🍸✨ He got fired at 24 with no savings, no plan — and built a 7-figure cleaning company in 3 years. This one is REAL.

🎙️ Ricky Regalado sits down with Matthew Christou — Co-Founder of Big League Clean, automation expert, and one of the most exciting young entrepreneurs in the cleaning industry — a guy who turned $30,000 in credit card debt, unemployment checks, and 3:45 AM wake-up calls into a multi-state, 7-figure operation trusted by Lululemon, Penske, Greystar, and Restoration Hardware. 💥
And trust us… the gems don't stop coming. 💎

🚀 Here's just a taste of what they get into:

⚾ The Big League Clean origin story — How a TikTok, a chance meeting with co-founder Nash, and a minor league baseball dream turned into one of the fastest-growing commercial cleaning brands in America.

💳 $30K in debt, no income, grinding at 3:45 AM — The raw, unfiltered story of what the first six months of building a cleaning business actually looks like. No sugarcoating.

🧠 Imposter Syndrome is your superpower — Why feeling like you don't belong in the room is actually the exact sign you should be there — and how to use it as fuel.

🤖 Automations that changed everything — The exact missed call workflow, review control system, and Dream 100 outreach strategy that helped Big League Clean run without Matt or Nash being the bottleneck.

🖱️ The efficiency gift you didn't know you needed — Matt gifts Ricky live on camera and breaks down the MX Master mouse + Whisper combo that eliminated his keyboard entirely and 3-5X'd his daily output.

📈 Running a 7-figure business in 5 hours a week — How Big League Clean built automated systems that grow the business whether they're there or not — and how YOU can too.

🎙️ Whether you're a cleaning business owner under a million, scaling to $50M+, a supplier rep, a facility manager, or a tech founder — this episode is for YOU. 🧹🏢💼Matt doesn't just talk theory. He's lived every painful, unglamorous, credit-card-maxing moment of it — and now he's giving away the exact automations that run Big League Clean, completely free. This is real talk, real strategy, and real value. 🚀

🔚 And he ends it with a challenge that every cleaning business owner needs to hear — whether you're on day one or year twenty.

🔗 Connect with Matt: www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-christou-a913a1281
💻 Get the 5 automations that run Big League Clean: www.mattchristou.com 
📧 Business inquiries: [email protected]

✅ Don't miss out on more valuable content and expert advice - Subscribe now! 🌐

🚀 Follow us for more insights and success stories from the cleaning and facilities management industry!
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaningandcocktails/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cleaningandcocktails/?_rdr
📊 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleaning-cocktails/posts/?feedView=all

C&C powered by:🌐 Route - A platform of business management tools for Sales, Operations, Subcontracting, Community & Education. We are improving the business of cleaning by connecting the entire industry!
Join Route Nation! www.getroute.com

#CleaningAndCocktails #Automation #AIforBusiness #CleaningBusiness #WorkSmarter #BusinessAutomation #CleaningIndustry #ScaleYourBusiness #ArtificialIntelligence #BigLeagueClean #BusinessEfficiency #CleaningBusinessOwner #SystemsAndProcesses #Passiv

🍸✨ This episode has been in the making for over a year — and it was worth every second.

🎙️Ricky Regalado sits down with John Ravaris — Chief Growth Officer, Founder of UVP Solutions, and author of "Define Value, Drive Growth" — a powerhouse with 35+ years of experience helping businesses across manufacturing, distribution, and services stop blending in and start winning. 💥

And trust us… the gems don't stop coming. 💎

🚀 Here's just a taste of what they get into:

❓ Why should I choose YOU? — The one question every business owner should be able to answer in 30 seconds or less… but most can't.

🗺️ The 4D Roadmap™ — Discover. Develop. Deploy. Delight. A game-changing framework that bridges marketing AND sales into one powerful growth engine.

🤝 Clients vs. Customers — Why the word you use changes everything about how you show up, sell, and retain.

🔍 The power of curiosity — Why the best salespeople ask more than they talk — and how it transforms every relationship.

📈 Retention is your growth strategy — Why keeping what you have IS the formula for scaling fast and smart.

🧠 Inch wide, mile deep — Why doing two things exceptionally well beats doing twelve things poorly every single time.

🎙️Whether you're a cleaning business owner under a million, scaling to $50M+, a supplier rep, a facility manager, or a tech founder — this episode is for YOU. 🧹🏢💼

John doesn't just talk theory. He's lived it — from toilet bowl cleaner to Harvard Maintenance to building UVP Solutions from the ground up. This is real talk, real strategy, and real value. 🚀

🔚 And he ends it with the one rule he'd institute in business and life. Simple. Powerful. You're going to want to hear it.

📖 Grab John's book "Define Value, Drive Growth" on Amazon🔗 Connect with John: www.linkedin.com/in/john-ravaris-128a46a💻 Learn more at: www.uvpsolutions.com

✅ Don't miss out on more valuable content and expert advice - Subscribe now! 🌐

🚀 Follow us for more insights and success stories from the cleaning and facilities management industry!
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaningandcocktails/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cleaningandcocktails/?_rdr
📊 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleaning-cocktails/posts/?feedView=all

C&C powered by:
🌐 Route - A platform of business management tools for Sales, Operations, Subcontracting, Community & Education. We are improving the business of cleaning by connecting the entire industry!
Join Route Nation! www.getroute.com

🎟️ And don't miss C&C Live Chicago 2026 — purchase your tickets now at www.cleaningandcocktails.com

🎙️✨ Buckle up for another power-packed episode of Cleaning & Cocktails, where we sit down with two trailblazers who are completely rewriting the rules of the cleaning industry! This one is LOADED with real talk on sales, tech, pricing strategy, and what it actually takes to scale. 🚀

🌟 Greg Sack, Co-Founder & CRO of PINCH, is not your typical cleaning industry insider — and that's exactly what makes him dangerous. From selling a logistics company to FedEx at age 38, to diving headfirst into multifamily property management, Greg saw a broken system and built something better. PINCH started as an Uber-style cleaning app, pivoted hard, and has evolved into a nationwide, provider-friendly powerhouse that's changing how property managers handle turnover cleaning forever. If you want to hear what it looks like to fail fast, pivot smart, and build with purpose — Greg's story is everything. 💼🔥

🏢 Sara Coen, Director of Business Development at PINCH, is a sales force of nature. With 10+ years around commercial buildings, 5+ years in franchising, and 20+ years in sales — Sara brings the kind of street-level, boots-on-the-ground expertise that closes deals and protects providers. She walked into a conversation with Greg and said "why wait?" to going national — and landed herself a job offer. That's the energy she brings every. single. day. 💪✨

🔵 Together, Greg and Sara are on a mission at PINCH (pinch.cleaning) — a single, streamlined solution for property management teams to manage all their turnover and common area cleaning needs across multiple properties. One vendor. Standardized invoicing. A national network of vetted, trained cleaning teams. The industry's lowest cleaning fees. This isn't just a company — it's a movement. 💰📊

🎬 In this episode, we get into ALL of it:
* How PINCH went from a failed app to a nationwide B2B platform 🔄
* Why communication — not cleaning quality — is the #1 reason clients switch providers 🗣️
* The "race to the bottom" pricing trap and how to escape it 💸
* Why mid-size property managers are the BIGGEST untapped opportunity right now 🏗️
* How PINCH trains providers on the business of cleaning — not just how to clean 🎓
* The truth about tech adoption: stop building apps nobody asked for 📵
* Why you're not in the cleaning business — you're in the people business 🤝
* And the one sassy comment that got Sara hired on the spot 😂

This episode will hit different whether you're a cleaning business owner, a property manager, or a sales professional trying to level up. Real stories. Real strategy. Real fire. 🔥

🔗 Connect with our amazing guests:
* Greg Sack: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregsack
* Sara Coen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-coen-84a8a178
* PINCH: https://www.pinch.cleaning

🚀 Stay tuned for more in-depth conversations and success stories from top leaders in the business world. We're bringing you the best of entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation!

✅ Don't miss out on more valuable content and expert advice - Subscribe now! 🌐

🚀 Follow us for more insights and success stories from the cleaning and facilities management industry!
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaningandcocktails/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cleaningandcocktails/?_rdr
📊 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleaning-cocktails/posts/?feedView=all

C&C powered by:
🌐 Route - A platform of business management tools for Sales, Operations, Subcontracting, Community & Education. We are improving the business of cleaning by connecting the entire industry!
Join Route Nation! www.getroute.com

🎙️✨ In this high-impact episode of Cleaning & Cocktails, we sit down with marketing powerhouse, entrepreneur, and direct mail disruptor — David Carroll!

🚀 As the Founder & CEO of DOPE Marketing, David has transformed the way businesses approach direct mail—making it faster, smarter, and more accessible than ever. With next-day postcard delivery, zero minimum orders, and powerful automation tools, he’s helping companies of all sizes unlock a marketing channel that actually delivers results.

💼 With over a decade of experience in marketing strategy, sales, and data-driven growth, David also leads A Type Data, where he helps businesses leverage high-quality consumer and B2B data for better targeting, cleaner lists, and higher ROI campaigns.

💡 From building a successful exterior cleaning company to scaling multiple marketing businesses, David brings real-world experience and a no-BS approach to what actually works in today’s competitive landscape.

🔥 In this episode, David breaks down the truth about direct mail, how to stand out in a crowded market, and why combining data + execution is the ultimate growth advantage.

💡 What you’ll learn in this episode:• Why direct mail is making a massive comeback• How to target the right audience with precision data• The power of automation in modern marketing campaigns• Lessons from scaling multiple businesses from the ground up• How service-based businesses can win with simple, proven strategies

🎯 Whether you're a home service business owner, marketer, or entrepreneur looking for new ways to generate leads, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can implement immediately.

🌎 Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, David continues to help businesses grow through smarter marketing systems, better data, and scalable direct mail solutions.
Connect with David:🔗 LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/dopemarketing🌐 Website – https://shop.dopemarketing.com/

🚀 Stay tuned for more stories of leadership, growth, and innovation from the frontlines of business.

✅ Don’t miss out on more valuable content and expert advice - Subscribe now! 🌐

🚀 Follow us for more insights and success stories from the cleaning and facilities management industry!
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaningandcocktails/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cleaningandcocktails/?_rdr
📊 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleaning-cocktails/posts/?feedView=all

C&C powered by:🌐 Route – A platform of business management tools for Sales, Operations, Subcontracting, Community & Education. We are improving the business of cleaning by connecting the entire industry!Join Route Nation! www.getroute.com

🎙️✨ In this powerful episode of Cleaning & Cocktails, we sit down with visionary tech leader, entrepreneur, and problem-solver — Sergio Suarez Jr!

🚀 From building cutting-edge software to leading high-performing development teams, Sergio has made a career out of attempting the absurd and solving the impossible. As the Founder & CEO of TackleAI, he’s on a mission to create disruptive, real-world technology that transforms how businesses operate.

💼 With a background spanning roles as CTO, VP of Engineering, and Chief Development Officer, Sergio brings deep expertise in statistics, mathematics, and project planning—paired with a passion for building solutions that actually matter.

💡 His work has touched everything from small business analytics and security systems to Optical Character Recognition and Neural Networks—making him a true innovator at the intersection of data and execution.

🔥 In this episode, Sergio dives into what it really takes to build impactful technology, lead elite teams, and turn complex ideas into scalable solutions.

💡 What you’ll learn in this episode:• How Sergio approaches solving “impossible” problems• The mindset behind building disruptive technology• Lessons from leading software teams at the highest level• The evolution of AI and its real-world applications• What founders need to know about scaling tech companies

🎯 Whether you're a tech founder, operator, or someone passionate about innovation, this episode is packed with insights you can apply immediately.

🌎 Based in Schaumburg, Illinois, Sergio continues to push boundaries—partnering with visionaries and building products designed to shape the future.
Connect with Sergio:
🔗 LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/sergiosuarezjr
🌐 Website – www.TackleAI.com

🚀 Stay tuned for more stories of leadership, innovation, and growth from the frontlines of business and technology.

✅ Don’t miss out on more industry insights and leadership stories – Subscribe now and never miss an episode!

🚨 Follow us for more:
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaningandcocktails/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cleaningandcocktails/?_rdr
📊 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleaning-cocktails/posts/?feedView=all

C&C powered by:🌐 Route – A platform of business management tools for Sales, Operations, Subcontracting, Community & Education. We are improving the business of cleaning by connecting the entire industry!Join Route Nation! www.getroute.com

🎙️✨ In this powerful episode of Cleaning & Cocktails, we sit down with industry veteran, global entrepreneur — John Ezzo!

🚀 After decades of building and scaling facility service companies across the U.S., Middle East, and Latin America, John is back in the game. Coming out of retirement, he’s launching a bold second chapter—bringing together world-class expertise, strategy, and execution to reshape commercial real estate management.

💼 As the Founder of Global Facility Advisors and Co-Founder of Rewold & Ezzo Property Management, John is on a mission to make commercial real estate great again—by helping owners increase asset value through smarter operations, integrated delivery, and high-level strategic oversight.

💪 From founding and growing New Image Building Services over 30+ years, to managing iconic properties like Hamad International Airport and Etihad Towers, John has seen every side of the business—and now he’s leveraging that experience to build something even bigger.

🔥 In this episode, John breaks down why he came out of retirement, what he sees broken in today’s property management model, and how his “design-build-manage” approach is changing the game.
💡 What you’ll learn in this episode:•
 Why John chose a “second act” instead of staying retired• The future of commercial real estate and property management• How fractional facility leadership is unlocking growth• The power of integrating construction, operations, and long-term management• Lessons from building global companies across multiple decades

🎯 Whether you're a real estate owner, operator, or entrepreneur looking to scale, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom and forward-thinking strategies.

🌎 With operations spanning Detroit, Tampa, and globally, John continues to prove that experience—when paired with vision—can redefine an entire industry.
Connect with John:
🔗 LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/johnezzo-0243687🌐 Website – www.globalfacilityadvisors.com

🚀 Stay tuned for more stories of leadership, resilience, and growth from the frontlines of the commercial cleaning and facility services world.

✅ Don’t miss out on more industry insights and leadership stories – Subscribe now and never miss an episode!

🚨 Follow us for more:
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaningandcocktails/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cleaningandcocktails/?_rdr
📊 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleaning-cocktails/posts/?feedView=all

C&C powered by:🌐 Route – A platform of business management tools for Sales, Operations, Subcontracting, Community & Education. We are improving the business of cleaning by connecting the entire industry!Join Route Nation! www.getroute.com

🎙️✨ In this powerful episode of Cleaning & Cocktails, we sit down with founder, turnaround CEO, and small business champion Rick Schott!

🚀 With over 35 years of experience in small business, Rick has built, scaled, sold, and—most recently—rescued a 30-year legacy company from near liquidation. As the CEO of Factory Cleaning Equipment, LLC (FCE), Rick led a remarkable comeback in 2025—reacquiring the company’s assets, restoring vendor relationships, and positioning the business for rapid profitability after a sudden ownership shakeup.

💪 When FCE faced dissolution following Jon-Don’s asset sale to Aramsco, Rick didn’t hesitate. Alongside key team members and investors, he stepped in to save the company he originally built—preserving jobs, partnerships, and a brand trusted for decades in the industrial cleaning space.

🔥 Rick also shares how FCE’s Bulldog Scrubber became the official scrubber of the CrossFit Games, showcasing the brand’s resilience and reliability on a national stage.

💡 From startup grit to executive leadership, Rick’s story is a masterclass in controlling your destiny, creating sustainable profitability, and building a company that serves your family—not just shareholders.

🎯 Whether you're a founder navigating growth, a business owner facing adversity, or an operator looking to sharpen your financial focus, this episode delivers real-world insight from someone who’s lived every stage of the entrepreneurial journey.

🌎 Based in Mooresville, NC, Rick continues to lead FCE’s expansion across Aurora, IL and the Charlotte Metro area—proving that resilience, relationships, and relentless focus on profitability win every time.

Connect with Rick:

🔗 LinkedIn – Rick Schott

🚀 Stay tuned for more stories of leadership, innovation, and growth from the frontlines of the commercial cleaning and facility services world.

✅ Don’t miss out on more industry insights and leadership stories – Subscribe now and never miss an episode!

🚨 Follow us for more:
 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaningandcocktails/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cleaningandcocktails/?_rdr
📊 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleaning-cocktails/posts/?feedView=all

C&C powered by:

🌐 Route – A platform of business management tools for Sales, Operations, Subcontracting, Community & Education. We are improving the business of cleaning by connecting the entire industry!
 Join Route Nation! www.getroute.com

🎙️✨ Get ready for a high-impact episode with a founder building massive value in some of the most overlooked corners of the economy: Alex Duta! 🌟

🚀 In this episode, we sit down with Alex Duta, Founder & CEO of Albiware, a technology company transforming how fire and water restoration businesses operate and scale. With a background that blends construction, restoration, software development, and business strategy, Alex is on a mission to build a billion-dollar company by modernizing industries most people ignore—but that power critical infrastructure.

🏗️ Based in Downers Grove, Illinois, Alex brings nearly two decades of hands-on experience. Before launching Albiware in 2020, he founded and led Romexterra Construction, a fire and water restoration company, giving him deep, real-world insight into the operational pain points contractors face every day. That experience now fuels his tech-first approach to solving industry-wide challenges.

💡 In this conversation, Alex shares his entrepreneurial journey—from freelance web developer to restoration operator to SaaS founder—along with lessons on scaling niche industries, leveraging technology, and building systems that actually work in the field. We also dive into leadership, execution, and why the “boring” industries often hold the biggest opportunities.

🧠 With expertise spanning social media, online advertising, JavaScript, and operations, plus certifications including IICRC AMRT, Xactimate Certified Trainer, and Water Restoration Specialist, Alex sits at the intersection of tech and trades—bridging the gap between software and real-world execution.

🎉 Don’t miss this episode packed with insights on entrepreneurship, vertical SaaS, and how to win big by going where others aren’t looking.

🔗 Connect with our incredible guest:📍 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsalexduta🌐 Linktree – https://linktr.ee/itsalexduta

✅ Don’t miss out on more industry insights and founder stories — Subscribe now and never miss an episode!

🚨 Follow us for more:
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaningandcocktails/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cleaningandcocktails/?_rdr📊 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleaning-cocktails/posts/?feedView=all

C&C powered by:🌐 Route - A platform of business management tools for Sales, Operations, Subcontracting, Community & Education. We are improving the business of cleaning by connecting the entire industry!Join Route Nation! www.getroute.com

🎙️✨ In this high-flying episode of Cleaning & Cocktails, we sit down with visionary entrepreneur and industry innovator Mick Lange, 
the Founder and CEO of SkyPro! 🌟

🚀 For over 18 years, Mick has led SkyPro — a St. Paul–based company revolutionizing automated window and exterior cleaning systems. From designing game-changing technology to transforming safety and efficiency standards in building maintenance, Mick has turned a bold idea into a nationally recognized brand that’s helping companies work smarter, cleaner, and safer.

🧠 With nearly two decades at the helm, Mick shares how to:→ Build and scale a business in a highly specialized niche→ Leverage technology to create long-term operational excellence→ Stay innovative in a traditional industry→ Lead a company through growth, change, and evolution with vision and purpose

💡 In this episode, Mick breaks down his entrepreneurial journey — from the early days of SkyPro to becoming a trusted name in automated cleaning solutions. Whether you’re a business owner, facility professional, or entrepreneur looking to innovate within your industry, this conversation is packed with insight, strategy, and inspiration.

🎯 Perfect for founders and operations leaders ready to rethink how they work, embrace technology, and scale sustainably — this episode is your inside look at how to build something that truly lasts.

🌍 Tune in as we explore innovation, leadership, and longevity with one of Minnesota’s most forward-thinking business builders.

Connect with Mick:
🔗 LinkedIn – Mick Lange
🌐 Website – www.skypro.com

🚀 Stay tuned for more stories of innovation and leadership from the frontlines of the commercial cleaning and facility services world.

✅ Don’t miss out on more real talk, real stories, and real strategies from leaders in the cleaning and facilities space – Subscribe now and stay plugged in!

🚨 Follow us for more:
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaningandcocktails/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cleaningandcocktails/?_rdr
📊 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleaning-cocktails/posts/?feedView=all

C&C powered by:🌐 Route - A platform of business management tools for Sales, Operations, Subcontracting, Community & Education. We are improving the business of cleaning by connecting the entire industry!Join Route Nation! www.getroute.com

🎙️✨ Welcome back to Cleaning & Cocktails — and buckle up for an insight-packed episode featuring three powerhouse leaders who’ve spent decades transforming the janitorial and building services industry from the inside out! Whether you’re scaling your cleaning company, trying to boost profitability, or simply hungry for leadership gold, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. 🚀

👔 Jordan Tong, Owner of Elite BSC and CEO of Frantz Building Services, brings a dual perspective: coaching contractors nationwide through Elite Business Coaching while also leading a high-performance janitorial company. With a background in civil engineering and a deep understanding of what it takes to scale operations profitably, Jordan shares proven strategies that help BSCs gain freedom, financial control, and focus.

🏢 Brian Lewis, President of Frantz Building Services, is a Six Sigma Green Belt and CBSE with over 25 years of operational leadership under his belt. Known for his customer-first mindset and systems-driven approach, Brian dives into how he builds lasting relationships and fosters a culture of servant leadership across a rapidly growing organization.

💼 Jeff Carmon, Business Consultant at Elite BSC and former VP of Customer Experience at Frantz, is a seasoned executive who’s spent the last decade helping BSCs improve client retention, build high-performing teams, and win big contracts. With a passion for real-world solutions and a 36-year business career that spans finance, healthcare, and cleaning, Jeff delivers powerful takeaways for leaders at every stage.

🎬 In this episode, we break down:
* How to scale your janitorial business with coaching, systems, and clarity
* Lessons learned from leading multi-state cleaning operations
* Creating customer experiences that actually stick
* Real-world strategies to boost profitability and grow smarter

📈 Whether you’re a founder, operator, or team leader, you’ll walk away from this one ready to take action. There’s no fluff here — just raw insight, proven playbooks, and a heavy dose of leadership inspiration. 🏆

🔗 Connect with today’s featured guests:
* Jordan Tong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-tong-43a22715 | https://www.elitebsc.com
* Brian Lewis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-lewis-541bb1117
* Jeff Carmon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-carmon-8b586041

✅ Don’t miss out on more real talk, real stories, and real strategies from leaders in the cleaning and facilities space – Subscribe now and stay plugged in!

🚨 Follow us for more:
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaningandcocktails/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cleaningandcocktails/?_rdr📊 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleaning-cocktails/posts/?feedView=all

C&C powered by:🌐 Route - A platform of business management tools for Sales, Operations, Subcontracting, Community & Education. We are improving the business of cleaning by connecting the entire industry!Join Route Nation! www.getroute.com