Ep. 12 - The TRUTH About Hiring Cleaners No One Talks About
Release Date: 11/26/2025
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Ep. 12 - The TRUTH About Hiring Cleaners No One Talks About
The Cleaning Journey
Running a cleaning business is more than systems and schedules — it’s leadership, instincts, boundaries, and learning from the painful moments no one talks about. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Donna Dougherty, founder of Go Green Cleaning Experts, an eco-friendly residential and commercial cleaning business based in Pennsylvania. Donna opens up about the season when cleaning business mistakes, wrong hires, and lack of boundaries nearly pushed her into a breaking point, and how rebuilding her leadership and switching to solo cleaners completely transformed her company. If...
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Ep. 11 - How to Start a Cleaning Business Without These Cleaning Business Mistakes
The Cleaning Journey
How to Start a Cleaning Business Without These Cleaning Business Mistakes Starting a cleaning business is exciting, until the mistakes you don’t even know you’re making start holding you back. In this episode, we break down how to start a cleaning business the right way, so you can avoid the setbacks most new owners struggle with. Whether you're launching a cleaning business start-up, a commercial cleaning business, or starting a cleaning business from scratch, this conversation will help you build a strong foundation before burnout hits. You’ll hear real-world insights from a successful...
info_outlineRunning a cleaning business is more than systems and schedules — it’s leadership, instincts, boundaries, and learning from the painful moments no one talks about. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Donna Dougherty, founder of Go Green Cleaning Experts, an eco-friendly residential and commercial cleaning business based in Pennsylvania. Donna opens up about the season when cleaning business mistakes, wrong hires, and lack of boundaries nearly pushed her into a breaking point, and how rebuilding her leadership and switching to solo cleaners completely transformed her company.
If you’re in a cleaning business start-up phase, starting cleaning business operations, or learning how to start a cleaning business without repeating costly patterns, this conversation gives you real insight. Donna shares what she looks for when hiring cleaners, the red flags she ignored, the shift from teams to solos, and the systems for cleaning companies that finally brought stability. Whether you’re growing a cleaning service business, building an automated cleaning business, or searching for a cleaning mentor or cleaning coach to guide you through leadership challenges, this episode offers real, human lessons beyond typical tips for starting a cleaning business.
We also talk about the emotional cost of starting a cleaning business, surviving setbacks, protecting your business legally, trusting your instincts, and rebuilding confidence when people tried to take advantage of her company. If you're navigating cleaning business sales, growing a commercial cleaning business or ommercial cleaning business division, or leading a team while maintaining your values, you won’t want to miss this episode.
Meet Donna Dougherty — Go Green Cleaning Experts
Website: www.gogreencleaningexperts.com
Eco-friendly product line: https://ecoglowrefresh.com
Instagram: @gogreencleaning
Facebook: Go Green Cleaning Experts
YouTube: Go Green Cleaning Experts
TikTok: @ecoglowgogreencleaning
⏳ Timestamps
00:00 – Rapid Fire: Hiring, Systems & Leadership
00:58 – Donna’s Story: How She Got Into the Cleaning Industry
10:08 – From Chaos to Systems: Software That Changed Her Business
12:08 – Switching From Team Cleaning to Solo Cleaning (And Why It Works)
19:01 – Mentorship, Growth & Scaling With Intention
20:26 – How Donna Hires: What She Looks For & Red Flags
27:27 – Onboarding & Training New Cleaners the Right Way
31:58 – Performance Reviews, Accountability & Quality Control
34:10 – Retaining Top Cleaners & Building a Healthy Culture
38:00 – Almost Burning Out: Leadership Mistakes & Rebuilding
48:03 – Using Virtual Assistants (VAs) & The $600/Month Contract Lesson
56:48 – Biggest Leadership & Faith-Based Lessons for Cleaning Owners
1:02:09 – Green Cleaning, Health & Donna’s Cleaning Books
1:10:10 – Final Advice for Cleaning Business Owners + CTA
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