True Grime Stories

“Every little thing that comes up, every challenge, It's an opportunity.” - Sabrina Jones

Sign up for a FREE call with Jeannie. Click the link here: https://debbiesardone.com/coachjeannie. Ready to turn your grime story into a success story? Get a free strategy session with CBF Coach Jeannie Henderson and learn about how Cleaning Business Fundamentals will give you the proven strategies you need to grow a thriving, profitable cleaning business.

Episode Summary: In this inspiring episode of True Grime Stories, I sit down with Sabrina Jones, founder of Maids of Möhver, about her journey of building a business rooted in resilience, accountability, and empowerment.

Sabrina shares how she learned to “inspect what you expect”—a leadership philosophy that helped her set clear standards, build trust, and empower her team. She opens up about how challenges became opportunities to refine systems, strengthen culture, and elevate client experiences.

With a mindset that failure is not an option, Sabrina has turned setbacks into stepping stones, growing Maids of Möhver into a brand that not only delivers quality cleaning but also uplifts its team members and the community it serves.

🧩 Key Topics:

• Sabrina’s entrepreneurial journey and the founding of Maids of Möhver
• The philosophy of “inspect what you expect” and how it shapes leadership
• Turning challenges into opportunities for growth and learning
• Building accountability and empowerment into her team culture
• Why failure is not an option—and how that mindset fuels perseverance
• Balancing client expectations with employee support
• Lessons on resilience, consistency, and growth from her grime scene
• Advice for leaders striving to set higher standards in their businesses

Guest’s Information: 

• Learn more about Maids of Movher at: www.maidsofmovher.com
• Learn more about Movher at www.movher.com
• Learn more about Not Fragile Podcast at: https://notfragilepodcast.com/
• CBF (Cleaning Business Fundamentals) – A business coaching program that helped understand what was missing and how to build systems that actually work.

Subscribe to True Grime Stories and be sure to click the links below to learn more and connect with us on social media for more tips and insights

Connect with Jeannie:

• Website: jeanniehenderson.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeannieHendersonConsulting/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanniehenderson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniehenderson

“I am an eternity thinker. I wanna make an eternity impact, not just an impact today.” - Pristine Beers

Sign up for a FREE call with Jeannie. Click the link here: https://debbiesardone.com/coachjeannie. Ready to turn your grime story into a success story? Get a free strategy session with CBF Coach Jeannie Henderson and learn about how Cleaning Business Fundamentals will give you the proven strategies you need to grow a thriving, profitable cleaning business.

Episode Summary: In this inspiring episode of True Grime Stories, I sit down with Pristine Beers, CEO of White Lilac Cleaning, to discuss her journey from hands-on cleaner to leading a thriving, multi-location cleaning business. Starting in Wasilla, Alaska in 2018, Pristine grew her business to three locations, including Anchorage, AK, and Mesa, AZ, while staying true to her faith-driven mission. She shares candid stories about the struggles of letting go of field work, the mindset shifts needed to trust and empower a team, and how her commitment to biblical principles guides her leadership. Pristine’s focus on making an “eternity impact” over just day-to-day gains offers powerful lessons for entrepreneurs looking to align their business growth with purpose and values.

Key Topics:

• Pristine’s transition from cleaner to CEO and the challenges of leaving the field.
• The strategic decision to expand into multiple locations, including cross-state operations.
• Overcoming fears around hiring and trusting others with client relationships.
• Building a mission-driven business rooted in faith and biblical principles.
• Balancing growth goals with flexibility when life changes happen.
• Leading with compassion, grace, and a long-term vision for impact.
• Encouraging employees to set and achieve personal goals, such as buying homes or paying off debt.
• The importance of investing in business training, mentorship, and proven systems.
• Viewing business as a platform for both financial freedom and generational change.

Guest’s Information: 

• Learn more about White Lilac Cleaning at: https://whitelilaccleaning.com/
• Learn more about Little White Flamingo at: https://www.littlewhiteflamingos.com/
• Learn more about Living Water Family Home at: https://livingwaterfamilyhome.com/
• CBF (Cleaning Business Fundamentals) – A business coaching program that helped understand what was missing and how to build systems that actually work.

Subscribe to True Grime Stories and be sure to click the links below to learn more and connect with us on social media for more tips and insights

Connect with Jeannie:

• Website: jeanniehenderson.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeannieHendersonConsulting/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanniehenderson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniehenderson

“Just don't give up. Everything is figureoutable.” - Amber Gardner

Sign up for a FREE call with Jeannie. Click the link here: https://debbiesardone.com/coachjeannie. Ready to turn your grime story into a success story? Get a free strategy session with CBF Coach Jeannie Henderson and learn about how Cleaning Business Fundamentals will give you the proven strategies you need to grow a thriving, profitable cleaning business.

Episode Summary: In this eye-opening episode of True Grime Stories, Amber Gardner talks about how she went from constantly “putting out fires” to running a streamlined, system-driven cleaning business that thrives without her needing to micromanage every detail.

Amber shares how, in the early years, her days were consumed by emergencies—employee no-shows, client complaints, and scheduling chaos—which left little room for growth or strategy. The breakthrough came when she invested in learning, implemented strong operational systems, and empowered her team to take ownership of their roles.

From creating detailed client preference processes to making sure the right people are in the right seats, Amber reveals how preparation and proactive management now prevent problems before they happen. Her approach has improved both her work-life balance and her company’s steady growth.

This is a must-listen for any cleaning business owner who wants to trade daily chaos for sustainable success.

🧩 Key Topics:

• Amber’s background and entry into the cleaning industry
• Early struggles: constant emergencies, no-shows, and reactive management
• How system gaps hurt both client experience and team morale
• The decision to invest in learning and business coaching
• Creating detailed client preference systems for better service
• Matching the right people to the right roles for smoother operations
• Building a team culture where staff are empowered to solve problems
• Transitioning from firefighting to proactive business management
• The positive impact of preparation and clear processes on growth
• How systems free up time for leadership and strategic planning
• The mindset shift from “I have to do it all” to “My team can handle it”
• Long-term benefits: reduced stress, happier clients, and consistent growth

Guest’s Information: 

• Learn more about The Clean Team: www.thecleanteamportclinton.com
• CBF (Cleaning Business Fundamentals) – A business coaching program that helped understand what was missing and how to build systems that actually work.

Subscribe to True Grime Stories and be sure to click the links below to learn more and connect with us on social media for more tips and insights

Connect with Jeannie:

• Website: jeanniehenderson.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeannieHendersonConsulting/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanniehenderson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniehenderson

“I'm kicking myself for is not joining everything sooner than I did.” - Darlyn Theisen

Sign up for a FREE call with Jeannie. Click the link here: https://debbiesardone.com/coachjeannie.Ready to turn your grime story into a success story? Get a free strategy session with CBF Coach Jeannie Henderson and learn about how Cleaning Business Fundamentals will give you the proven strategies you need to grow a thriving, profitable cleaning business.

Episode Summary: In this inspiring episode of True Grime Stories, Darlyn Theisen, who shares how one of the scariest decisions in her cleaning business led to her greatest growth.

Darlyn started her business with just $85, a mop, and a handful of clients. For over a decade, she cleaned homes herself and managed a constantly changing team of part-time workers. Chaos, call-outs, and broken systems left her overwhelmed, reactive, and teetering on burnout.

Everything changed when she discovered the CBF (Cleaning Business Fundamentals) program and leaned into a new model of solo cleaners, full-time staff, and empowered systems. Though the shift brought fear and resistance, the result was powerful: smoother operations, happier clients, and a revitalized team culture.

Darlyn now leads a thriving company with over 170 recurring clients, reduced stress, and new personal freedom—including building a cabin in her hometown. Her story proves that with structure, community, and the courage to pivot, big scary changes can lead to big-time breakthroughs.

Key Topics:

• Starting a cleaning business from scratch with no plan—just necessity
• Working solo for 15 years before realizing the business potential
• The chaos and stress of managing a large part-time staff
• Discovering online cleaning communities and business coaching
• Hiring and training full-time solo cleaners for consistency and accountability
• Letting go of control and vehicles to streamline operations
• Handling fear and resistance from both clients and staff during major changes
• The impact of clear systems, boundaries, and enforced policies
• Shifting from burnout to joy by creating a healthier work-life balance
• Giving back: monthly team-led charity donations and local nonprofit support
• Long-term goals: hitting the million-dollar mark and creating time freedom
• Advice to other cleaning business owners: don’t do it alone—get support early

Guest’s Information: 

• Learn more about Cleaning Solutions: www.cleaningsolutionsmp.com
• CBF (Cleaning Business Fundamentals) – A business coaching program that helped understand what was missing and how to build systems that actually work.

Subscribe to True Grime Stories and be sure to click the links below to learn more and connect with us on social media for more tips and insights

Connect with Jeannie:

• Website: jeanniehenderson.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeannieHendersonConsulting/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanniehenderson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniehenderson

House Cleaning Business, Cleaning Business Owners, Cleaning Industry, Scaling a Cleaning Business, Cleaning Business Growth, Leadership, Mentorship, AI Marketing, SEO for Cleaners, Team Building, Podcast

“It gets easier when you're bigger, not harder”. - Karen Hamilton

Sign up for a FREE call with Jeannie. Click the link here: https://debbiesardone.com/coachjeannie. Ready to turn your grime story into a success story? Get a free strategy session with CBF Coach Jeannie Henderson and learn about how Cleaning Business Fundamentals will give you the proven strategies you need to grow a thriving, 

Episode Summary: In this empowering episode of True Grime Stories, host Jeannie Henderson sits down with Karen Hamilton, founder of Pristine House Cleaning, to explore the unexpected challenges and breakthroughs in building a cleaning business from the ground up. After a decade as a stay-at-home mom, Karen dove into entrepreneurship at age 40 with no formal experience—but a powerful drive to prove herself and provide a better life for her family.

Karen opens up about the rapid growth of her business post-COVID, the overwhelm that came with it, and the hard lesson that bigger can break you—unless you invest ahead. She shares how waiting too long to hire administrative help nearly cost her team and clients, and how hiring virtual assistants (VAs) helped her regain control, reduce burnout, and lead with confidence.

This episode is filled with real talk on mindset shifts, scaling smart, and how investments in systems and people can transform chaos into clarity. If you’re growing fast and feeling the pressure—Karen’s story is the playbook you didn’t know you needed.

🧩 Key Topics:

• Starting a cleaning business after motherhood and at midlife
• Rapid post-COVID growth and the dangers of scaling too fast
• The reality of burnout when you try to do it all
• Hiring before you're “ready” vs. waiting too long
• Transitioning from paper-based systems to digital workflows
• The power of virtual assistants in cleaning businesses
• Mindset shifts: From cost to investment
• Letting go of control to grow with structure
• Why building office systems is essential for long-term success
• Emotional toll of being overwhelmed and how it affects leadership
• Advice on investing in business coaching and support
• What true growth looks like—financially, emotionally, and operationally

Guest’s Information: 

• Learn more about Pristine House Cleaning: https://pristinehouseclean.com/
• CBF (Cleaning Business Fundamentals) – A business coaching program that helped understand what was missing and how to build systems that actually work.

Subscribe to True Grime Stories and be sure to click the links below to learn more and connect with us on social media for more tips and insights

Connect with Jeannie:

• Website: jeanniehenderson.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeannieHendersonConsulting/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanniehenderson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniehenderson

“Your team can only thrive and be passionate about what they do when they can see the positive impact of their work in the lives of others”. - Jeannie Henderson

Sign up for a FREE call with Jeannie. Click the link here: https://debbiesardone.com/coachjeannie. Ready to turn your grime story into a success story? Get a free strategy session with CBF Coach Jeannie Henderson and learn about how Cleaning Business Fundamentals will give you the proven strategies you need to grow a thriving, 

Episode Summary: In this heartfelt solo episode of True Grime Stories, I’m stepping into the spotlight to share one of my own grime scenes—and how it became the foundation for building a mission-driven business I love.

After decades in the restaurant and nonprofit industries, I found myself burned out and exhausted. That’s when my husband and I made the leap into the cleaning business—even though I had zero experience. In my first year, I faced high turnover, constant employee burnout, and a deep sense of overwhelm. I couldn’t keep good people, and honestly, I was barely holding it together.

But everything changed when I realized something powerful: my team wasn’t just cleaning homes—they were changing lives. From that insight, I created our mission: “To make lives better in all that we do.” That one shift transformed how I led, how we worked as a team, and how our business began to grow.

Today, I lead a team of over 35 incredible people and have the privilege of coaching cleaning business owners all over the country. In this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about leadership, culture, and building a business that doesn’t just survive—but truly thrives.

If you're struggling with burnout, team turnover, or just want to lead with heart, this episode is for you. I’ve been there—and I want to help you find your way through it too.

Key Topics:

✅ Starting from Scratch

• Jeannie’s shift from nonprofit burnout to business ownership
• Buying a small cleaning company with 54 clients and 4 employees

✅ The Burnout Breakdown

• Struggling with high turnover and disengaged employees
• Realizing the emotional toll of leadership without clarity or mission

✅ The Game-Changer: Company Mission

• Creating the mission: “To make lives better in all that we do”
• Why cleaning isn’t just cleaning—and how sharing stories built pride
• Turning everyday tasks into meaningful work

✅ Rebuilding Culture from the Ground Up

• How employee morale, communication, and loyalty improved
• Professional and personal development inside the company
• Bringing in financial advisors, health experts, and life mentors for staff

✅ People-First Leadership

The three pillars of employee engagement (from Patrick Lencioni):

• Being known
• Having meaning
• Measuring impact

✅ From 3 Employees to 35+

• Growing a mission-focused team with pride and purpose
• Creating a workplace where people want to belong—and stay

✅ Bigger Impact

• Supporting causes like Cleaning for a Reason
• Giving back to the community through nonprofit partnerships and donations
• How generosity fuels team engagement

✅ Looking Ahead

Teaser: Jeannie’s upcoming Culture Magic book and training program

Subscribe to True Grime Stories and be sure to click the links below to learn more and connect with us on social media for more tips and insights

Connect with me:

• Learn more about Jeannie Cleaning: https://jeanniecleaning.com/
• Get a free strategy session, book a call now at https://debbiesardone.com/coachjeannie
• Website: jeanniehenderson.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeannieHendersonConsulting/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanniehenderson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniehenderson

"Every milestone you meet creates a whole new challenge. But if you have the right people in the right seats, and a strong support system—you can overcome anything." — Keely Graves

Sign up for a FREE call with Jeannie. Click the link here: https://debbiesardone.com/coachjeannie.

Ready to turn your grime story into a success story? Get a free strategy session with CBF Coach Jeannie Henderson and learn about how Cleaning Business Fundamentals will give you the proven strategies you need to grow a thriving, profitable cleaning business. 

Episode Summary:

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Jeannie Henderson sits down with Keely Graves, owner of Keely’s Cleaning Crew in Bismarck, North Dakota. What began as a way to care for her son turned into a thriving residential cleaning company now serving over 300 clients. Keely shares how her accidental start evolved into intentional growth, the hard lessons she learned around delegation and trust, and why building a leadership team was the key to reclaiming her time and sanity.

Key Topics:

• Starting a business from personal necessity
• Transitioning from solo cleaner to multi-employee business
• The emotional grit behind scaling a cleaning company
• Building a leadership team and creating trust
• Getting the right people in the right seats
• Letting go of perfection and embracing progress
• Family, business, and why it truly takes a village
• Insights from the Cleaning Business Fundamentals (CBF) Pro program

Guest’s Information:

Keely Graves

• Founder & Owner, Keely’s Cleaning Crew
• Website: https://keelyscc.com

Keely is a proud graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, a member of the Cleaning Business Fundamentals (CBF) program, and a passionate supporter of Cleaning for a Reason, a nonprofit providing free house cleaning to cancer patients. With a heart for people and a vision for growth, Keely continues to serve her community by offering flexible job opportunities and exceptional service across Bismarck and beyond.

Connect with Jeannie:

• Website: jeanniehenderson.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeannieHendersonConsulting/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanniehenderson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniehenderson

"The universe is going to test you to see how badly you want it. When it gets tough, it’s not punishment — it’s a test. Rise to it." — Katherine Banks

Sign up for a FREE call with Jeannie. Click the link here: https://debbiesardone.com/coachjeannie.

Ready to turn your grime story into a success story? Get a free strategy session with CBF Coach Jeannie Henderson and learn about how Cleaning Business Fundamentals will give you the proven strategies you need to grow a thriving, 

Episode Summary:

What do interior design, hair salons, and hospital construction have to do with building a thriving cleaning business? Everything — if you’re Katherine Banks. In this episode, Katherine shares how she transformed a search for flexibility and freedom into a growing cleaning business with 10+ technicians in just under two years. Learn what it really takes to grow, what mistakes to avoid, and why investing in your hiring process is non-negotiable.

Key Topics:

• Transitioning careers with intention (from design to hair to cleaning)
• Building a scalable business with a vision to become an absentee owner
• Navigating the daily “grime” of staffing and team building
• Smart investments in hiring and tracking technician success
• Using hiring metrics to improve retention
• Leadership lessons from CBF and creating a workplace of value
• How to overcome ghosting and hiring frustrations with strategy
• Why your ad spend matters more than you think

Guest’s Information:

Katherine Banks

Founder & Owner, Best Day Housecleaning

Geneva, IL

🌐 Website: www.bestdayhousecleaning.com

📺 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BestDayHousecleaning

📸 Instagram: @bestday_housecleaning

Katherine is building a reputation for excellence in the Geneva, IL community with a focus on company culture, employee retention, and scalable systems. As a CBF member, she's growing a cleaning company that not only delivers top-tier service but also aspires to become one of the best places to work.

Connect with Jeannie:

• Website: jeanniehenderson.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeannieHendersonConsulting/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanniehenderson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniehenderson

 "Your team cannot grow unless you grow. So don’t be afraid to slow down, build the foundations, and stay rooted to your values. Culture is everything." — Tetiana Kolcheva

Sign up for a FREE call with Jeannie. Click the link here: https://debbiesardone.com/coachjeannie.Ready to turn your grime story into a success story? Get a free strategy session with CBF Coach Jeannie Henderson and learn about how Cleaning Business Fundamentals will give you the proven strategies you need to grow a thriving, profitable cleaning business. 

Episode Summary: What happens when a stay-at-home twin mom with no business history in the U.S. decides to start a cleaning business? If you’re Tetiana Kolcheva, you grow into a confident CEO—with a thriving company, a strong culture, and a team whose lives are being changed by your leadership.

Jeannie sits down with Tetiana, owner of Summit Cleaning in Colorado, to talk about the messy middle, the mindset shifts, and the systems that helped her go from first client to steady growth—and why she believes everyone deserves that kind of opportunity.

🎧 In this episode:

• How Tetiana found CBF before she found her first employee
• 
  
• The moment she realized she’d outgrown her systems
• 
  
• Why she believes culture is the foundation for sustainable growth
• 
  
• Touching stories of her team’s life-changing wins
• 
  

Guest’s Information: 

• Learn more about Summit Cleaning: https://summitcleaningco.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/summitcleaningllc/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summitcleaningco/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/summitcleaningllc/
• CBF (Cleaning Business Fundamentals) – A business coaching program that helped understand what was missing and how to build systems that actually work.

Subscribe to True Grime Stories and be sure to click the links below to learn more and connect with us on social media for more tips and insights

Connect with Jeannie:

• Website: jeanniehenderson.com
• Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/JeannieHendersonConsulting/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanniehenderson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniehenderson

✨ Subscribe, download, and share this episode—it might just be the spark someone else needs to believe they can grow too.

#TrueGrimeStories #CleaningBusinessWisdom #CBFSuccess #LeadershipJourney

Sign up for a FREE call with Jeannie. Click the link here: https://debbiesardone.com/coachjeannie.

Ready to turn your grime story into a success story? Get a free strategy session with CBF Coach Jeannie Henderson and learn about how Cleaning Business Fundamentals will give you the proven strategies you need to grow a thriving, 

Episode Summary: In this powerful episode of True Grime Stories, I sit down with cleaning industry leader and entrepreneur Jhon LeBaron, co-owner of Primavera Cleaning Services. Jhon shares how a full-blown admin team mutiny nearly derailed his business and how it led to the boldest move of his career: going 100% remote.

What started as a crisis became a catalyst for growth, freedom, and smarter operations. Jhon opens up about the systems, hiring strategy, and mindset shifts that allowed him to scale to over $3 million in revenue and lead a team from anywhere, all while prioritizing his role as a husband and father of six.

If you’re craving more time, stronger leadership, and long-term sustainability, Jhon’s story proves that freedom isn’t found by working harder—it’s found by building better systems.

🔑 Key Topics Covered:

✅ The “Grime Scene” that sparked the shift

• Losing his entire admin team almost overnight
• Hiring struggles and operational chaos

✅ The decision to go fully remote

• Why it happened
• How it solved more than just hiring problems

✅ Building a systems-first business

• Documentation, process clarity, and tech
• Keys to onboarding and training a remote workforce

✅ Mindset + Management

• Embracing chaos as a sign of growth
• How his leadership style evolved post-mutiny

✅ Tips for starting with remote hiring

• Three steps to take before hiring your first VA or remote admin
• What most cleaning business owners get wrong

Guest’s Information: 

• Learn more about Primavera Cleaning Service: https://primaveracleaning.com/ 
• JhonLeBaron.com
• CBF (Cleaning Business Fundamentals) – A business coaching program that helped understand what was missing and how to build systems that actually work.

Subscribe to True Grime Stories and be sure to click the links below to learn more and connect with us on social media for more tips and insights

Connect with Jeannie:

• Website: jeanniehenderson.com
• Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/JeannieHendersonConsulting/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanniehenderson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniehenderson