Confessions of a Cleaning Business Owner

Dreaming big and planning smart

🎙 Dream Big, Plan Smart: A Business Owner's GuideIn this inspiring episode of Confessions of a Cleaning Business Owner, Louise and Diane dive into the art of combining ambition with practicality. From the power of 90-day planning to the importance of reflecting on past challenges, they share actionable strategies for cleaning business owners and entrepreneurs looking to make 2025 their best year yet. Discover how to set realistic goals, find joy in the journey, and use social media as a learning tool without feeling overwhelmed. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights to help you plan smart and dream big!
✨ Key Takeaways:
Plan for success without sacrificing your sanity.
Learn how to make the most of your limited time.
Balance personal growth with business strategy.
Tune in now and get inspired to conquer your 2025 resolutions

Aldi vs. Waitrose: A Pricing Perspective

Summary In this conversation, Louise and Diane discuss the pricing strategies of cleaning businesses by comparing the supermarket chains Aldi and Waitrose. They emphasise the importance of understanding your target market and how pricing can reflect the quality of service provided. The discussion also touches on marketing strategies, the significance of customer experience, and the implications of choosing a business model that aligns with personal values and lifestyle preferences.
takeaways
Pricing should reflect the quality of service provided.
Understanding your target market is crucial for pricing strategy.
People are willing to pay more for a better experience.
Marketing messages should resonate with the target audience.
Quality of service and reliability are key to customer satisfaction.
The cleaning industry can learn from supermarket pricing strategies.
Aldi and Waitrose represent different business models and customer expectations.
Effective marketing goes beyond just advertisements.
Building a business model that fits your lifestyle is important.
Controversial marketing can attract attention but may not align with brand values.

Get ready for employment law changes in April

In this episode, Louise and Diane discuss the upcoming changes to employment laws set to take effect in April 2025. They explore various aspects of these changes, including eliminating unfair dismissal from day one, introducing the Fair Work Agency to enforce employee rights, and the implications of zero-hour contracts. The conversation also covers flexible working requirements, sick pay regulations, and the responsibilities of employers regarding harassment and maternity leave. The hosts emphasise the need for businesses to adapt to these changes and the potential impact on the cleaning industry.
 
takeaways
The proposed changes to employment laws will significantly impact business owners.
Unfair dismissal will no longer be an option from day one of employment.
The Fair Work Agency will enforce new employment rights more effectively.
Zero-hour contracts will be regulated to prevent exploitation.
Employers must now offer flexibility in working arrangements unless unreasonable.
Sick pay will be available from day one, affecting absence management.
Employers are responsible for preventing third-party harassment.
Maternity leave protections will make it difficult to dismiss employees post-leave.
Fire and rehire practices will incur financial penalties for employers.
Businesses must adapt to these changes to remain compliant and competitive.

Business is a game - How to win

In this episode of Confessions of a Cleaning Business Owner, Diane and Louise dive into the fascinating world of business strategy through the lens of game theory. They explore the concept of treating business as a game, where mindset, trust, and resilience are the keys to success.
From navigating ethical dilemmas to crafting dynamic pricing strategies, this episode unpacks the complex challenges faced by cleaning business owners. Diane and Louise discuss the importance of building trust with clients and employees, adhering to contract law and regulations, and setting personalized business rules to align with customer expectations.
The conversation highlights the significance of strategic decision-making, especially when faced with incomplete information, and how scaling a business requires adaptability and foresight. They also touch on emotional challenges, emphasizing the importance of tenacity, learning from failure, and charging what you’re worth to ensure sustainable growth.
Whether you’re leveling up your cleaning business or navigating the rules of entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with actionable insights and fresh perspectives to help you succeed.
🎧 Tune in to learn how to play—and win—the business game!

Domestic Cleaning industry awards review

In this episode of Confessions of a Cleaning Business Owner, Louise and Diane dive into the highlights and lessons from the recent Domestic Cleaning Business Industry Awards. They explore the journey of transitioning the awards from online to in-person events, emphasizing the power of community support in making such initiatives a success.
The discussion sheds light on the strategic value of participating in industry awards, offering tips on how to craft compelling applications and why nominating yourself is essential for recognition. Diane and Louise also stress the importance of highlighting specific examples in submissions to stand out. Beyond the awards themselves, they celebrate the broader benefits of networking and fostering a sense of belonging within the cleaning industry.
Key takeaways include the business visibility and credibility that come from winning awards and the unique opportunities offered by smaller, more focused events. They also hint at the future direction of the awards, with plans for greater in-person engagement and deeper community building.
If you're looking to elevate your cleaning business through industry recognition and community connection, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiring reflections

Taking cleaning from a hobby to a business

In this episode of Confessions of a Cleaning Business Owner, Louise and Diane explore the transition from cleaning as a hobby to a professional business. They discuss the challenges and realities of running a cleaning business, including client expectations, the physical toll of cleaning, and the importance of valuing one's skills. The conversation emphasizes the need for professional products, the joy of cleaning, and strategies for building a sustainable business while maintaining a work-life balance.

Why December is the worst month of the year for cleaning businesses

🎙️ New Episode Alert: Why Diane Hates December! 🎙️
In this festive-but-frustrating episode of Confessions of a Cleaning Business Owner, Louise and Diane dive into why December can feel more bah humbug than holly jolly for cleaning business owners.
From the financial headache of holiday pay to the seemingly impossible task of recruitment during the holiday season, they break down why this time of year is a perfect storm for stress. (Spoiler: not all industries struggle—some are downright thriving!)
But it’s not all doom and gloom! Diane shares her love for the personal joys of Christmas, even while navigating the business chaos. Louise and Diane get real about the struggles, share some laughs, and highlight the importance of planning smarter for Decembers yet to come.
If you’ve ever felt the December Struggle Bus pull into your business, this episode is for you! 🚎✨

Why your staff training is failing

In this episode of Confessions of a Cleaning Business Owner, Louise Trehearn and Diane Greenwood discuss the common pitfalls in staff training within cleaning businesses. They explore why training often fails, emphasizing the importance of structured training, practical techniques, and creating a positive learning environment. The conversation highlights the need for business owners to invest time and money in training to ensure long-term success and quality service delivery. They also provide practical solutions for improving training processes and the significance of feedback in the training journey.
 
takeaways
Many cleaning business owners struggle with effective staff training.
A lack of structure in training leads to poor outcomes.
Hope is not a strategy for training success.
Investing time and money in training pays off in the long run.
Training should be conducted in a supportive environment, not in front of clients.
Feedback should be timely and constructive to be effective.
Training techniques should include telling, showing, doing, and reviewing.
Assuming everyone knows how to clean can lead to training gaps.
Creating a positive mindset during training is crucial for success.
Improving training processes is essential for the growth of the cleaning industry.

Training CoSHH in a real domestic Setting

In this episode of Confessions of a Cleaning Business Owner, Louise Trehearn and Diane Greenwood delve into the importance of COSHH training in the domestic cleaning sector. They discuss the integration of COSHH principles into practical training, emphasizing the need for understanding safety data sheets, risk assessments, and the real-world application of cleaning techniques. The conversation highlights the dangers of mixing chemicals, the significance of dwell time, and the necessity of informed product selection. The episode concludes with insights on how to effectively train staff and the future of training opportunities in the cleaning industry.

Interview with MBT about starting a business and working together as partners

In this episode of Confessions of a Cleaning Business Owner, Diane chats with Keith and Bex from MBT Property Management about their journey into the cleaning business. They discuss their backgrounds, the challenges they faced in starting and growing their business, and the importance of pricing and outsourcing. Bex shares her initial reluctance towards cleaning, while Keith reflects on his diverse work history. Together, they highlight the evolution of their business and the strategies they implemented to overcome obstacles and achieve success.
In this conversation, Diane shares her journey of running a business, highlighting the multifaceted roles she has to play, the challenges of employee dynamics, and the balance between work and personal relationships. The discussion also touches on future aspirations for their business, the importance of community support, and the launch of their podcast, MBT Unplugged, which aims to provide real insights into the cleaning industry and the entrepreneurial journey.