The Cleaning Journey

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

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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

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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

She lost 28 clients overnight — and came dangerously close to shutting down her cleaning business.

In this episode of The Cleaning Journey Podcast, we sit down with Ingrid Morales, founder of Marily Cleaning Service, who shares one of the hardest lessons of her entrepreneurial journey: trusting the wrong hire at the wrong time.

From postpartum recovery to rebuilding her company from the ground up, Ingrid opens up about the real challenges of starting, growing, and scaling a cleaning business the right way. She breaks down how a single hiring mistake led to losing dozens of clients — and how that experience reshaped the way she approaches leadership, boundaries, and systems.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

• Why hiring slowly matters more than filling positions fast

• How to move from owner-operator to true CEO

• The importance of clear boundaries, standards, and documentation

• Why desperation decisions cost more than patience

• How strong systems protect your business, your clients, and your peace

Founded in 2015, Marily Cleaning Service was built on values of care, trust, and integrity — with a mission to redefine house cleaning as more than a service, but as an experience that protects both the home and the people inside it. Ingrid shares how treating cleaning as a profession, honoring client preferences, and documenting expectations helped her rebuild a respected, systemized company with a strong reputation in both residential and commercial cleaning.

If you're trying to start a cleaning business, struggling with unreliable cleaners, pricing your services, or feeling stuck cleaning every day instead of leading your company, this episode will help you think like a real business owner and build with confidence.

🎧 Subscribe for real cleaning business tips, leadership lessons, and proven systems. 📞 Book a FREE discovery call to get clarity, structure, and confidence to grow your cleaning company.

🚀 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 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos 🎙️ Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast

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

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

Stop Cleaning If You Want to Scale Your Business

Most cleaning business owners believe growth comes from doing more—more jobs, more hours, more stress. But that's exactly what keeps them stuck.

In this episode of The Cleaning Journey, Misa sits down with Boris, founder and CEO of VepoClean, to unpack what actually separates owner-operators from true business owners. Boris shares how he transformed a cleaning company into a structured, scalable operation by shifting away from day-to-day cleaning and constant firefighting—without revealing every detail upfront.

This conversation is for cleaning business owners who are passionate about the industry but tired of running it like a job instead of a real business. If you've ever felt burned out, overwhelmed by hiring, or unsure how to step into a true CEO role, this episode will challenge how you think about growth, systems, and leadership—while leaving you wanting more.

If you're someone who's tired of being stuck in the day-to-day grind of your cleaning business, or you want to elevate the industry with professionalism and structure, this episode is a must-watch.

👉 Watch the full episode to discover the mindset shift most cleaning business owners miss

👉 Subscribe for weekly cleaning business tips, systems, and real owner stories

👉 Book a free discovery call to get clarity on how to grow and scale your cleaning business with confidence

🔗 Connect with Boris

Website: www.vepocleanfranchising.com

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boris-vc-3a943a304/

Boris' mission is simple: help cleaning business owners become true entrepreneurs through structure, support, and a proven framework. If that resonates with you, let's scale together.

🚀 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

For YouTube and Spotify:

🎥Subscribe: @misaavalos For more cleaning tips videos!

📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney

📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos

🎙️Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast On Spotify

📞1-on-1 Call (45-FREE Minutes to talk about your business, CRAZYY, I know): 👇

https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call

Want to be in the podcast? Please fill out this form, and we will contact you. Your journey matters! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

Building a successful cleaning business isn't just about getting more clients — it's about making the right decisions, setting boundaries, and building systems that protect your money, time, and peace.

In this episode of The Cleaning Journey Podcast, we sit down with Brittany Thomas, founder of MaJur Klean Cleaning Service, to talk about how faith-led decision-making and strong systems helped her avoid the most common mistakes that keep cleaning business owners stuck, stressed, and burned out.

Brittany started her business in 2015 with nothing but a bucket and a mop. What began as a residential cleaning business — including move-in/move-out and house cleaning — eventually transitioned into a fully commercial cleaning company. Along the way, she learned hard lessons about underpricing, negotiating with the wrong clients, and saying yes when she should have said no.

In this conversation, Brittany shares:

• Why learning to say no was critical to her growth

• How pricing cleaning services correctly changed everything

• The non-negotiable systems every cleaning business needs

• Common red flags owners ignore that cost them money and energy

• How to move from hustle mode to long-term sustainability

If you're a cleaning business owner wondering how to start a cleaning business, grow your cleaning company, or stop accepting jobs that don't make sense, this episode delivers real, practical advice you can apply immediately.

Brittany also shares insights as a cleaning mentor and business coach on building confidence in pricing, structuring policies, managing contracts, and creating a business that supports your life — not consumes it.

This episode is especially valuable for:

• New cleaning business owners

• Residential and commercial cleaning companies

• Owners struggling with pricing, boundaries, or burnout

• Anyone working toward long-term cleaning business success

🎧 Subscribe for weekly cleaning business tips and real owner stories. 📞 Book a free discovery call to learn how to grow your cleaning business with systems that scale.

📲 Instagram: @majurklean 📘 Facebook: MK Cleaning Service LLC 🎵 TikTok: @majurklean

📘 A Million Dollars Worth of Game: A 10-Step Guide on How to Start a Cleaning Business https://a.co/d/eQAsmjq

🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/majurkleancleaningservice?utm_source=linktree_profile_share_sid=52366caf-e2c4-447a-a248-9b913634fdc5

🚀 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 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos 🎙️ Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast

📞 Free 45-Minute 1-on-1 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

Are you trying to start a cleaning business but feel overwhelmed, underpaid, or unsure if you're doing it right?

Are you stuck in the early stages of a cleaning business start up and wondering why growth feels harder than it should?

Do you want to grow my cleaning company but keep attracting the wrong clients or struggling with cleaning business pricing?

In this episode, we dive deep into the real story behind starting a cleaning business from scratch — the mistakes, lessons, and systems that separate struggling cleaners from confident cleaning business owners. This conversation is a raw and honest guide to starting a cleaning business, especially if you're trying to move from "just cleaning" to running a real cleaning company.

You'll learn how a professional cleaner accidentally entered the commercial cleaning business, navigated undercharging, bad clients, and burnout, and eventually built structure through proper cleaning business contracts, smarter pricing, and intentional cleaning business marketing. This episode breaks down how to start a cleaning business step by step, including what most people get wrong when they start a cleaning business and why "charging cheap" can actually hold you back.

If you're looking for a cleaning mentor who tells the truth about starting a cleaning business, this episode will help you understand how to position yourself as the professional cleaner clients respect and pay well. Whether you're in the early phase of starting a cleaning business or already running a cleaning company and trying to scale, this is a practical, experience-based guide to starting a cleaning business the right way.

By the end of this episode, you'll have more clarity on cleaning business pricing, systems, boundaries, and mindset shifts needed to grow my cleaning company with confidence and sustainability.

👉 If you're a cleaning business owner who wants real strategies, not fluff, hit subscribe.

👉 Want personalized guidance? Book a free call using the link below and take the next step toward building a profitable, professional cleaning business.

🚀 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

For YouTube and Spotify:

🎥Subscribe: @misaavalos For more cleaning tips videos!

📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney

📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos

🎙️Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast On Spotify

📞1-on-1 Call (45-FREE Minutes to talk about your business, CRAZYY, I know): 👇

https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call

Want to be in the podcast? Please fill out this form, and we will contact you. Your journey matters! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

Starting a commercial cleaning business can feel overwhelming, especially when you're navigating pricing, hiring, systems, and growth all at once. If you're in the cleaning business start-up phase or trying to scale past owner-operator mode, this episode is a must-watch.

In this episode, Misa Avalos sits down with a seasoned cleaning mentor who shares what it really takes to build a sustainable company, from how to start a cleaning business from scratch to building leadership, systems, and culture that last. You'll hear real lessons from years of trial and error in the cleaning business, including how to handle burnout, stop doing everything yourself, and finally grow my cleaning business with confidence.

This conversation covers practical strategies on how to get commercial cleaning contracts, cleaning business pricing, hiring experienced cleaners, and implementing systems that support long-term cleaning business success. Whether you're starting a cleaning business, trying to how to grow your cleaning business, or looking to grow my cleaning company without sacrificing your family or sanity, this episode delivers real-world cleaning business tips you can apply immediately.

If you're ready to start a cleaning business, work with a proven cleaning coach, and learn how to start a cleaning business the right way, this episode will help you build a company that scales, lasts, and supports the life you want.

For YouTube and Spotify:

🎥Subscribe: @misaavalos For more cleaning tips videos!

📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney

📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos

🎙️Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast On Spotify

📞1-on-1 Call (45-FREE Minutes to talk about your business, CRAZYY, I know): 👇

https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call

Want to be in the podcast? Please fill out this form, and we will contact you. Your journey matters! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

🚀 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

If you're trying to start a cleaning business, break into commercial cleaning, or finally scale your cleaning company without burning out, this episode will hit close to home.

In this conversation, we sit down with Denise Christopher, founder and owner of Attention to Detail Janitorial Services, a respected commercial cleaning business serving Ocean and Monmouth County, New Jersey. Denise shares how she went from survival mode as a newly divorced single mom—borrowing a car, moving back home, and cleaning just to pay the bills—to building a stable, systemized cleaning company with long-term commercial clients, specialty services, and dependable teams. Her journey is a powerful reminder that real cleaning company growth comes from grit, consistency, and doing the work when no one is watching.

We dive into the real challenges most cleaning business owners face but rarely talk about: pricing cleaning services without racing to the bottom, knowing when to walk away from the wrong clients, hiring and leading teams you can trust, and why systems—not hustle—are what allow you to truly grow and scale a cleaning business. Denise also shares how a people-first mindset, strong operations, and clear standards have helped her retain clients and staff in a competitive commercial cleaning market—without giving up her values.

If you're looking for honest cleaning business tips, real-world commercial cleaning strategies, and lessons from someone who has built a cleaning business the hard way—and kept it running for over a decade—this episode is for you.

👉 Subscribe for weekly conversations on how to start, grow, and scale a profitable cleaning business

👉 Book a free discovery call to get clarity on pricing, clients, and systems for your cleaning company

🚀 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

🔗 Connect with Denise:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denisecstt/

Website: https://attentiontodetailnc.com/

For YouTube and Spotify:

🎥Subscribe: @misaavalos For more cleaning tips videos!

📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney

📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos

🎙️Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast On Spotify

📞1-on-1 Call (45-FREE Minutes to talk about your business, CRAZYY, I know): 👇

https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call

Want to be in the podcast? Please fill out this form, and we will contact you. Your journey matters! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit

Growing a cleaning business doesn't have to mean burnout, chaos, or constant turnover. In this episode, we break down what it really takes to build a commercial cleaning business with strong systems, loyal clients, and a team you can trust.

Rina Solano-Castillo is the CEO and founder of Pure and Clean Cleaning, which she launched in 2020 with a clear vision: to build the Pacific Northwest's leading cleaning company known for exceptional service, unmatched quality, and a heart for community. Driven by her passion for excellence, Rina not only focuses on delivering top-tier cleaning solutions but also on creating flexible employment opportunities for working moms, empowering them to support their families while maintaining work-life balance.

Whether you're in the early stages of a cleaning business start up or you've been stuck trying to scale, this conversation walks through the real lessons behind how to start a cleaning business, rebuild culture, and grow without doing everything yourself. As a cleaning mentor and cleaning coach, I see the same mistakes over and over — especially when it comes to hiring cleaners, training, and leadership.

If you're researching how to start your own cleaning business or how to start a cleaning company, this episode gives you a clear steps to start a cleaning business mindset — from systems and training to cleaning company culture and client retention strategies. You'll also hear a behind-the-scenes cleaning business walk through of what actually works when growing a cleaning service business in today's market.

This episode is for owners who want to grow your cleaning company, stop guessing, and finally build a real cleaning biz — not just a job. If you're trying to grow my cleaning company without burning out, this conversation will give you clarity, confidence, and a better path forward for starting cleaning business the right way.

Learn more about Pure and Clean Cleaning here:

https://www.pureandcleancleaning.com/

Follow Pure and Clean Cleaning on social media:

Instagram: @pureandcleanwa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1As5Sd...

Subscribe for weekly insights on building a profitable cleaning business.

Book a free discovery call to get personalized support from a proven cleaning coach.

For YouTube and Spotify:

🎥Subscribe: @misaavalos For more cleaning tips videos!

📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney

📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos

🚀 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

🎙️Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast On Spotify

📞1-on-1 Call (45-FREE Minutes to talk about your business, CRAZYY, I know): 👇

https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-aval...

Want to be in the podcast? Please fill out this form, and we will contact you. Your journey matters! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS...

How to Start a Cleaning Business With Quality That Sells Itself

If you want to learn how to start a cleaning business that clients rave about before you even sell them anything, this episode is your blueprint. Most cleaning business start up owners rush into adding services—but today's guest shows why the companies that grow the fastest are the ones that put quality and training first.

In this conversation, we break down how to start a cleaning business step by step by focusing on the things that truly make a cleaning biz stand out: mastery, integrity, consistency, and a customer experience that feels nothing like the "average" cleaning service. Our guest shares how she built a premium brand inside a competitive market and why her reputation alone now fuels referrals, recurring clients, and expansion across Ireland. Whether you're starting a cleaning business from scratch or scaling a commercial cleaning business, you'll walk away with practical insights you can use immediately.

You'll hear how a cleaning business owner mastered one service at a time, invested heavily in real cleaning business training, and built systems that keep clients coming back year after year. We also dive into the mindset shift every new cleaner needs, the mistakes that stall growth, and why a true cleaning mentor or cleaning business coach can save you years of trial and error. This is the episode every professional cleaner, house cleaning business owner, and cleaning biz leader should hear—because quality isn't a cost… it's a strategy.

👉 Subscribe for more expert-led conversations in our cleaning business podcast

👉 Want guidance on how to start a cleaning business the right way? Book a free strategy call with Misa.

For YouTube and Spotify:

🎥Subscribe: @misaavalos For more cleaning tips videos!

📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney

📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos

🎙️Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast On Spotify

📞1-on-1 Call (45-FREE Minutes to talk about your business, CRAZYY, I know): 👇

https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call

🚀 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

Want to be in the podcast? Please fill out this form, and we will contact you. Your journey matters! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit