Behind every successful company is a story of courage, change, and purpose. This month on The Business of Cleaning podcast, we welcome an extraordinary guest whose career path took a dramatic-and inspiring-turn.

Shari Cedar began her professional journey in the fast-paced world of television, where she served as an Executive Producer, including work on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Despite the excitement and accolades of the entertainment industry, Shari sought something more permanent and personal-something that could serve her family long-term.

That moment of reflection led Shari and her husband to launch AK Building Services, a commercial cleaning company that has grown to employ over 800 people and serve clients across a broad range of industries. As CEO and Owner, Shari has brought her creativity, leadership skills, and passion for excellence into an industry where those qualities are often overlooked but deeply needed.

A Conversation on Growth, Leadership, and Legacy

In this episode titled "From Prime Time to Clean Time: Shari Cedar’s Journey in Commercial Cleaning", we sit down with Shari to explore:

• The challenges and triumphs of starting and scaling a cleaning company from the ground up
• Leadership insights gained from managing large teams and navigating a fast-growing operation
• Personal growth milestones as a business owner and industry leader
• The dynamic experience of building a business alongside her spouse
• And much more
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Shari’s story is not only about changing careers-it’s about redefining success, leading with integrity, and leaving a lasting impact in an essential industry.

In this month’s episode of The Business of Cleaning,we’re joined by Jerry Flug of HRA Consulting Group. Jerry was working in the ministry when family illness forced him to look for new work opportunities. That's when he found the cleaning industry and bought his first company. Jerry walks us through his journey from growing, scaling, and eventually selling his business and becoming a business coach helping commercial cleaning companies grow.

Mario Kelly, a 5th-generation Detroiter and Owner of Believe313 Cleaning, went from being homeless-with just $27 worth of cleaning supplies-to building a million-dollar cleaning company. In this powerful episode he discusses overcoming adversity, the importance of resilience, community involvement, and giving back.

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.