Smart Business Moves

Join Tom Stewart and Liz Trotter and special guest Debbie Sardone for a preview of Debbie's session coming up at the ISSA Residential convention - The "Paranoid" Advantage: Disrupting the Cleaning Industry with AI Agents. Debbie will show why she treats AI less like a chatbot and more like a 24/7 digital employee, using tools like Manus and ChatGPT to automate hiring memos, win back...

Most cleaning business owners don't have a revenue problem — they have a systems problem. Paul Auguste, founder of a multi-million dollar residential cleaning company, joins us to break down the frameworks that turn hands-on operators into true owners. If you're stuck in the day-to-day, this conversation is your roadmap to scaling without the chaos.

Pricing and services won't make your business memorable — your brand will. Allie Williamson joins co-hosts Tom Stewart and Liz Trotter on Smart Business Moves to show cleaning business owners at the ISSA Show how to build a brand that stands out, earns trust, and drives referrals. From personal vs. company branding to content that converts, this conversation is packed with strategies you can...

Join Tom Stewart and Liz Trotter and special guest Martha Woodward for a preview of Martha's session coming up at the ISSA Residential convention - Keep Your People, But With Better Results. And hear them reminisce on the 20+ year history of ISSA Residential, which started as ARCSI, and the evolution of the residential cleaning convention event.

Join hosts Tom Stewart and Liz Trotter for a special episode of Smart Business Moves featuring Angela Ricketts, who with her husband Matt founded Better Life Home, one of the nation's leading residential cleaning companies, and who also founded the nonprofit Sight Stones. Angela is launching her new book Never Lose Sight in July 2026. Angela shares how profit from a cleaning business can empo...

Tom Stewart and Liz Trotter are coming together for a timely conversation about what cleaning businesses should be doing now to prepare for what’s ahead. Designed for residential and commercial cleaning business owners, this event will focus on navigating rising costs, changing consumer behavior, and growing operational pressure before market conditions worsen. Attendees will walk away with practi...

Tom Stewart and Liz Trotter are coming together for a timely conversation about what cleaning businesses should be doing now to prepare for what’s ahead. Designed for residential and commercial cleaning business owners, this event will focus on navigating rising costs, changing consumer behavior, and growing operational pressure before market conditions worsen. Attendees will walk away with practi...

Join Tom Stewart and Liz Trotter for one last episode of Smart Business Moves as they look back on the best moments, biggest lessons, and lasting impact of the show. They’ll reflect on how the house cleaning industry has evolved, where it stands today, and what the future holds for business owners, leaders, and innovators. This episode is a chance to celebrate the journey, thank those who made it...

Join Tom Stewart and Liz Trotter on this week’s episode of Smart Business Moves as they welcome Libby DeLucien, founder of WootRecruit and a featured speaker at the ISSA Residential Members-Only Mastermind. This episode will explore the key themes of the upcoming event, with a focus on hiring, recruitment, and workforce development in the residential cleaning industry. Libby will share exclusive i...

Join Tom Stewart and Liz Trotter on this week’s episode of Smart Business Moves as they welcome back RJ Patel for a deep dive into Cleaning for Health—not just appearance. RJ will share insights on how professional cleaning goes beyond aesthetics to improve indoor air quality, reduce infections, and create healthier environments. He’ll also discuss his work with the Infection Prevention Institute...

Join Tom Stewart and Liz Trotter on this week’s episode of Smart Business Moves as they welcome a powerhouse panel featuring Joe Walsh of Green Clean Maine, Matt Ricketts of Better Life Maids, and Chris Willatt of Alpine Maids. They’ll dive into the value of business awards—like the Inc. 5000—and how they can be leveraged to elevate your brand, build credibility, and drive growth. Learn how top-pe...

Join Tom Stewart and Ajia Holiday on this week’s episode of Smart Business Moves as they welcome Paul Fried, a seasoned entrepreneur and business strategist with a strong background in operations, marketing, and growth strategy. With years of experience in both the cleaning industry and business expansion, Paul will share his insights on how cleaning business owners can leverage their revenue to e...

Join Tom Stewart and Liz Trotter on this week’s episode of Smart Business Moves as they welcome Joe Gelderman, a seasoned professional with extensive experience in talent acquisition and business development. Joe brings a wealth of knowledge in creating effective hiring strategies and reducing risk through innovative assessment tools. Together, they’ll explore how to refine your hiring practices,...

Join Tom Stewart and Liz Trotter on this week’s episode of Smart Business Moves as they welcome Trent Lowenstein to explore the often overlooked yet crucial role of managers in any business. They’ll discuss who managers are, why they are essential, how to manage them effectively, and what KPIs should be in place to measure their success. Discover why managers are the most valuable players in your...

Join Tom Stewart on this week’s episode of Smart Business Moves as he welcomes Dan Fleisher, hiring expert and leader at HireBus. Dan will dive into the latest hiring trends, highlighting the importance of behavioral fit, the need for speed in the hiring process, and the value of creating candidate-centric hiring practices. If you’re looking to refine your hiring strategy and attract top talent, t...

Join Tom Stewart and Liz Trotter on this week’s episode of Smart Business Moves as they welcome Tina Servis, owner of Maid 4 Time and CEO of Lead Titan, Sales & Marketing Automation. Tina, a seasoned entrepreneur with a proven track record of growing businesses, will share her insights on how automation and AI can help streamline operations, save time, and drive growth. Tune in every Wednesday...

Join Liz Trotter on this week’s episode of Smart Business Moves as she welcomes Heather Canning and Rosie Selvaggio, two accomplished cleaning business owners and Core Coaches at Core Profit Builders. With their combined expertise as successful entrepreneurs and experienced coaches, Heather and Rosie will break down the differences between coaching, consulting, and mentoring to help you decide whi...

Join Tom Stewart and Liz Trotter on this week’s episode of Smart Business Moves as they welcome Dean Mercado, CEO of Online Marketing Muscle and growth strategist. With a focus on the evolving role of AI in business, we'll explore smart strategies and AI tools to amplify productivity in your business and streamline tedious tasks. Discover how blending technology with proven growth tactics can...

Join Tom Stewart and Liz Trotter on this week’s episode of Smart Business Moves as they welcome Olu Auguste, a business leader with a wealth of experience in strategic growth. In this episode, Olu will dive into the foundational need for strong marketing and sales to drive business success. Learn how to implement strategies that build a solid foundation for sustainable growth and set your business...

Join Tom Stewart and Liz Trotter on this week’s episode of Smart Business Moves as they welcome Don Stormo, Founder and CEO of MarketPros. AI. Don will share his insights on how combining the power of AI with human creativity can drive ROI-focused marketing strategies. Learn practical tips and tricks for blending cutting-edge technology with personal engagement to create meaningful connections and...

Join Tom Stewart and special co-host Ajia Holiday on this week’s episode of Smart Business Moves as they welcome Beth Derickson, owner of Cornerstone Cleaning, Jon Lorbacher, owner of Town & Country Cleaning and Erin Lasch, Education Development Manager at ISSA.With the ISSA Show 2024 in Las Vegas just around the corner, they’ll discuss practical strategies to help you pre-plan and make the mo...

Join Liz Trotter on this week’s episode of Smart Business Moves as she welcomes Candice Rodriguez and Lizzie Strohl. Together, they will discuss the critical transition from annual planning to driving real performance by aligning your team with your company's strategic goals. Learn how to keep your team focused, engaged, and accountable throughout the year, ensuring that every action aligns w...

Join Liz Trotter and Tom Stewart on this week’s episode of Smart Business Moves as they welcome RJ Patel, a seasoned entrepreneur and industry leader. In this episode, they’ll explore the importance of strategic planning for 2025 and beyond, diving into actionable steps to ensure your business doesn’t get left behind. RJ will share his insights on building a future-focused plan that drives growth,...

Join Tom Stewart and Liz Trotter on this week’s episode of Smart Business Moves as they welcome Ajia Holiday, Education and Training Manager at MaidCentral. Together, they’ll dive into how businesses can leverage technology to create consistency and fuel growth. Ajia will share her expertise on streamlining operations, maintaining service quality, and scaling effectively through smart tech solutio...

Join Tom Stewart and Liz Trotter on this week’s episode of Smart Business Moves as they welcome Derek Christian, a seasoned entrepreneur and expert in the residential cleaning industry. This episode will focus on the ins and outs of selling your cleaning business, from preparing for a sale to understanding different types of investors. Derek will share invaluable insights into what investors are l...