Confessions of a Cleaning Business Owner
Confessions of a Cleaning Business Owner is the straight-talking podcast for domestic cleaning business owners who want real-world advice, not fluff.
Hosted by Louise Trehearn and Diane Greenwood, each episode dives into the wins, mistakes, awkward moments, and behind-the-scenes realities of running a cleaning business—especially the parts no one warns you about when you start. If you’ve ever felt like you’re figuring it out as you go (while juggling customers, staff, cash flow, and a never-ending to-do list), you’re in the right place.
This show is built for owners at every stage: from solo cleaners who want more stability and better clients, to growing teams who need stronger systems, clearer leadership, and a business that doesn’t rely on the owner doing everything. Louise and Diane bring a practical, no-nonsense perspective shaped by years in the industry—so you’ll hear what actually works, what doesn’t, and how to make smarter decisions faster.
Expect honest conversations about the topics that matter most: pricing and profitability, customer boundaries, hiring and managing staff, training and quality control, scheduling and operations, handling complaints, and building a reputation that keeps your diary full. You’ll also hear about the mindset side of business ownership—confidence, imposter syndrome, people-pleasing, burnout, and the pressure of trying to be the “nice” boss while still running a business that makes money.
What makes Confessions different is the tone: it’s not polished perfection. It’s the kind of conversation you’d have with someone who gets it—someone who understands that cleaning is a professional industry, that standards matter, and that your time and expertise deserve respect.
Whether you’re trying to stop undercharging, tighten up your systems, improve team performance, or feel less alone in the day-to-day chaos, you’ll leave each episode with practical takeaways you can apply immediately.
If you’re ready to build a cleaning business that’s profitable, professional, and sustainable—without losing your sanity—press play and join the conversation.
Listen on:
Episodes
Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
April will see a significant rise in National Minimum Wage and we have increasing Inflation in the UK. In this episode Louise and Diane work with real numbers and look at the costs involved in really running a cleaning business. Warning - there is a lot of figures included in this podcast. It will give you a far better idea of the costs involved and how to set prices.
Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
'Always be recruiting' is drummed into cleaning business owners but what does that recruitment actually involve and what does a good interview look like? Louise Trehearn and Diane Greenwood chat about interviewing and share some current stats of recruiting in the cleaning industry.
Wednesday Feb 08, 2023
Wednesday Feb 08, 2023
Quoting is so much more than just providing a price. This is the cleaner's opportunity to understand the customer and provide a solution that works for everyone. In this episode we talk about pricing, building rapport and how we solve the common problems that arise during quotes.
Sunday Feb 05, 2023
Sunday Feb 05, 2023
On this episode, we talk through practical steps and strategies for transitioning from being a hands-on cleaner to running a successful cleaning business. Whether you're looking to hire your first employee, expand your services, or just improve your business skills, we've got you covered. So join us as we explore the world of cleaning entrepreneurship, and discover how to "get off the tools" and build a thriving business.
Wednesday Jan 25, 2023
Wednesday Jan 25, 2023
In this episode, we have a special guest, Amar, the CEO of Zenmaid, one of the biggest software providers in the cleaning industry. Amar shares his incredible journey from cleaning business owner to CEO, and discusses why the cleaning industry is such a hotbed for growing entrepreneurs. He also reveals the biggest challenge he faced in business so far and how he overcame it. Amar's story is a must-listen for anyone looking to start or grow a cleaning business, or for anyone interested in the power of entrepreneurship. Tune in now to learn from Amar's experience and gain valuable insights into the cleaning industry.
Wednesday Jan 18, 2023
Wednesday Jan 18, 2023
Welcome to "Using AI in your cleaning business" a podcast where we dive into the world of using advanced language models like GPT-3 to revolutionize the cleaning industry. From automating customer service to generating new business ideas and producing risk assessments, we'll be learning how to harness the power of GPT-3 to take their operations to the next level. So join us as we explore the exciting possibilities of chat GPT in the cleaning business.
Wednesday Jan 11, 2023
Wednesday Jan 11, 2023
Diane recently attended a Cleaning Conference in Paris with representatives from countries around Europe and together they discusses the cleaning industries and how government support and regulations are affecting each of them.
We hear about markets where customers are having their cleaning subsidised by the governments and no VAT on domestic cleaning. Diane explores the impact of these revolutionary government policies.
Wednesday Jan 04, 2023
Wednesday Jan 04, 2023
Join hosts Louise and Diane as they review the events of 2022 and make predictions for the upcoming year in the cleaning industry. With a friendly and relaxed style, these two industry experts will keep you informed and entertained. Tune in to stay up to date on the latest news and trends in the world of cleaning.
Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
Christmas for cleaning business owners and the decisions they have to make. It is both fun and tiring in the busiest time of the year so have a listen to get ready for your Christmas cleaning season
Wednesday Nov 30, 2022
Wednesday Nov 30, 2022
Are you struggling to get paid for your work? Are you too busy to get invoices out on time? Listen to this podcast on how Louise and Diane confess what has happened in their businesses over the years.