Facility Forward

Natalie Kayiwa
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  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The essential guide for commercial facility service founders. We dive deep into the business stories, systems, and strategies of industry leaders—exploring their biggest successes, critical failures, and the exact AI and automation tools they use to eliminate administrative friction and scale their business profitably. Learn from the best how to build a resilient, high-efficiency service empire.

Episodes

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    The Art of the Acquisition: AJ Crowe's Blueprint for Buying and Scaling a Business

    In this episode, Natalie Kayiwa sits down with AJ Crowe, the visionary behind OPW Solutions, to explore his inspiring journey into entrepreneurship. AJ shares how a pivotal moment in 2020 propelled him to leave the corporate world and pursue his dream of running his own company. Listen in to discover: The Power of Corporate Experience: AJ emphasizes the value of starting in a large public company to learn, make mistakes, and build a diverse skill set before venturing into entrepreneurship.Strategic Business Acquisition: Learn about AJ's meticulous process of identifying and acquiring a business, including key lessons on understanding seller motivations and structuring creative deals for mutual benefit.Transforming an Imperfect Business: Hear how AJ took over a seasonal snow removal and pressure washing company with no systems in place and expanded its services to include commercial landscaping, lot striping, and fence/concrete repair.Building a Growth-Oriented Culture: AJ shares his philosophy on creating a culture where employees feel like owners, emphasizing autonomy, proactive investment, and a focus on growth rather than reduction.The Art of Strategic Hiring: Gain insights into AJ's approach to hiring key personnel, including the importance of increasing your budget for top talent and empowering them with trust and support.Navigating Technology and AI: AJ offers a candid perspective on implementing technology and AI in a trade-based business, sharing both successes and cautionary tales from his own experience.This episode is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs, those considering business acquisition, and anyone looking to foster a strong, growth-driven culture within their organization.

    47 min

  2. 1 DAY AGO

    Scaling Success: From Traditional Business to Explosive Growth with AI

    Join Natalie as she sits down with Chris Ray from Infrared Team to uncover his remarkable journey into entrepreneurship. Chris shares how he transformed a traditional service business into a rapidly growing enterprise, achieving explosive growth by integrating modern sales strategies and AI-driven processes. Discover: The Power of a Multi-Channel Sales Approach: Learn how Chris combined traditional relationship-building with digital strategies like email marketing, SEO, and even cold calling to expand Infrared Team's reach.Landing High-Value Clients: Chris reveals his strategies for securing major national accounts, emphasizing the importance of understanding client challenges, presenting polished proposals, and demonstrating value.Overcoming Growth Challenges with Automation: Hear how Infrared Team proactively addressed scaling issues, including automating 60% of their reporting process with custom software and optimizing technician deployment.The Role of AI in Business Optimization: Explore how Chris's team actively seeks to integrate AI and automation into various departments, even hiring a dedicated resource to focus on these advancements.Infrared Inspections Explained: Get an insider's look into the critical service Infrared Team provides, understanding the necessity of annual electrical and mechanical infrastructure inspections and how their detailed reports offer solutions, not just problems.Chris's Top Entrepreneurial Advice: Be inspired by Chris's insights on betting on yourself, the passion for building and growing businesses, and the continuous pursuit of efficiency and profitability.This episode offers invaluable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to scale their operations, embrace new technologies, and achieve significant growth.

    27 min

  3. 18 FEB

    From Setbacks to Scale: Building a Multi-Million Dollar Business That Runs on Systems, Not Your Time

    Join us on Facility Forward as we hear from John Torres who transformed personal setbacks into entrepreneurial triumphs. Discover how he built a multi-million dollar commercial cleaning company that operates on robust systems, freeing him from the daily grind. John shares his journey from feeling stuck in a corporate job to discovering a new path in the commercial cleaning space. After learning and scaling this business he created Club Clean Academy, where he distills his proven framework for building a scalable cleaning business.  Learn how to clarify your vision, structure your company for growth, and implement systems that power your business, ensuring consistency and long-term success. Email info@clubcleaning.com for a free gift! https://joinclubclean.com/about-us/

    51 min

  4. 18 FEB

    Building Dreams in the Sunshine State: The Sun Consult Service Story

    Join us on Facility Forward as we sit down with Ben Spiske, a German architect who made the bold move to Florida to build Sun Consult Service. Ben shares his entrepreneurial journey, from navigating the complexities of starting a business in a new country to the evolution of Sun Consult Service into a multi-faceted construction and interior design firm. Discover how Ben and his wife balance their roles in the family business, their strategies for growth in the Florida market, including the launch of Sky 360 Construction, and their insights on leveraging AI for efficiency.  Ben also offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on marketing, networking, and the importance of delivering quality work to build a referral-based business. Website for more information: https://www.sunconsultservice.com/

    23 min

  5. 18 FEB

    The Grit and Growth of Grass Stains: Matt Holt's Entrepreneurial Journey

    This episode of Facility Forward features Matt Holt, the visionary behind Grass Stains, LLC. Matt's entrepreneurial spirit has driven Grass Stains from a residential landscape construction company to a diverse firm specializing in commercial landscaping, playground installations, and expanding into commercial maintenance and snow removal.  Matt shares candid insights into overcoming early challenges like overwhelm and imposter syndrome, the strategic shift from being a "yes man" to focusing on profitable opportunities, and the critical role of financial clarity and robust organizational systems like EOS.  Discover how Matt cultivates lasting client relationships through genuine networking, leverages AI for research and operational efficiency, and fosters a supportive team environment. This conversation offers invaluable lessons on resilience, strategic expansion, and the continuous pursuit of growth for any business owner. For more information: https://www.grasstainslandscaping.com/

    23 min

  6. 8 JAN

    The Chemistry of Clean: Chlorine Dioxide vs. Ozone for Smoke Odor & The Power of Germ Shield

    Join us as we dive deep into the world of professional odor removal with Dave Robinson owner of Master Germ and Odor Removal.  We explore the chemistry why chlorine dioxide is 10x more effective than traditional ozone treatments for eliminating stubborn odors like cigarette smoke and curry, and why it's the safest non-toxic option for residential and commercial spaces. We also uncover the fascinating technology of Germ Shield, a permanent, spike-based antimicrobial that uses physics to kill 99.9% of germs, mold, and viruses on contact, offering a superior alternative to traditional disinfectants. Understand the science that is making homes, vehicles, and facilities safer and cleaner.

    33 min

  7. 23/12/2025

    From Employee to Entrepreneur: How Michael Shafer Built a Commercial Janitorial Powerhouse

    Michael Shafer, founder of Schafer Facility Solutions, shares the pivotal moment he left a secure corporate job to launch his own commercial janitorial company. Dive into his story of taking a major risk, securing a foundational client, and the biggest lessons learned in the first two years of building a quality-focused service business in a high-turnover industry.

    24 min

  8. 15/12/2025

    Proactive Tree Care: Saving Your Ash Trees from the Emerald Ash Borer

    The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is responsible for the "genocide" of over 200 million ash trees across North America. Many homeowners and property managers mistakenly believe that once a tree is infested, it's too late, leading to costly removals that can run into thousands of dollars. In this episode, we speak with Kenneth Anderson, founder of Ash Tree Care, who reveals the truth: treatment is highly effective and surprisingly affordable. Kenneth shares the critical signs of EAB infestation to look for, explains why proactive treatment is always better than reactive removal, and discusses his innovative business model that uses technology (including AI) to make tree preservation simple and accessible for everyone.

    26 min

  9. 04/12/2025

    From Leap to Leader: High-Stakes Facility Management in Healthcare with Stage2FM

    Welcome back to Facility Forward! In this episode, we sit down with Adam Thordarson, founder of Stage 2 Facility Management, to dive into the challenging, high-stakes niche of managing facilities in healthcare and other highly sensitive environments. Adam shares the unique blend of personal interest and professional drive that led him to focus on complex technical systems, compliance, and the profound meaning found in serving environments critical to community well-being. In this episode, you will learn about: The High Stakes: Discover the critical challenges in managing facilities like surgery centers.Entrepreneurial Leap: Hear Adam's journey from building his professional network and credentials over eight years to finally taking the "uncomfortable" jump to start his own company.The Power of Network: Adam emphasizes the invaluable support of connecting with other entrepreneurs to navigate the emotional and operational roller coaster of a startup's first year.Success in Critical Projects: Adam recounts a major success story: project managing a complete HVAC controls overhaul for a surgery center with zero operational shutdowns.Scaling and Technology: Adam discusses his scaling strategy, focusing on securing new contracts and building a company culture centered on continuous training and growth. Connect with Adam Thordarson and Stage 2 Facility Management: https://stage2fm.com/

    28 min

  10. 21/11/2025

    The 90% Pivot: Medina Lawn Care’s Blueprint for Commercial Growth and Operational Excellence

    In this episode of Facility Forward, we speak with Carlos Mandana, the current owner of Medina Lawn Care, a company founded by his father in 1967. Carlos shares the incredible story of how he strategically navigated a massive market shift, moving the company from 100% residential to over 90% commercial clientele. Carlos dives deep into the philosophy and systems that allowed him to secure major public contracts, including the Lincoln Park Zoo, and maintain client loyalty in a highly competitive industry. In this episode, you will learn: The Strategic Pivot: The catalyst behind moving from residential to commercial, and the innovative steps taken to win large contracts (including the controversial but effective introduction of fuel and disposal charges 15 years ago).Operational Excellence: The "No Problems, Only Solutions" mindset that drives client retention and accountability throughout the company.Unique Employee Incentives: Carlos reveals his unique strategies for retaining long-term employees, including incentives tied to complaint-free routes and fostering an ownership mentality.Embracing the Future: How a long-established company is leveraging AI for route optimization, administrative efficiency, and cost reduction, proving that tradition and technology can successfully coexist.If you are a facility service founder looking to scale, secure larger contracts, and build a resilient, multi-generational business, this episode is a must-listen.

    28 min

  11. 20/11/2025

    The Clean Go Pivot: How to Future-Proof Your Facility Service Business

    In this episode of Facility Forward, we sit down with Roman Peysakhovich, the visionary founder of Clean Go, a service company that has successfully scaled its commercial cleaning operations to over 25 major cities. Roman shares the non-obvious strategies behind their hyper-growth, focusing not just on market expansion, but on building a resilient, adaptable business model that can survive critical pivots—including the challenges faced during COVID-19. In this episode, you will learn: The Adaptability Imperative: Why quick response to market shifts and resilience are more important than rigid planning when scaling a service business nationally.Tech-Enabled, Not Tech-Replaced: How Clean Go built a proprietary, cloud-based technology platform that streamlines client booking and communication, all while preserving their core commitment to a personal, high-touch customer experience.The Power of Partnerships: Roman details their strategy for integrating with national brands and property management companies to drive revenue growth and deepen client integration across multiple cities.Operational Transparency: How their technology platform provides clients with seamless service delivery and real-time operational transparency, improving engagement and trust.If you are a facility service founder looking to move beyond local markets and build a technologically advanced, yet deeply human, service empire, this episode is your blueprint.

    20 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

The essential guide for commercial facility service founders. We dive deep into the business stories, systems, and strategies of industry leaders—exploring their biggest successes, critical failures, and the exact AI and automation tools they use to eliminate administrative friction and scale their business profitably. Learn from the best how to build a resilient, high-efficiency service empire.

Information

  • Creator
    Natalie Kayiwa
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Facility Forward
  • Show Website
    Facility Forward