The Cleaning Journey

The Brutal Truth About Scaling to 80 Employees (Don't Do This)

Burnout, Systems & Scaling a Cleaning Business Too Fast Misael Avalos sits down with Shania Gladwell, founder of Beskar Cleaning, to discuss the early years of building a cleaning company during COVID and the reality of scaling too quickly. Shania shares how she went from working in government recruitment to managing more than 80 employees while raising a newborn and trying to keep her business afloat during one of the most chaotic periods in recent history. This episode covers: ✅ Early growth in the cleaning industry ✅ Wearing every hat in the business ✅ Cleaning while hiring and training staff ✅ The mental toll of scaling too fast ✅ Burnout and becoming the operational bottleneck ✅ Virtual assistants and delegation ✅ Instant quoting systems and automation ✅ Why systems create freedom ✅ Leadership lessons from staying on the tools If you're currently overwhelmed in your cleaning business or struggling to remove yourself from operations, this episode will give you practical systems and mindset shifts to scale more sustainably. 🎧 Part 2 dives deeper into recurring revenue, luxury clients, hiring systems, retention, and building a premium scalable brand. 🔗 CONNECT WITH SHANIA GLADWELL 📺 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ShaniaGladwell [https://www.youtube.com/@ShaniaGladwell] 📱 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@venturementors?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@venturementors?lang=en] 📘 Free eBook — Uncompromising Success https://www.venturementors.com.au/resources/uncompromising-success [https://www.venturementors.com.au/resources/uncompromising-success] Facebook 🧼 Beskar Cleaning https://www.facebook.com/beskarcleaning [https://www.facebook.com/beskarcleaning] 🤖 Cornerstone AI https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572908942078 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572908942078] 📈 Venture Mentors https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567442694090 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567442694090] 🛠️ Beskar Tiling https://www.facebook.com/BeskarTiling [https://www.facebook.com/BeskarTiling] 👤 Shania Gladwell https://www.facebook.com/shania.gladwell/ [https://www.facebook.com/shania.gladwell/] 💼 JOBBER — FREE TRIAL + 20% OFF Start your 2-week free trial and get 20% off for 6 months here: https://go.getjobber.com/misael [https://go.getjobber.com/misael] 🎙️ THE CLEANING JOURNEY For YouTube and Spotify: 🎥Subscribe: ‪@misaavalos‬ For more cleaning tips videos! 📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney 📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos Jobber: https://go.getjobber.com/misael [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-avalos/free-discovery-call [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 [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit] 🧠 ABOUT SHANIA GLADWELL Shania Gladwell is the founder of Beskar Investments Group which includes Beskar Cleaning across 19 locations in Australia, Beskar Tiling, Cornerstone AI, and Venture Mentors. She helps service-based business owners scale through automation systems, leadership, hiring infrastructure, smart websites, CRM systems, and strategic growth consulting. Starting in the cleaning industry before expanding Australia-wide, Shania built and scaled her company into an award-winning business before transitioning into helping entrepreneurs globally create businesses that run without constant owner involvement.

Ep. 33 Part 2 - The Scheduling System Behind a Million-Dollar Cleaning Company

How do you schedule 150+ homes per day without chaos? In Part 2 of this episode, Holly Moore breaks down the systems, scheduling strategies, hiring mindset, and company culture that helped her scale Maids & More into a massive residential cleaning operation. In This Episode We Cover: • Why most cleaning companies schedule the wrong way • How map-based scheduling changed everything • The software Holly built to run 150+ cleanings per day • Why sales should drive hiring — NOT the other way around • Handling call-outs and last-minute schedule changes at scale • Employee retention systems that actually work • Building culture inside a growing company • Review strategies that increase retention and motivate employees Guest: Holly Moore Founder of Maids & More Founder of The Cleaning Software Founder of MyCleanCon Follow Holly & The Cleaning Software: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553738314858 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553738314858] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecleaningsoftware/ [https://www.instagram.com/thecleaningsoftware/] Recommended Software: If you're serious about building systems that remove you as the bottleneck, 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 [https://go.getjobber.com/misael] Follow The Cleaning Journey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaningjourney/ [https://www.instagram.com/cleaningjourney/] Misael Avalos: https://www.instagram.com/misa.avalos/ [https://www.instagram.com/misa.avalos/] Free 45-Minute Business Call: https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call [https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call] Want To Be Featured On The Podcast? https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit]

Ep. 33 - STOP TAKING EVERY CLIENT | From $1,200 to $1,000,000 (Part 1)

What if saying no to clients is actually the thing that helps you scale? In this episode of The Cleaning Journey, Holly Moore breaks down the mindset and systems that took her from a chaotic $300K operation to building a multi-million dollar residential cleaning company with 150+ employees and 150+ homes serviced per day. Starting with just $1,200 from a school teacher's bonus, Holly built Maids and More into a powerhouse — and eventually stepped away as CEO after creating the systems, culture, and infrastructure needed to scale without her. This is Part 1 of her story, and it starts with a lesson most cleaning business owners ignore: stop taking every client. In this episode, we discuss: • Why taking every client is killing your growth • The early chaos of running a $300K cleaning business • How Holly scaled to 150+ employees and 150+ daily cleanings • The systems and scheduling structure that made growth possible • The mindset shift from operator to CEO • What it really takes to build a business that can run without you Holly Moore is the founder of Maids and More, as well as Taggle Cleaning Software and MyClecon. Her journey is a masterclass in building systems, creating culture, and scaling a cleaning business the right way. If you're stuck in the day-to-day, overwhelmed with growth, or trying to build something bigger than yourself — this episode will change how you think about scaling. 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 [https://go.getjobber.com/misael] Subscribe & Connect Subscribe to The Cleaning Journey Podcast for weekly conversations with cleaning business owners 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 [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 [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit]

Ep. 32 — From Corporate to Crime Scene: Buying a Biohazard Cleaning Business

What does it really look like to walk away from corporate careers and step into one of the most emotionally demanding industries out there? In this episode of The Cleaning Journey, Katie and Kyle Wilson share how they went from successful corporate roles to becoming co-owners of a Spaulding Decon franchise in Tampa, Florida — a crime scene and biohazard cleaning business that demands both operational precision and deep human empathy. After three years of researching business acquisition, building a detailed "buy box," and reviewing hundreds of opportunities, they found the right fit — a business aligned with their core values of resilience, connection, and growth beyond comfort. But nothing could have prepared them for what came next. In this episode, we cover: • How to build a buy box and evaluate acquisition opportunities • The difference between SDE vs. EBITDA (and why it matters) • What the first 90 days of ownership actually look like • Taking over existing systems and setting culture with a small team • The emotional reality of crime scene and biohazard cleaning • Their first job — an unattended death discovered six weeks later • Why surrounding yourself with the right people is critical when buying a business Katie brings a strong background in operational leadership and team scaling, having grown an organization from 2 to 30+ employees across multiple departments. Kyle's experience in large-scale logistics and project management now shapes his accountability-first approach to operations. Together, they offer a rare perspective on both the mechanics of buying a business and the human side of service work — from supporting grieving families to delivering real relief in difficult moments. At the core of their mission is a simple but powerful message: Check on your neighbor. 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 [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 [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 [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit]

Ep. 31 – How to Buy a Cleaning Business (And 14x Revenue in 8 Months)

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 [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 [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 [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10RsS2J2CzQjW8ttbljx2LfebK9sMtmSz9AG0ipMAlx8/edit]