The Profitable Cleaner - DayPorter.com

Launching a new contract or starting your cleaning business? This episode is a MUST.Your hosts Mark Anderson, Sharon Cowan CBSE, and Ed Selkow break down real-world startup systems that can either make you profitable fast—or bury you in losses. Whether you're bidding your first building or onboarding a 50,000 sq ft facility, the principles in this episode are universal.From staffing and supply planning to the critical “first night checklist,” you'll hear the brutal lessons and genius strategies only 100+ years of industry experience can provide.

This is our 200th episode.  And in this solo episode, host James Harper reflects on the 10 most powerful lessons learned from interviewing the top leaders in the janitorial industry. Whether you've listened to one episode or all 200, this is the one to revisit if you want clarity, direction, and real wisdom.From faith-driven leadership to knowing your numbers, James breaks down the mindset, habits, and strategies of the most successful cleaning company owners he's met. This episode is packed with practical takeaways to help you grow your business and your impact.

If you've ever lost a contract, underbid a job, or made a costly mistake in your cleaning business — this episode is for you.In Episode #12 of Polishing Profits, industry veterans Mark Anderson, Sharon Cowan CBSE, and Ed Selkow reveal their most painful failures and exactly how they turned those lessons into long-term success. From ruined French doors to $1.5M in debt — nothing is off-limits.

This episode is all about what actually works when it comes to sales in the commercial cleaning industry.Host James Harper just spent a full week on the ground with a $18M cleaning company as they launched a new market - and what he saw changed the game.From how they book walkthroughs to how they do cold walk-ins and follow-up, this episode breaks down a proven playbook that you can start using today—even if you're just getting started.

Lets talk about “Guerrilla Management”: How to Think Differently and Win in BusinessIn this eye-opening episode, your hosts Mark Anderson, Sharon Cowan CBSE, and Ed Selkow, dive into the mindset behind Guerrilla Management — the art of solving business problems by stepping outside traditional systems and building smarter, more flexible teams.From empowering front-line supervisors to pivoting your org structure, you'll hear real stories of unconventional decision-making that led to higher profits, lower turnover, and better service.

What does it really take to scale a cleaning business past $20M—and keep evolving while you do it?In this episode of The Profitable Cleaner Podcast, we sit down with Ricky Regalado—founder of Rozalado Services, Route, and Cleaning & Cocktails—to unpack the mindset, systems, and strategy that got him here.From the early days cleaning franchise accounts with no license, to building a 650+ person team across 30+ states, Ricky shares the hard truths about reinvention, leadership, and scaling in an ever-changing industry.

Restaurant Cleaning: Hidden Profits or Guaranteed Headaches?Your hosts Mark Anderson, Sharon Cowan CBSE, and Ed Selkow tackle one of the most controversial topics in commercial cleaning: Should you take on restaurant cleaning contracts?In this episode of Polishing Profits, the team shares real stories and hard lessons from decades cleaning everything from greasy spoons to 5-star hotel kitchens.You'll discover: ✅ Why restaurants are the easiest accounts to land—and the hardest to keep profitable ✅ The dirty secrets behind restaurant cleaning margins ✅ How to avoid the common traps that drain time, cash, and sanity ✅ When restaurants make sense for a new cleaning business ✅ What to consider before you sign your first restaurant contractWhether you're a startup janitorial company or a seasoned operator, this episode will help you decide if chasing restaurant dollars is worth the grind.

This week, we're flipping the script.In this unique episode of The Profitable Cleaner Podcast, James Harper isn't hosting—he's the guest. Originally recorded on Dan and Lexi Schindler's show, The Cleaning Hustle Podcast, we're bringing you this candid conversation because it's packed with lessons you need to hear.From the truth about “cheap labor” VAs to how to create a culture of loyalty, performance, and trust across borders—this conversation is a masterclass in building virtual teams the right way.

Your hosts Mark Anderson, Sharon Cowan CBSE, and Ed Selkow dive into operational efficiency and process improvement in this episode of Polishing Profits.If you think standard operating procedures (SOPs) are only for big companies, think again. Whether you're a solo operator or managing 100 people, clear, documented workflows are the backbone of quality, consistency, and growth.From onboarding and training to inspections and customer follow-ups, SOPs are what keep your company out of the horror stories - and off the client chopping block.

Success in business isn't just about tactics—it's about perspective, resilience, and the mindset you build when everything is on the line.In this episode, James sits down with Danny Keels—janitorial sales leader, Army veteran, and seasoned entrepreneur—to unpack an incredible journey from combat zones in Somalia to closing multi-million dollar contracts in the cleaning industry.Danny shares:The life-changing lessons he learned serving in SomaliaHow military discipline shaped his approach to salesThe power of persistence when clients say “no”Why authentic relationships—not the cheapest bid—win in the long runThe mindset that keeps him grounded as a father, husband, and professionalIf you're in janitorial sales, leadership, or just trying to build a business that lasts, this episode is packed with hard-won insights you won't hear anywhere else.Whether you're scaling past $5M or still landing your first big accounts, this one's for those who refuse to quit.

Most entrepreneurs measure themselves by how much they earn, what they own, or how much they invest. But what happens when your biggest investment goes bad—and you lose almost everything?In this episode, James sits down with Ben Kennedy—a successful personal injury attorney, father, cancer survivor, and business owner—to talk about the mindset it takes to build a fulfilling life that goes beyond dollars.Ben shares powerful lessons on:Losing nearly $100K to fraud (and why he doesn't let it define him)Navigating cancer as a teenager and finding purpose through adversityBuilding trust and transparency in a traditionally “stiff” industryWhy chasing more money can sabotage your joy (and how he let go)The real difference between success and fulfillmentIf you've ever struggled with tying your identity to your income, this conversation will hit home.Whether you're leading a multimillion-dollar cleaning company or just trying to build something that matters, this episode is packed with stories and mindset shifts you won't forget.

Your hosts Mark Anderson, Sharon Cowan CBSE, and Ed Selkow tackle one of the hardest parts of scaling a cleaning company: finding and developing the right manager who truly has your back.Whether you're doing $700K or crossing $3 million in revenue, you'll eventually hit the wall where your existing team just can't take you to the next level. This episode breaks down when to bring in outside leadership, what it really costs, and how to avoid the expensive mistakes so many owners make.

This episode is proof that mindset, hustle, and heart can take you farther than any résumé.In this deeply personal and powerful conversation, James sits down with Jay — a successful entrepreneur, relationship-driven barber, and now cleaning company owner — to unpack how he went from cutting hair in his basement to securing a $300,000 commercial cleaning contract.Whether you're building your janitorial business from the ground up, looking to break into larger contracts, or trying to balance business with family life, this episode will speak to your core.Jay opens up about:Starting with nothing but clippers and a visionThe importance of humility and human connectionWhy mastering relationships beats mastering sales tacticsHow Cleaning Prophets changed everythingThe real mindset that separates dreamers from doers

Your hosts Mark Anderson, Sharon Cowan CBSE, and Ed Selkow dive into the final area of the business planning wheel: Finance. This episode closes out the planning series with clear, actionable insights into how to run your janitorial business by the numbers—without getting overwhelmed.From understanding cash flow and labor costs to learning how to job cost and forecast smarter, this episode will help you get a grip on your numbers—without needing an accounting degree.If you're ready to build a more profitable, cash-flow-conscious cleaning company, this is the episode to bookmark.

If you're a cleaning business owner or blue-collar service pro trying to stand out online, this episode is for you.James sits down with Jeremiah Dalesio, founder of INCITE Productions, to break down how content marketing actually works in B2B and how blue-collar and “non-sexy” industries can create authentic, consistent content that actually drives trust, revenue, and brand awareness.He shares the real reason most marketing fails, how to build content that fits your brand, and the lessons from youth sports that translate into stronger teams, better leadership, and long-term growth.They dive deep into:Why most companies are just blending ingredients instead of plating the full mealHow to create content that actually lands with your clientsWhy consistency and clarity win in content The biggest mistake blue-collar companies make with social mediaWhat it really means to be authentic in your brandingPlus — special shoutout to Jay, who's now leading podcast production for The Profitable Cleaner. If you've noticed our content leveling up… now you know why.Whether you're spending hours in Canva, burning out trying to go viral, or stuck wondering why your content gets no engagement — this one gives you the roadmap.

Your hosts Mark Anderson, Sharon Cowan, CBSE, and Ed Selkow dive into the third pillar of your Business Planning Strategy—Service Delivery—in this high-impact episode of our 4-part series, “Simplify Planning & Boost Results.”If you've ever lost a client over a small mistake, this one's for you.We're breaking down customer satisfaction, employee retention, training systems, quality control, and the one-liner that sums up the entire service game:“One Oh Sh*t erases three Attaboys.”

Success in sales isn't just about strategy — it's about mindset, discipline, and staying grounded in what actually matters.In this episode, James sits down with Brian Reimer, Regional Sales Director in the cybersecurity space (Cato Networks) and long-time enterprise closer, to break down what it really takes to win million-dollar deals without losing yourself in the process.Brian opens up about:His approach to enterprise sales cyclesHow his faith and family keep him anchoredWhy he chose people and purpose over prestigeWhat most reps get wrong about long-term follow-upAnd the real reason your energy matters more than your pitchIf you're trying to close bigger commercial cleaning contracts, stay patient through long sales cycles, or balance personal growth with business pressure — this episode will hit home.Whether you run a $500K company or manage a team of 200, this one's for the leaders playing the long game.

Welcome to Part 2 of our 4-part series: “Simplify Planning & Boost Results.”In this episode, we tackle the two most critical drivers of janitorial growth: marketing and sales. Hosts Mark Anderson, Sharon Cowan, CBSE, and Ed Selkow break down how to use the Planning Wheel framework to evaluate your current efforts, cut what's not working, and strategically plan for more predictable revenue.No more crossing your fingers with marketing or relying on luck for leads. Learn how to take control of your growth engine — and stop outsourcing results you don't understand or can't measure.

In this deeply honest episode, James sits down with commercial and fashion photographer John S. Miller, whose work has appeared in publications like 303 Magazine and Mile High Sports. From leading worship for nearly two decades to launching his own creative business, John opens up about his transition, his faith, and how being a father to a daughter with special needs transformed his entire outlook on work and life.A creative entrepreneur, and former worship pastor who's built a career and life around service, humility, and family. More than tactics or tools, this episode is about the deeper things we rarely talk about in business — identity, ego, burnout, faith, and showing up fully for the people who matter most.Whether you're running a $500K cleaning company or managing a team of 200, this is your reminder to build something that works for your life, not the other way around.

In this first episode of our 3-part series “Simplify Planning & Boost Results,” hosts Mark Anderson, Sharon Cowan, CBSE, and Ed Selkow break down how to create a realistic business plan that helps janitorial companies grow with clarity.No 50-page plans. No MBA jargon. Just a practical planning framework anyone can use — whether you're running a $500K or $10M operation.From goal-setting to budgeting, team capacity to execution, this episode walks you through a simple yet powerful wheel you can use to plan each quarter (and actually stick to it).

In this episode of Polishing Profits, hosts Mark Anderson, Sharon Cowan, CBSE, and Ed Selkow dig into one of the most critical — and underused — tools in the janitorial world: structured customer feedback.If your only customer communication happens when something goes wrong… you're playing defense. This episode will show you how to switch to offense — by creating a feedback system that actually improves service, builds trust, and sets you apart from competitors.From simple walk-throughs and inspection logs to Net Promoter Scores and CRM tools — this is your guide to collecting, responding to, and acting on what your customers are telling you.

In Episode 2 of Polishing Profits, hosts Mark Anderson, Sharon Cowan, CBSE, and Ed Selkow tackle one of the most common problems in the cleaning industry: growing without a plan.Most business owners start by reacting — putting out fires, chasing every opportunity, and hoping to “figure it out” along the way. But growth without strategy is rarely sustainable.This episode shows you how to stop winging it and start building with intention — even if you're running lean.Whether you're a solo operator or a multi-million-dollar company, strategic planning is your competitive edge.

In today's episode of The Profitable Cleaner, I take a deep dive into my Q2 check-in as we reflect on the first 90 days of 2025. We've set ambitious goals for the year, but how are we measuring up? Are the habits, systems, and actions we're taking truly setting us up for long-term success? Tune in as I share my own progress, the hurdles I've faced, and the crucial lessons learned along the way. Plus, I provide insight into what's coming next on the show, with a focus on sales strategies, tools, and operational improvements for the next three weeks!

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In this game-changing episode of The Profitable Cleaner Podcast, we're diving deep into the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in business with two industry leaders: Chris Luna, owner of EBCD Marketing and Sunuv Solar, and Ruben Alvarez, founder of The Marketing Hunters and author of Brand Sharks.Whether you're a cleaning business owner looking to modernize your operations, a marketer aiming to sharpen your strategies, or an entrepreneur ready to embrace the future of AI-driven branding, this episode is packed with actionable insights. From leveraging AI for lead generation and automating client interactions to creating authentic branding that resonates in a crowded market, we cover it all.

In this episode of The Profitable Cleaner Podcast, we are having a heart to heart conversation with our well known co-host, friend, and business partner, Angel Sandoval. Angel recently made the life-changing decision to leave his successful roles as a podcast host and sales trainer to pursue a spiritual calling. His journey to the priesthood has been a profound experience of self-discovery, faith, and letting go of worldly attachments.Join us as Angel shares the steps he's taken to redefine his identity. We dive deep into how faith and purpose shape our sense of self and explore practical exercises for finding what truly matters. This episode will resonate with anyone who has felt the pull to move beyond conventional success and find meaning in something greater.As we say goodbye to Angel for 2025, we send him all our love and appreciation for the many years we've shared together!

In this episode of The Profitable Cleaner Podcast, we bring you exclusive insights from top facility managers on what it takes to win and maintain big contracts in the cleaning industry. Recorded live at the Cleaning Prophets 3.0 event, this special Insight Panel features industry leaders Matt McMullen, Alicia Harper, Marcelo Assaba, and Karen Macwaters. These experts dive deep into vendor management, sustainability, and technology—key topics that every cleaning business owner needs to understand to scale effectively.