Cleaning Business Life

Shannon Miller & Jamie Runco

🎙 Cleaning Business Life  Cleaning Business Life is a podcast for cleaning business owners who want more than tactics — they want clarity. Hosted by industry leaders Shannon Miller and Jamie Runco, this show explores the real decisions behind building a sustainable, profitable cleaning company: pricing, leadership, systems, boundaries, and growth without burnout. This isn’t a beginner podcast.  It’s for owners and operators who are already in the business and ready to think differently about how they run it. If you’re tired of noise, hustle culture, and surface-level advice — and you want grounded conversations rooted in real industry experience — you’re in the right place. Want to get a hold of us? Please email us at cleaningbusinesslife@gmail.com

  1. 3H AGO

    CBL EP 161-Phase 3: The Builder — Getting the Business Out of Your Head

    This podcast is powered by Klean Freaks University.com — where real cleaners build real empires. From mop buckets to million-dollar systems, we teach you how to clean smarter, lead stronger, and scale faster. 📂 Klean Freaks University — Documents & Resources Shannon mentioned leaving helpful documents and tools in the show notes for listeners who want to start getting systems out of their head and onto paper. 👉 https://kleanfreaksuniversity.com (Includes templates, policies, and educational resources for cleaning business owners.) 🧰 Tools & Platforms Referenced These tools were mentioned as examples of where systems can live once they’re documented: Connecteam – Team communication, training, and HR documentationJobber – CRM and scheduling software for service businessesClickUp – Task and process management(No affiliation — mentioned for educational context.) 📘 Industry Training Referenced Speed Cleaning Method — Originally developed by Jeff Campbell and expanded by Debbie Sardone 📝 Topics Discussed (for Listener Reference) SOPs / Playbooks / Micro-systemsCancellation policies & show-up feesMedia release forms (employees & clients)Pricing clarity and scope controlRemoving decision fatigue through systems🧠 Listener Takeaway If something keeps happening in your business, it’s not a “you” problem — it’s a system waiting to be built. Here is the link to apply for the scholarship https://forms.gle/c122YU6oNRG7Tic19 Erica Paynter is the brains behind My Virtual Bookkeeper, a bookkeeping firm for cleaning companies, and the creator of Clean Co. Cash Flow Academy and the Clean Co. Collective. She’s on a mission to help cleaning business owners make sense of their numbers without boring them to tears! Erica’s all about turning messy books into profit-packed powerhouses.  support@myvbk.com  Support the show Thanks for tuning in to Cleaning Business Life, the show where we pull back the curtain on what it really takes to start, grow, and scale a thriving cleaning business without burning out. Every episode is packed with tips, stories, and strategies you can put to work right away—because you deserve a business that works for you, not the other way around. If you enjoyed today’s episode, make sure to follow the podcast so you never miss a new release. And if you got value from this conversation, share it with another cleaning business owner who could use the encouragement and practical advice. Let’s stay connected! You can find me online at: 📌 Facebook: facebook.com/themaidsnetwork 📌 Instagram: instagram.com/kleanfreaksuniversity 📌 YouTube: youtube.com/@kleanfreakstv 📌 Website: kleanfreaksuniversity.com Want to go deeper? Join the Maid to Prosper membership inside Klean Freaks University and get access to my library of 55+ courses, live coaching, and the support you need to build your dream business. Visit kleanfreaksuniversity.com to learn more. Until next time—keep showing up, keep sh...

    43 min
  2. 3D AGO

    CBL EP 160 V2: The Awakening — Red Flags, Green Flags & Why Cleaners Need Teeth

    This podcast is powered by Klean Freaks University.com — where real cleaners build real empires. From mop buckets to million-dollar systems, we teach you how to clean smarter, lead stronger, and scale faster. 5 Versions of Entrepreneurship Episode 2: Red Flags, Green Flags & Why Cleaners Need Teeth — Not Hope If you’ve ever left a cleaning job feeling frustrated, resentful, or underpaid, this episode is for you. In Episode 2 of Cleaning Business Life, we’re talking about the difference between clients who grow your business and clients who quietly drain it — and why most burnout in the cleaning industry has nothing to do with cleaning at all. This is a real conversation about boundaries, behaviors, and leadership — not blame, guilt, or hustle culture. In this episode, we cover: What client red flags actually look like in real lifeWhy “since you’re already here…” is never just a small askThe behaviors that signal a green flag clientHow ignoring early warning signs leads to burnoutWhy policies without enforcement don’t workThe role language and scripts play in protecting your time and profitHow to stop over-explaining and start leading with confidence Here is the link to apply for the scholarship https://forms.gle/c122YU6oNRG7Tic19 Erica Paynter is the brains behind My Virtual Bookkeeper, a bookkeeping firm for cleaning companies, and the creator of Clean Co. Cash Flow Academy and the Clean Co. Collective. She’s on a mission to help cleaning business owners make sense of their numbers without boring them to tears! Erica’s all about turning messy books into profit-packed powerhouses.  support@myvbk.com  Support the show Thanks for tuning in to Cleaning Business Life, the show where we pull back the curtain on what it really takes to start, grow, and scale a thriving cleaning business without burning out. Every episode is packed with tips, stories, and strategies you can put to work right away—because you deserve a business that works for you, not the other way around. If you enjoyed today’s episode, make sure to follow the podcast so you never miss a new release. And if you got value from this conversation, share it with another cleaning business owner who could use the encouragement and practical advice. Let’s stay connected! You can find me online at: 📌 Facebook: facebook.com/themaidsnetwork 📌 Instagram: instagram.com/kleanfreaksuniversity 📌 YouTube: youtube.com/@kleanfreakstv 📌 Website: kleanfreaksuniversity.com Want to go deeper? Join the Maid to Prosper membership inside Klean Freaks University and get access to my library of 55+ courses, live coaching, and the support you need to build your dream business. Visit kleanfreaksuniversity.com to learn more. Until next time—keep showing up, keep sh...

    52 min
  3. JAN 7

    CBL EP 159 V1-Stop People Pleasing, Start Leading

    This podcast is powered by Klean Freaks University.com — where real cleaners build real empires. From mop buckets to million-dollar systems, we teach you how to clean smarter, lead stronger, and scale faster. The 5 Versions of You came from a realization I had after years of building businesses, burning out, rebuilding, and repeating the cycle. I kept noticing that the hardest parts weren’t just about systems or strategy—they were about who I was being at each stage. This series is made up of five episodes, each one focused on a distinct version most service-based business owners grow through as they move from doing everything themselves to leading with clarity and confidence. Each episode also has a companion book available on Amazon, written to go deeper into the mindset, beliefs, and identity shifts that show up at each stage. In this series, we’ll cover: Version One – The Do-Everything OwnerVersion Two – The AwakeningVersion Three – The BuilderVersion Four – The LeaderVersion Five – The Visionary CEOIf you feel like you’re in between versions right now—no longer who you were, but not quite who you’re becoming—you’re in the right place. Here is the link to apply for the scholarship https://forms.gle/c122YU6oNRG7Tic19 Support the show Thanks for tuning in to Cleaning Business Life, the show where we pull back the curtain on what it really takes to start, grow, and scale a thriving cleaning business without burning out. Every episode is packed with tips, stories, and strategies you can put to work right away—because you deserve a business that works for you, not the other way around. If you enjoyed today’s episode, make sure to follow the podcast so you never miss a new release. And if you got value from this conversation, share it with another cleaning business owner who could use the encouragement and practical advice. Let’s stay connected! You can find me online at: 📌 Facebook: facebook.com/themaidsnetwork 📌 Instagram: instagram.com/kleanfreaksuniversity 📌 YouTube: youtube.com/@kleanfreakstv 📌 Website: kleanfreaksuniversity.com Want to go deeper? Join the Maid to Prosper membership inside Klean Freaks University and get access to my library of 55+ courses, live coaching, and the support you need to build your dream business. Visit kleanfreaksuniversity.com to learn more. Until next time—keep showing up, keep sh...

    30 min
  4. JAN 3

    CBL EP 158 The Human Touch: Why Connection Still Wins in a Tech-Driven Cleaning Business

    This podcast is powered by Klean Freaks University.com — where real cleaners build real empires. From mop buckets to million-dollar systems, we teach you how to clean smarter, lead stronger, and scale faster. Automation can’t replace trust. In this episode, Shannon Miller explains why the human touch still wins in sales, service, and client relationships—especially in the cleaning industry. Complete show notes here: https://kleanfreaksuniversity.com/ Support the show Thanks for tuning in to Cleaning Business Life, the show where we pull back the curtain on what it really takes to start, grow, and scale a thriving cleaning business without burning out. Every episode is packed with tips, stories, and strategies you can put to work right away—because you deserve a business that works for you, not the other way around. If you enjoyed today’s episode, make sure to follow the podcast so you never miss a new release. And if you got value from this conversation, share it with another cleaning business owner who could use the encouragement and practical advice. Let’s stay connected! You can find me online at: 📌 Facebook: facebook.com/themaidsnetwork 📌 Instagram: instagram.com/kleanfreaksuniversity 📌 YouTube: youtube.com/@kleanfreakstv 📌 Website: kleanfreaksuniversity.com Want to go deeper? Join the Maid to Prosper membership inside Klean Freaks University and get access to my library of 55+ courses, live coaching, and the support you need to build your dream business. Visit kleanfreaksuniversity.com to learn more. Until next time—keep showing up, keep sh...

    24 min
  5. 12/31/2025

    CBL EP 157 2025 Reflection's

    This podcast is powered by Klean Freaks University.com — where real cleaners build real empires. From mop buckets to million-dollar systems, we teach you how to clean smarter, lead stronger, and scale faster. In this reflection episode, Shannon revisits the real stories that shook the cleaning industry in 2025 — including the Maria Perez tragedy, the $20 hush money assault case, and the Heather Nelson checkbook theft — and unpacks what they taught us about safety, responsibility, and leadership. She also shares publicly for the first time that Maid-Broker gifted 62 free cleanings this year — and why integrity, boundaries, and protection matter now more than ever. This is not about fear — it’s about standards, systems, and building our industry the right way. If you believe cleaning work deserves respect, safety, and accountability, this conversation is for you.  🎧 Episode 143 — The Maria Perez Story  🎧 Episode 151 — Maria Perez Pt. 2  🎧 Episode 107 — Predator & $20 Hush Money  🎧 Episode 99 — Heather Nelson Theft Case Support the show Thanks for tuning in to Cleaning Business Life, the show where we pull back the curtain on what it really takes to start, grow, and scale a thriving cleaning business without burning out. Every episode is packed with tips, stories, and strategies you can put to work right away—because you deserve a business that works for you, not the other way around. If you enjoyed today’s episode, make sure to follow the podcast so you never miss a new release. And if you got value from this conversation, share it with another cleaning business owner who could use the encouragement and practical advice. Let’s stay connected! You can find me online at: 📌 Facebook: facebook.com/themaidsnetwork 📌 Instagram: instagram.com/kleanfreaksuniversity 📌 YouTube: youtube.com/@kleanfreakstv 📌 Website: kleanfreaksuniversity.com Want to go deeper? Join the Maid to Prosper membership inside Klean Freaks University and get access to my library of 55+ courses, live coaching, and the support you need to build your dream business. Visit kleanfreaksuniversity.com to learn more. Until next time—keep showing up, keep sh...

    10 min
  6. 12/27/2025

    CBL EP #156 House Checks: The System That Protects Your Reputation

    This podcast is powered by Klean Freaks University.com — where real cleaners build real empires. From mop buckets to million-dollar systems, we teach you how to clean smarter, lead stronger, and scale faster. As your cleaning business grows, consistency gets harder — and that’s where house checks come in. In this episode of Cleaning Business Life, Shannon Miller and Miss Jamie break down house checks as a system, not micromanagement. We talk about how walkthroughs protect your reputation, prevent “week-later” complaints, and reinforce quality without creating anxiety for your team. You’ll learn when to use house checks, how often to do them, and why they matter most for one-time cleanings and client retention. Resources and templates mentioned in this episode are available at KleanFreaksUniversity.com. Here is the link to apply for the scholarship https://forms.gle/c122YU6oNRG7Tic19 Erica Paynter is the brains behind My Virtual Bookkeeper, a bookkeeping firm for cleaning companies, and the creator of Clean Co. Cash Flow Academy and the Clean Co. Collective. She’s on a mission to help cleaning business owners make sense of their numbers without boring them to tears! Erica’s all about turning messy books into profit-packed powerhouses.  support@myvbk.com  Support the show Thanks for tuning in to Cleaning Business Life, the show where we pull back the curtain on what it really takes to start, grow, and scale a thriving cleaning business without burning out. Every episode is packed with tips, stories, and strategies you can put to work right away—because you deserve a business that works for you, not the other way around. If you enjoyed today’s episode, make sure to follow the podcast so you never miss a new release. And if you got value from this conversation, share it with another cleaning business owner who could use the encouragement and practical advice. Let’s stay connected! You can find me online at: 📌 Facebook: facebook.com/themaidsnetwork 📌 Instagram: instagram.com/kleanfreaksuniversity 📌 YouTube: youtube.com/@kleanfreakstv 📌 Website: kleanfreaksuniversity.com Want to go deeper? Join the Maid to Prosper membership inside Klean Freaks University and get access to my library of 55+ courses, live coaching, and the support you need to build your dream business. Visit kleanfreaksuniversity.com to learn more. Until next time—keep showing up, keep sh...

    45 min
  7. 12/24/2025

    CBL EP #155-Holiday Boundaries: How to Say No Without Losing Clients

    This podcast is powered by Klean Freaks University.com — where real cleaners build real empires. From mop buckets to million-dollar systems, we teach you how to clean smarter, lead stronger, and scale faster. Here you go — short, clean, Buzzsprout-ready: Holiday Boundaries: How to Say No Without Losing Clients The holidays can turn small client requests into big schedule problems fast. In this episode, Shannon and Jamie break down how to set clear holiday boundaries, protect your schedule, and support your cleaning team — without sounding rude or losing good clients. We talk about common boundary triggers, why “being nice” costs you money, and simple scripts that make saying no easier. If you’re ready to stop letting clients run your business during the busiest season of the year, this episode is for you. Here is the link to apply for the scholarship https://forms.gle/c122YU6oNRG7Tic19 Support the show Thanks for tuning in to Cleaning Business Life, the show where we pull back the curtain on what it really takes to start, grow, and scale a thriving cleaning business without burning out. Every episode is packed with tips, stories, and strategies you can put to work right away—because you deserve a business that works for you, not the other way around. If you enjoyed today’s episode, make sure to follow the podcast so you never miss a new release. And if you got value from this conversation, share it with another cleaning business owner who could use the encouragement and practical advice. Let’s stay connected! You can find me online at: 📌 Facebook: facebook.com/themaidsnetwork 📌 Instagram: instagram.com/kleanfreaksuniversity 📌 YouTube: youtube.com/@kleanfreakstv 📌 Website: kleanfreaksuniversity.com Want to go deeper? Join the Maid to Prosper membership inside Klean Freaks University and get access to my library of 55+ courses, live coaching, and the support you need to build your dream business. Visit kleanfreaksuniversity.com to learn more. Until next time—keep showing up, keep sh...

    26 min
  8. 12/20/2025

    CBL EP #154-Why Waiting to Raise Prices Is Slowly Killing Your Profit (and What to Do Instead)

    This podcast is powered by Klean Freaks University.com — where real cleaners build real empires. From mop buckets to million-dollar systems, we teach you how to clean smarter, lead stronger, and scale faster. In this episode, we break down why waiting to raise your prices quietly kills your profit — even when you’re fully booked. If you’ve been putting off price increases because of the economy, the holidays, or fear of client pushback, this conversation is for you. We talk through how often price increases should happen, what percentage is normal, and why raising everyone at once is one of the fastest ways to lose clients. We also explain why December is one of the best times to raise rates, how pricing connects directly to payroll and rising operating costs, and how to roll out increases without panic or mass cancellations. A special thank you to our sponsor, Erica Paynter of MyVBK.com, for supporting this episode. Price increases aren’t greedy — they’re necessary if you want to protect your profit and build a sustainable cleaning business. Show notes are on my website, kleanfreaksuniversity.com Support the show Thanks for tuning in to Cleaning Business Life, the show where we pull back the curtain on what it really takes to start, grow, and scale a thriving cleaning business without burning out. Every episode is packed with tips, stories, and strategies you can put to work right away—because you deserve a business that works for you, not the other way around. If you enjoyed today’s episode, make sure to follow the podcast so you never miss a new release. And if you got value from this conversation, share it with another cleaning business owner who could use the encouragement and practical advice. Let’s stay connected! You can find me online at: 📌 Facebook: facebook.com/themaidsnetwork 📌 Instagram: instagram.com/kleanfreaksuniversity 📌 YouTube: youtube.com/@kleanfreakstv 📌 Website: kleanfreaksuniversity.com Want to go deeper? Join the Maid to Prosper membership inside Klean Freaks University and get access to my library of 55+ courses, live coaching, and the support you need to build your dream business. Visit kleanfreaksuniversity.com to learn more. Until next time—keep showing up, keep sh...

    28 min
4.8
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

🎙 Cleaning Business Life  Cleaning Business Life is a podcast for cleaning business owners who want more than tactics — they want clarity. Hosted by industry leaders Shannon Miller and Jamie Runco, this show explores the real decisions behind building a sustainable, profitable cleaning company: pricing, leadership, systems, boundaries, and growth without burnout. This isn’t a beginner podcast.  It’s for owners and operators who are already in the business and ready to think differently about how they run it. If you’re tired of noise, hustle culture, and surface-level advice — and you want grounded conversations rooted in real industry experience — you’re in the right place. Want to get a hold of us? Please email us at cleaningbusinesslife@gmail.com

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