“When your heart isn't in it, then bad things start to happen” - Karen Marquardt
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In this episode of True Grime Stories, I had the privilege of talking with Karen Marquardt, owner of Simply Tidy Cleaning in Minnesota. Our conversation was powerful, emotional, and deeply inspiring.
Karen shared the real story behind her journey — raising children with special needs, supporting her husband through multiple surgeries, and building her cleaning business from the ground up. For years, she pushed forward with dedication, but eventually she realized something had changed: she had lost her passion and her “WHY.”
As she opened up about this season of disconnect, I could feel how heavy that experience had been. But what moved me most was how she found her way back — through reflection, prayer, honesty with herself, and a willingness to rebuild from the inside out. When Karen reconnected with her original mission to make a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities, everything shifted.
Her team became stronger. Accountability improved. Joy came back. And with renewed purpose, her company experienced incredible growth — nearly 50% in just six months.
Karen’s story is a beautiful reminder that when we lead with heart and stay rooted in our WHY, both our business and our lives transform. I left this interview inspired, and I know our audience will feel the same.
Reconnecting with your WHY can change everything.
Hearing Karen rediscover the heart behind her business reminded me how powerful purpose is in shaping our daily decisions and long-term growth.
You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Karen’s years of pushing through without pause showed how burnout can quietly steal joy — and how important it is to stop, breathe, and realign.
Honesty with yourself creates space for new growth.
Karen’s willingness to admit she had lost her passion became the starting point for her comeback.
Accountability brings confidence back into your team.
Once she reconnected with her mission, Karen began holding stronger boundaries, improving communication, and setting clear expectations — and her team rose with her.
Leading with heart builds a business people want to be part of.
Her renewed passion not only strengthened her culture but also contributed to nearly 50% growth in six months.
Your story — even the difficult chapters — can fuel someone else’s hope.
Karen’s openness reminded me that vulnerability is a gift to every business owner who feels lost or unsure.
- Learn more about Simply Tidy Cleaning at https://www.simplytidyclean.com/
- CBF (Cleaning Business Fundamentals) – A business coaching program that helped understand what was missing and how to build systems that actually work.
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