company culture isn't accidental—and how to intentionally create it

🧹 The biggest mistakes owners make when trying to scale

🧹 Why delegation is essential if you want to grow past the owner-operator stage

🧹 Building leadership teams and promoting from within

🧹 Trainer-to-technician ratios, quality control systems, and operational structure

🧹 How she built The Cleaning Software after outgrowing traditional CRMs

🧹 Why route density and smarter scheduling matter more than most owners realize

🧹 Her thoughts on CleanCon and the importance of community in the cleaning industry

And one of the most powerful lessons from the entire conversation:

Stop selling time. Sell the scope of work.

If you've ever felt stuck at a revenue ceiling, struggled to let go of control, or wondered what it takes to build a business that can run without you, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately.

Resources Mentioned

🎯 Learn more about The Cleaning Software:
https://www.thecleaningsoftware.com

🎯 Holly Moore's YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@thecleaningsoftware

🎯 CleanCon:
https://mycleancon.com

Connect With Us

🎙 Cleaning Business Life Podcast
Cleaning Business Life Podcast

Key Takeaway

"You cannot work on your business if you're constantly working in it."

Sometimes the next level of growth isn't about working harder.

It's about learning to let go. 💗

Support the show

Thanks for tuning in to Cleaning Business Life — the podcast for cleaning business owners who want to build a profitable, sustainable company without burning out.

Hosted by Shannon Miller and Jamie Runco, each episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to start, grow, and scale a cleaning business — covering pricing, systems, leadership, boundaries, and the real conversations most people avoid.

🎧 New episodes 2x weekly
📚 Resources, show notes, and programs: https://kleanfreaksuniversity.com

Because in life — and in business — clean is just the beginning.

— Shannon & Jamie