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 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.
Thursday Nov 24, 2022
Thursday Nov 24, 2022
Talking about Hitting the VAT threshold for domestic cleaning businesses. Louise and Diane share their experiences and the best way for a cleaning business to thrive as they register for VAT.
Tuesday Nov 22, 2022
Tuesday Nov 22, 2022
In this episode, Diane and Louise discuss how they handle different team challenges in their cleaning businesses, from fake sickness absence to whinging, learning that not only is it all Louise's fault, but also that it is much easier to face these problems by learning to deal with each challenge in a systematic way.
Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
On this podcast, Louise and Diane are joined by James Fitzpatrick from AL Scrubz to talk about his business and why he signed up to be a judge for the upcoming Domestic Cleaning Industry Awards.
NOMINATE YOURSELF: https://dcbn.org.uk/awards/
Thursday Nov 03, 2022
Thursday Nov 03, 2022
On this podcast, Louise and Diane are joined by Beckie Kelsey from Bath Specialist Cleaning Solutions to talk about her business and why she signed up to be a judge for the upcoming Domestic Cleaning Industry Awards.
NOMINATE YOURSELF: https://dcbn.org.uk/awards/
Wednesday Nov 02, 2022
Wednesday Nov 02, 2022
On this podcast, Louise and Diane are joined by Keith Hennebelle from MBT Property Management to talk about his business and why he signed up to be a judge for the upcoming Domestic Cleaning Industry Awards.
NOMINATE YOURSELF: https://dcbn.org.uk/awards/
Thursday Oct 27, 2022
Thursday Oct 27, 2022
On this weeks podcast episode, Louise & Diane chat about the perfect bathroom clean & how to train your staff to achieve it too!
Thursday Oct 20, 2022
Thursday Oct 20, 2022
On this week's podcast, Louise and Diane talk about their upcoming Learn to Clean Safely Workshop on Sunday 23rd October.
If you would like to join us - entirely FREE of charge - book in via the DCBN website: https://dcbn.org.uk/event/learntocleansafely/
We can't wait to see you there!