The Cleaning Journey

What does it take to stay in the cleaning industry for over two decades… and still be hungry to scale? In this episode of The Cleaning Journey Podcast , Misael sits down with R.J. Patel , founder of PCT Clean and PCT Janitorial in Kennesaw, Georgia, to break down what it really takes to build a cleaning company that runs without you. After 23 years in business, R.J. is pushing harder than ever tow...

If you're building a carpet cleaning business and wondering whether the franchise model actually works, this episode is your blueprint. Bryce Gilbert started Mr. Steam with just $7,000, a psychology degree, and a Honda Civic with the passenger seat ripped out. Today, he operates 15 carpet-cleaning franchise locations across Canada — without spending a single dollar on paid advertising. In this epi...

What if the thing holding you back became the exact thing that pushed you forward? Lorephil Toledo didn't speak English when she arrived in Canada. No money. No business experience. No connections. Just a vision—and a relentless belief that anything is possible. Today, she runs Prime Key Management Cleaning across Alberta with a growing team, serving both residential and commercial clients. But wh...

What happens when a business you never meant to start becomes your entire life? At 19, Megan had no business plan, no structure, and was working three jobs just to afford her own place. She accidentally fell into cleaning, started picking up clients, and before she knew it she was faced with a decision: finish her policing degree, or go all-in on a business she never planned to build. Fast forward...

Do you own a business… or did you just buy yourself a job? Most cleaning business owners think they're building a company — but in reality, they're building a demanding job that depends entirely on them. Adam Povlitz learned this the hard way. Even as CEO, he couldn't take a vacation without his laptop. Nothing moved forward without his approval. He was the bottleneck slowing down his own growth....

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 lin...

Want to Scale Your Cleaning Business to 7 Figures—Without Burning Out? 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 br...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 co...

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 h...

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 leadin...

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 con...

How to Start a Cleaning Business Even If You Don't Feel Ready Starting a cleaning business feels overwhelming when you don't feel ready, no plan, no experience, and a lot of fear. In this episode of the Cleaning Journey Podcast, Misa sits down with Swaara Heli, the owner of Made for Condos, whose story proves you can begin long before you feel confident. Whether you're launching a cleaning busines...

Running a cleaning business is more than systems and schedules — it's leadership, instincts, boundaries, and learning from the painful moments no one talks about. In today's episode, I'm joined by Donna Dougherty, founder of Go Green Cleaning Experts, an eco-friendly residential and commercial cleaning business based in Pennsylvania. Donna opens up about the season when cleaning business mistakes,...

How to Start a Cleaning Business Without These Cleaning Business Mistakes Starting a cleaning business is exciting, until the mistakes you don't even know you're making start holding you back. In this episode, we break down how to start a cleaning business the right way, so you can avoid the setbacks most new owners struggle with. Whether you're launching a cleaning business start-up, a commercial...

In this episode of The Cleaning Journey Podcast, Yvette Peguero, founder of Evie's Cleaners, shares her story of turning a layoff into a thriving cleaning business. She opens up about her journey from residential to commercial cleaning, her approach to hiring and onboarding, and the importance of leadership and team culture. Yvette explains how she uses Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to keep...

In this episode, Misa sits down to uncover The #1 Mindset Shift That Took Her Cleaning Business to the Next Level. Whether you're just starting a cleaning business or ready to expand your commercial cleaning business, this conversation will show you how the right mindset can completely transform your results. If you've ever struggled with pricing, burnout, or self-doubt, you'll learn how to think...

She Quit Her 14-Year Government Job to Lead 11 Cleaning Teams! 💼 In this episode of The Cleaning Journey Podcast, Misa Avalos sits down with Poiette Noel, founder of No More Dust Maid Services, to uncover how she built a thriving cleaning business just one month before COVID hit, and turned it into a 7-figure success story. After 14 years in a secure federal career, Poiette made the bold leap int...

This episode features Misa Avalos interviewing Marie, a cleaning business owner from Westchester, Pennsylvania who scaled her company to approach the  million‑dollar  mark. Marie shares how she started the business after losing her hotel job during the pandemic and leveraged her housekeeping background to build a  professional service  rather than a solo cleaning gig. Key topics include: Starting...

In this episode of The Cleaning Journey Podcast, we sit down with Stephanie Pipkin, founder of Serene Clean, a highly rated cleaning service based in rural Wisconsin. Stephanie shares her inspiring journey from starting with a passion for cleaning to building a thriving, purpose-driven business built on family values, integrity, and continuous learning. 🌿 She opens up about the real challenges of...

In this episode of The Cleaning Journey Podcast , we sit down with Haileigh and Megan , co-owners of Sparkling Homes , to talk about how their cleaning business grew from humble beginnings to a thriving company built on faith, family, and integrity. 🙏✨ The sisters share how their foundational faith in Jesus Christ has guided every decision — from how they treat their clients to how they lead the...

In this episode, Misa sits down with Ashley Sternemann , owner of Perfection Cleaning , who has spent the last 18 years building a thriving cleaning business. Ashley shares her inspiring journey from a career in finance to becoming an entrepreneur, the challenges she faced in the early days, and how perseverance shaped her success. She highlights the importance of hiring the right people , buildin...