Keep It Clean! - A Pro Cleaning Industry Podcast

Mike Dunmyer, owner of Advanced Degree Carpet Cleaning, earned an MBA from Duke University, has worked as an executive in corporate America, and as a partner in a national non-profit organization that is helping to save our oceans. Then, he decided to become a carpet cleaner.

Mike went from dining with US Senators and Congressional reps to cleaning customers’ carpets and loving every minute of it. He brings a unique perspective to our industry, one that I really enjoy sharing with all of you.

Mike explains how his former business background was the launching pad for his new venture, and how our industry changed his thinking about how service businesses actually operate in the field. He feels lucky to be a part of the cleaning industry and loves the opportunity it provides for him and his family.

He entered the business with a well thought out plan and ideas on how to tame the wild carpet cleaning frontier. He continues to adapt and change his plan as the marketplace dictates, and as his company grows.

Mike talks about his company’s team development plan, business plan, his marketing strategy, and what the future will hold for him as he moves forward in life as a professional carpet cleaner.

Claude Blackburn, Founder of Dri-Eaz Products, talks about his early days with carpet cleaning and operating his business in Northwest Washington state. It is an interesting story of overcoming, dedication, optimism, and downright stubbornness to keep the dream alive and then some. One man's take on pulling yourself up by your bootstraps and how to learn along the way. Claude's story is very inspiring.

Doyle Bloss of HydraMaster speaks about his early years in the cleaning business and his entry into the supply side of the business. He talks about the influence his father, Ralph Bloss had on him and our entire industry, about helping people, especially young couples grow their business and therefore their lives. 
He and I reminisce about early days without truckmount hot water extraction and how we were able to still make a living even without the best tool or information available.

Listen as Rick Love shares his inspirational journey through the cleaning and restoration industry. When asked why he chose this industry, Rick’s answer - “it chose me!” I think a lot of us can relate to this sentiment.

Rick was truly inspired to support his young and growing family and found this industry a sound way to accomplish that goal. Rick progressed through his career to work as a supplier, corporate restoration franchise employee, and large manufacturing (cleaning equipment) sales manager. All while staying connected to the industry that he feels so passionately about. 

Unbelievably, he returned to own his own restoration franchise after 20 plus years away from the day to day operations of a restoration business. His success in that second venture, and his operational and financial goal setting for that operation is what a lot of us dream of for our own businesses. 

Listen as Rick Love tells us exactly how he did it.

A quick review of what is important to the cleaning customer.

In this episode I interview Larry Cooper, formerly of the Professional Cleaning Network and now producer of The Experience Convention and Trade Show. Larry has been a tireless volunteer in the cleaning and restoration industry, working with regional cleaning and restoration trade associations and the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) for over 35 years.

In the podcast Larry talks about the beginnings of his cleaning and restoration career, the challenges he faced and how he and his team overcame a multitude of obstacles. Larry talks about the importance of education and the value of relationships with customers and suppliers and how those connections helped him achieve millions of dollars in sales volume. He talks about the absolute necessity of business planning and how those planning sessions literally changed everything.

Listen as Larry explains how he and his wife Tryna built an extremely successful business and family life by taking advice from industry mentors and as they continue to have the family life today as their business has moved on to another role in the cleaning and restoration industry. Larry continues to bring people and ideas together to further his vision for how cleaning and restoration should be considered as essential now and into the future. 

Planning The Future Around The Kitchen Table

In this episode, we sat down with one of the founders of IICRC. Tom Hill has spent over 50 years in the professional cleaning industry and has the history of the on-location carpet/upholstery industry. 

Tom served as one of the first ever IICRC instructors and relates tales of the first classes ever held in carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, water damage restoration, and fire restoration. In this episode, we discuss what it was like to be one of the first instructor “road warriors” and how he crisscrossed the country delivering education - first for local and regional trade associations and later for cleaning supply distribution locations.

We learn how it was to live the life of an early “shampoo professional”, using in-plant machines for on-location work. Tom relates horror stories of cellulosic browning, shrinking carpet, and unhappy customers. He was there when the first extraction machines were being developed and shares how hungry carpet cleaners were for education.

Tom Hill has represented us with numerous organizations that helped bring the carpet cleaner out of the background. Learn about how one company really helped the independent cleaner carve out a huge niche in residential services.

 Please subscribe, rate, & review Keep It Clean on Apple Podcasts.

For more from Dane Gregory, visit danegregory.com

Product knowledge is important, but so is understanding the customer.

Quick hit on the importance of training in the cleaning industry.

Isn't it time to have the success you deserve? Find out how you may need some help to get there.