Ron Papke’s journey from addiction and homelessness to building a thriving cleaning restoration business is nothing short of inspiring. With just $2,500 and a few lawn mowers, he laid the foundation for what would grow into a million-dollar company specializing in water restoration, mold remediation, air duct cleaning, and more.

What makes Ron’s success stand out is his mastery of organic marketing—achieving massive growth without relying on hefty advertising budgets.

His company’s leap from $500,000 to its first million in revenue came largely from a simple yet powerful strategy: customer yard signs. By placing signs at every job site and leaving them up until a client objected (which almost never happened), he created an unstoppable local presence.

The proof? His business boasts over 700 Google reviews, while his nearest competitor has just 40.

Beyond marketing, Ron’s business approach is full of game-changing strategies. His innovative “scheduling close” technique shifts the focus from price to value by first asking if customers qualify for special discounts (like first responders, teachers, and veterans) before offering time-sensitive pricing incentives. He also requires a $50 deposit on every job, which not only reduces last-minute cancellations but reinforces his company’s professionalism.

Ron is a firm believer that strong communication skills are key to success—so much so that he recommends every business owner join Toastmasters. Not only does it refine public speaking, but it also serves as a powerful networking tool with management-level professionals. He also leans heavily into video marketing, stating, “People trust videos on a whole other level.” His email campaigns are equally strategic, with segmented messaging that tracks engagement to fine-tune follow-ups.

Perhaps one of Ron’s most impactful business practices is how he nurtures relationships with referral sources. Whether it’s insurance agents or property managers, he keeps his business top of mind through thoughtful, memorable gestures—homemade jerky, bottles of liquor that double as constant reminders of his brand, and seasonal gifts that create natural touchpoints throughout the year.

Want to revolutionize your cleaning business? Connect with Ron on Facebook to learn more about his strategies or join his private group for exclusive insights on building a thriving cleaning empire.

This version keeps the energy high, refines the flow, and makes Ron’s strategies even more compelling.

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It can be crowed when trying to figure out who you are going to learn from

Erica Paynter is the brains behind My Virtual Bookkeeper, a bookkeeping firm for cleaning companies, and the creator of Clean Co. Cash Flow Academy and the Clean Co. Collective. She’s on a mission to help cleaning business owners make sense of their numbers without boring them to tears! Erica’s all about turning messy books into profit-packed powerhouses.

support@myvbk.com

Up your cleaning game, join over 6000 Cleaning Business Owners most of whom are located here in the United States.

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Questions? Feel free to reach out!

Shannon Miller: cleaningbusinesslife@gmail.com

Join my FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583362158497744
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIjMz_-9YyiFvNVIgb61iYg

See Shannon's latest courses: www.KleanFreaksUnversity.com

Every cleaning business owner eventually faces the dreaded moment when they must decide whether to keep struggling with a difficult employee or let them go.

This raw, candid conversation dives deep into the realities of employee termination, offering practical wisdom for those agonizing over toxic workplace situations. We have all worked in a toxic environment at one point in our working careers.

We also share the precise warning signs that indicate it's time to part ways with staff members – from the employee who consistently gives "underpaid vibes" complaints to those who damage client relationships through poor communication. The unmistakable red flag?

There is also a reference to Dan Kennedy, ad copy guru, he has a famous saying for when it's time to part ways with a client's that mis behave.

"When you find yourself waking up three mornings in a row thinking about an employee problem. As the saying goes, if they're consuming that much mental space and you're not sleeping together, it's time for them to go."

The cornerstone of successful termination is proper documentation. We walk through exactly what this means: starting with verbal warnings (which you must document in your calendar), followed by written documentation, and finally termination if behaviors don't improve. Without this crucial paper trail, you're vulnerable to unemployment claims that can significantly increase your tax burden.

Beyond the legal considerations, we explore the human elements of termination – conducting the conversation in a public place rather than your home office, ensuring you have a witness present, providing final payment properly documented as "last and final pay," and maintaining the employee's dignity throughout the process. Your approach during these difficult moments not only protects your business legally but preserves your reputation in the community.

Listen for crucial distinctions between handling W-2 employees versus 1099 contractors, state-specific employment laws you must know, and strategies for preventing problem employees from contaminating your entire team culture. Managing staff effectively isn't just about finding great cleaners – it's about creating systems that protect your business when relationships don't work out.

This is not the book that mentions the Dan S Kennedy quote, but it is an interesting topic: https://amzn.to/4ld7Owg or here: https://amzn.to/4iKZp1c

Send us a text

It can be crowed when trying to figure out who you are going to learn from

Erica Paynter is the brains behind My Virtual Bookkeeper, a bookkeeping firm for cleaning companies, and the creator of Clean Co. Cash Flow Academy and the Clean Co. Collective. She’s on a mission to help cleaning business owners make sense of their numbers without boring them to tears! Erica’s all about turning messy books into profit-packed powerhouses.

support@myvbk.com

Up your cleaning game, join over 6000 Cleaning Business Owners most of whom are located here in the United States.

Support the show

Questions? Feel free to reach out!

Shannon Miller: cleaningbusinesslife@gmail.com

Join my FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583362158497744
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIjMz_-9YyiFvNVIgb61iYg

See Shannon's latest courses: www.KleanFreaksUnversity.com

Why Every Cleaning Business Owner Needs a Virtual Assistant (feat. Sidekick Sarah Baker)

Feeling overwhelmed by your endless to-do list? You’re not alone. In this episode of Cleaning Business Life, we sit down with Sarah "Sidekick Sarah" Baker, a virtual assistant who specializes in helping cleaning business owners reclaim their time and scale their operations.

Sarah pulls back the curtain on what a VA actually does—from handling social media, email marketing, and website updates to tackling administrative tasks that drain your time. She explains why outsourcing non-Income Producing Activities (non-IPAs) is the key to unlocking growth in your business.

Why hire a stateside VA like Sarah? Unlike offshore assistants working opposite hours, Sarah prioritizes real-time communication, cultural understanding, and rock-solid organization. She shares her proven systems—from trusty paper planners to digital workflows—to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

Wondering what to delegate first? Sarah suggests starting with tasks that always get pushed to the bottom of your list. Many of her clients began with social media management and were amazed at how much more she could take off their plates.

“Hiring a VA isn’t just an expense—it’s an investment in your business growth and mental health.” If you’re ready to stop drowning in admin work and start focusing on revenue-generating activities, this episode is for you!

📌 Connect with Sidekick Sarah:
🔗 Website: https://www.sidekicksarah.com/
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.ganderbaker

🔖 Tags: #CleaningBusiness #VirtualAssistant #SmallBusinessGrowth #Outsourcing #Delegation #CleaningCompanySuccess #WorkSmarterNotHarder #CleaningBusinessLife #SideKickSarah

Send us a text

It can be crowed when trying to figure out who you are going to learn from

Erica Paynter is the brains behind My Virtual Bookkeeper, a bookkeeping firm for cleaning companies, and the creator of Clean Co. Cash Flow Academy and the Clean Co. Collective. She’s on a mission to help cleaning business owners make sense of their numbers without boring them to tears! Erica’s all about turning messy books into profit-packed powerhouses.

support@myvbk.com

Up your cleaning game, join over 6000 Cleaning Business Owners most of whom are located here in the United States.

Support the show

Questions? Feel free to reach out!

Shannon Miller: cleaningbusinesslife@gmail.com

Join my FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583362158497744
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIjMz_-9YyiFvNVIgb61iYg

See Shannon's latest courses: www.KleanFreaksUnversity.com