What if starting a cleaning business from scratch isn't the fastest way to grow?

In this episode of The Cleaning Journey, Justin Ducharme breaks down exactly how he bought a cleaning business for under $100K, moved from Canada to San Diego on an E2 investor visa, and scaled it from just $5K/month to over $100K/month in recurring revenue — in only 8 months.

This is a real, behind-the-scenes look at what happens when you skip the startup phase and step directly into ownership.

If you've ever considered buying a cleaning business, growing your recurring revenue, or building a more scalable operation, this episode gives you a clear blueprint.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why buying a cleaning business can be faster than starting from scratch • How Justin used an E2 visa to acquire a business in the U.S. • The pricing strategy (hourly vs flat rate) that increases close rates • The simple one-question text script that closes jobs without a call • How to turn one-time customers into recurring clients • Why real video content outperforms AI-generated content for local services

Justin Ducharme is the co-owner of WHB Cleaning in San Diego, CA. After running a car dealership in Canada for four years, he transitioned into the cleaning industry by acquiring an existing company and rapidly scaling it to six figures monthly. His journey was featured on Entrepreneur.com in 2024.

Whether you're thinking about buying a cleaning business, improving your sales process, or building a more predictable recurring revenue model, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can apply immediately.

Recommended Tool for Cleaning Business Owners

If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, you need the right tools.

We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication all in one place.

Start your 2-week free trial and get 20% off for 6 months here: https://go.getjobber.com/misael

Subscribe & Connect

🎥 YouTube: @misaavalos 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos

🎙️ Listen on Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast

📞 Book a free 45-minute discovery call: https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call

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Cleaning business mindset is the real topic of this episode — and it's the one most owners avoid.

In this episode of The Cleaning Journey, Misael Avalos sits down with Cheryl Hajjar, founder of Sisters Who Scale and creator of the Drop the Mop and Scale system.

Cheryl built her cleaning company from $0 to over $850K — while reducing her workload to just 15–20 hours per week. But the real story isn't the revenue.

It's the 10 years she spent cleaning solo… until a back injury forced her out of the field completely — and triggered the identity shift every cleaning business owner must go through to actually scale.

If you feel stuck, burned out, or like your business depends entirely on you… this episode is going to hit home.

In this episode, you'll discover: • Why your "servant's heart" might be the very thing keeping you stuck • How Cheryl went from unable to get out of bed to leading a 31-person team • The burnout threshold: why most owners don't scale until the pain is unbearable • What a $50K loss from one bad hire teaches about building real systems • Why consistency — not strategy — separates the owners who win from the ones who quit

Cheryl also shares how her background as a national fitness competitor shaped the discipline and mindset she now teaches to hundreds of cleaning business owners looking to escape burnout and build true freedom.

If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, you need the right tools.

We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication — all in one place.

👉 Start your 2-week free trial + get 20% off for 6 months: https://go.getjobber.com/misael

🎥 Subscribe for more: @misaavalos 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos

🎙️ Listen on Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast

📞 Book a FREE 45-minute call: https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call

🎙️ Want to be on the podcast? Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

How do you hire cleaning employees — and actually keep them?

In this episode of The Cleaning Journey, Misael Avalos sits down with Johnny Robinson of Home Service Academy to break down the exact systems that took him from hiring "the worst of the worst" to building a reliable recruiting machine.

If you've ever felt stuck, understaffed, or held hostage by your team — this episode will completely change how you think about hiring.

In this episode, you'll learn: • The "NFL bench method" to never depend on one employee again • Why one great cleaner is worth $5,000+/month — and how to find them • The performance pay model that attracts A-players and filters out the rest • A Harvard-backed stat (391% higher conversion) that will change how fast you respond to leads • The exact sales framework closing cold traffic at 50%+ nationwide

Johnny also shares how he scaled a window cleaning business in California before transitioning into helping thousands of home service owners nationwide build better systems, teams, and sales processes.

We also dive into: • Cleaning business pricing strategies • Building a lead follow-up system using email + text automation • The "Facebook Grand Opening Method" to generate clients with zero ad spend • How to confidently handle price objections

If you're serious about removing yourself as the bottleneck in your business, you need the right systems in place.

We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication — all in one place.

👉 Start your 2-week free trial + get 20% off for 6 months: https://go.getjobber.com/misael

🎥 Subscribe for more: @misaavalos 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos

🎙️ Listen on Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast

📞 Book a FREE 45-minute call: https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call

🎙️ Want to be on the podcast? Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

What does it take to stay in the cleaning industry for over two decades… and still be hungry to scale?

In this episode of The Cleaning Journey Podcast, Misael sits down with R.J. Patel, founder of PCT Clean and PCT Janitorial in Kennesaw, Georgia, to break down what it really takes to build a cleaning company that runs without you.

After 23 years in business, R.J. is pushing harder than ever toward $10 million — and shares the systems, mindset, and discipline that make it possible.

• Why you're not selling cleaning — you're selling trust • The 2-week employee training system that protects your reputation • How to implement EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) in your cleaning business • The weekly KPI scorecard that keeps leadership aligned • The BED Principle — Better Every Day — and how it compounds • Why hiring out of urgency can destroy your company • How to build a business that runs without you

R.J. Patel is the Founder and Visionary of PCT Clean and PCT Janitorial, a two-division cleaning operation based in Kennesaw, Georgia.

With degrees in Management and Marketing from Kennesaw State University, R.J. has built and acquired six businesses across multiple industries before going all-in on cleaning in 2003.

He has served as president of ARCSI (now part of ISSA), earned Business of the Year in 2015 from the Kennesaw Business Association, and now teaches Infection Prevention internationally through GBAC Council Standards.

PCT Clean maintains nearly 600 Google reviews with a 4.9 rating — and R.J. is just getting started.

If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, you need the right tools.

We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication all in one place.

👉 Start your 2-week free trial + get 20% off for 6 months: https://go.getjobber.com/misael

Subscribe to The Cleaning Journey Podcast for weekly conversations with cleaning business owners scaling with systems, leadership, and discipline.

Instagram: @cleaningjourney Instagram: @misa.avalos

📞 Book a free 45-minute discovery call: https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call

👉 Want to be featured on the podcast? Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

If you're building a carpet cleaning business and wondering whether the franchise model actually works, this episode is your blueprint.

Bryce Gilbert started Mr. Steam with just $7,000, a psychology degree, and a Honda Civic with the passenger seat ripped out. Today, he operates 15 carpet-cleaning franchise locations across Canada — without spending a single dollar on paid advertising.

In this episode, Bryce breaks down exactly how he went from zero to scaling a multi-location service business, using content, systems, and simple (but powerful) business principles.

In this episode, we cover:

• How to start a carpet cleaning business from scratch and scale it into a franchise • The YouTube strategy that builds trust and closes clients before they ever call • Why transparent pricing on your website beats high-pressure sales • How to structure employee pay to increase performance and reduce turnover • The "1/3 profit rule" every service business owner should be tracking

Bryce also shares how to get repeat customers, handle complaints without losing trust, and build a brand that people naturally want to refer.

Whether you're in carpet cleaning, house cleaning, or any service-based business, this episode is packed with real, proven strategies you can actually apply.

Guest: Bryce Gilbert – Founder of Mr. Steam Carpet Cleaning (15 Locations Across Canada)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Mr-Steam/61575852133149/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrsteamcarpetcleaning/ Website: https://www.mrsteamfranchising.com/

If you're serious about building a business that runs without you being the bottleneck, you need the right systems in place.

That's why we recommend Jobber — it helps you manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication all in one place.

👉 Start your 2-week free trial + get 20% off for 6 months: https://go.getjobber.com/misael

Listen & Connect:

🎥 YouTube: @misaavalos 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos

🎙️ Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast

📞 Book a FREE 45-minute call with Misa: https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call

Want to be featured on the podcast? Your journey matters — apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

What if the thing holding you back became the exact thing that pushed you forward?

Lorephil Toledo didn't speak English when she arrived in Canada. No money. No business experience. No connections.

Just a vision—and a relentless belief that anything is possible.

Today, she runs Prime Key Management Cleaning across Alberta with a growing team, serving both residential and commercial clients. But what sets her apart is how she uses AI to automate her business while keeping it personal.

🔥 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

• How Lorephil uses AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to automate her business
• Turning language barriers into strengths
• Why getting fired became the turning point in her journey
• The mindset shift from employee to CEO
• How to use AI as an employee—not a replacement

🧰 TOOLS TO SCALE YOUR BUSINESS

If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, you need the right tools.

We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication all in one place.

👉 Start your 2-week free trial + get 20% off for 6 months: https://go.getjobber.com/misael

📲 CONNECT WITH US

🎥 Subscribe: @misaavalos 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos

🎙️ Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast

📞 Free 45-min Business Call: https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call

👉 Want to be featured? Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

What happens when a business you never meant to start becomes your entire life?

At 19, Megan had no business plan, no structure, and was working three jobs just to afford her own place. She accidentally fell into cleaning, started picking up clients, and before she knew it she was faced with a decision: finish her policing degree, or go all-in on a business she never planned to build.

Fast forward a few years — Megan is running a 7-figure commercial and biohazard cleaning company.

But the road to success wasn't smooth.

She hired friends who disrespected her. She avoided hiring an accountant and nearly paid the price. And the pressure of entrepreneurship pushed her into heavy drinking until she realized alcohol was the thing holding her back from everything she wanted.

In this episode, Megan shares the raw truth behind her journey — the mistakes that nearly destroyed her business, the moment she chose sobriety, and why building a company around your values, not your team's, is the only way to scale without losing control.

If you're starting a cleaning business, struggling through the messy middle of growth, or trying to build something bigger than yourself, this conversation will hit differently.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• How Megan accidentally started her cleaning business • The early mistakes that almost destroyed the company • Why hiring friends can create leadership problems • The financial risks of avoiding professional accounting help • How alcohol nearly cost her everything — and the moment she chose sobriety • Why defining your personal values is critical to scaling a business • Lessons from building a 7-figure commercial and biohazard cleaning company

Recommended Software for Cleaning Businesses

If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, you need the right tools.

We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication all in one place.

Start your 2-week free trial and get 20% off for 6 months here: https://go.getjobber.com/misael

Subscribe & Connect

Subscribe to The Cleaning Journey Podcast for weekly conversations with cleaning business owners who are building profitable, systemized companies.

Instagram: @cleaningjourney Instagram: @misa.avalos

Book a free 45-minute discovery call: https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call

Interested in being featured on the podcast? Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

Do you own a business… or did you just buy yourself a job?

Most cleaning business owners think they're building a company — but in reality, they're building a demanding job that depends entirely on them.

Adam Povlitz learned this the hard way. Even as CEO, he couldn't take a vacation without his laptop. Nothing moved forward without his approval. He was the bottleneck slowing down his own growth.

Then he read one book that changed everything.

In this episode of The Cleaning Journey Podcast, Adam breaks down exactly how he transitioned from doing everything himself to leading 1,800+ Anago commercial cleaning franchises across North America.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• The hiring framework that helped him scale (including specific interview strategies) • Why CEOs become the bottleneck in growth • How to focus on "Important but Not Urgent" tasks using the Eisenhower Matrix • The uncomfortable truth about customer experience in commercial cleaning • How to turn a cleaning company into a systemized brand • Why systems create freedom — and increase exit value • The mindset shift from operator to servant leader

If you're tired of being stuck IN your business instead of working ON it, this conversation lays out the exact path forward. Adam shares the mistakes he made, the systems that saved him, and why leadership — not hustle — is what truly scales a company.

Recommended Software for Cleaning Businesses

If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, you need the right tools.

We recommend Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client communication all in one place.

Start your 2-week free trial and get 20% off for 6 months here: https://go.getjobber.com/misael

Subscribe & Connect

Subscribe to The Cleaning Journey Podcast for weekly conversations with cleaning business owners who are building systemized, profitable companies.

Instagram: @cleaningjourney Instagram: @misa.avalos

Book a free 45-minute discovery call: https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call

Interested in being featured on the podcast? Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

Want to scale your cleaning business to multiple locations and 7 figures?

Cristobal Mondragon went from working as a dishwasher to building a thriving cleaning company with 22 employees operating in both Seattle and Atlanta. In this episode of The Cleaning Journey Podcast, he breaks down the exact systems, pricing strategies, and customer service tactics that allowed him to expand across state lines and scale with structure.

Cristobal shares how building systems before scaling changed everything. From checklists and CRM automation to referral strategies and fast response times, he explains what it really takes to grow sustainably in today's competitive cleaning market.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why systems must be built before expansion • The $100 referral strategy that dramatically lowers acquisition costs • How answering calls within two minutes increases conversions • His $3,000 trademark lesson and how to protect your business name • How to convert one-time clients into recurring subscriptions • The tools he uses to streamline operations (Jobber, Cleancore, Slack) • Pricing differences between West Coast and East Coast markets • Why documentation and photos protect your company from costly claims

Connect with Cristobal Mondragon

Website: https://cristobalmondragon.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CristobalMondragon Bumblebee Cleaning Services: https://www.qbclean.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cris.mondragon425/

Recommended Software for Cleaning Businesses

Start your 2-week free trial of Jobber and get 20% off for 6 months: https://go.getjobber.com/misael

Subscribe & Connect

Subscribe to The Cleaning Journey Podcast for weekly conversations with cleaning business owners who are building profitable, systemized companies.

Instagram: @cleaningjourney Instagram: @misa.avalos

Book a free 45-minute discovery call with me: https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call

Interested in being featured on the podcast? Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

What does it actually take to build a cleaning business that runs without you?

In this episode of The Cleaning Journey Podcast, we sit down with Paul Borodenko, who went from working construction jobs to building a multi-location commercial cleaning franchise powered by systems, delegation, and disciplined execution.

Paul breaks down the exact frameworks that allowed him to step out of day-to-day operations—and why commercial cleaning (janitorial, property management, post-construction) creates more stability and scalability than residential work.

• Why commercial cleaning outperforms residential for long-term growth

• The Playbook Vault system that trains teams without owner involvement

• Outbound marketing that works: email campaigns, canvassing, Instagram DMs

• How to hire, delegate, and build teams that think like owners

• The financial tracking systems every cleaning business needs

• The operating system framework that creates true business freedom

Paul also shares his journey from employee to franchise owner—including how he landed his first $245K construction project, transitioned into commercial cleaning, and now coaches service business owners to replicate the same scalable model.

Whether you're stuck at $30K–$50K/month or preparing to expand into multiple locations, this conversation will help you shift from technician to true business owner.

• Instagram: @paulborodenko | @novaenterprisesonline

• Website: www.novaenterprisesllc.com

🎙️ Subscribe to The Cleaning Journey Podcast for real conversations on systems, leadership, faith, and scaling service businesses the right way.

🚀 Ready to Systemize Your Cleaning Business? We recommend Jobber to help you schedule jobs, track clients, send invoices, and automate follow-ups.

Try it FREE for 2 weeks + get 20% off your first 6 months when you use our link: https://go.getjobber.com/misael

🎥 YouTube: @misaavalos 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney | @misa.avalos 🎧 Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast

📞 Free 45-Minute 1-on-1 Discovery Call: https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call

🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast? Your journey matters. Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit