In Episode 202, we sit down with Domingo Cruz, President of the Englewood Chamber of Commerce and Founder of Rooted 303, a community-driven nonprofit helping people reclaim their lives from addiction, mental health struggles, and generational challenges.

Domingo shares his powerful personal story—growing up in deep poverty and addiction, and how a life-changing mentorship moment with a 14-year-old kid shifted the entire trajectory of his life. From corporate America to faith to launching Rooted 303, Domingo’s journey is a blueprint for leaders who want to build impact-driven organizations.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• ✅ Why mental health and substance recovery need more community-based solutions
• ✅ How Rooted 303 helps people reclaim their lives through coaching, counseling & support groups
• ✅ The truth about the homelessness and addiction crisis (and why housing alone isn’t the solution)
• ✅ How businesses can get involved and make an impact through partnerships & sponsorships
• ✅ Why joining your local Chamber of Commerce can accelerate growth, visibility, and relationships

Domingo’s story is not just about recovery, it’s about leadership, community, and building organizations that last.

👉 Learn more about Rooted 303 and get involved: https://rooted303.org/

📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon so you don’t miss future episodes!

⏱️ Timestamps

• 04:00 From Poverty & Addiction to Purpose
• 15:00 Rooted 303: Helping People Reclaim Their Lives
• 25:00 The Truth About Homelessness & Addiction
• 45:00 Parenting, Faith & Generational Challenges
• 01:10:00 Chambers of Commerce & Networking for Business Growth
• 01:40:00 Leadership, Self-Care & Protecting Mental Health

🎟 New Event Coming Soon

We’re leveling up. Our next live event is in February 2026 in Dallas, TX. Stay tuned for the exact date and registration link. The room will be full of leaders you want to learn from.

Don't miss it ➡ Join the Waitlist: https://www.profitablecleaner.com/contact-us

🔗 Explore More:

• Sales Masterclass Episode → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgTHnMpmyFA
• Join the Profit Advisory Board (Our Business Growth Community) → https://advisoryboard.profitablecleaner.com/

💼 Our Trusted Partners:

• ✅ uSource: All-in-one hub for the facility maintenance industry – Start Free Trial
• ✅ Team Engine: Hire, communicate, and manage your workforce – Learn More
• ✅ Swept: Janitorial software that scales with you – Check It Out

🙌🏼 Join Our Community:

• 🚀 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitablecleaner/
• 📈 Join to be a member to our Profit Advisory Board (Business Growth Community): https://advisoryboard.profitablecle

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Launching a new contract or starting your cleaning business? This episode is a MUST.

Your hosts Mark Anderson, Sharon Cowan CBSE, and Ed Selkow break down real-world startup systems that can either make you profitable fast—or bury you in losses. Whether you're bidding your first building or onboarding a 50,000 sq ft facility, the principles in this episode are universal.

From staffing and supply planning to the critical “first night checklist,” you'll hear the brutal lessons and genius strategies only 100+ years of industry experience can provide.

🔑 What You’ll Learn:

• ✅Why most cleaning startups lose money fast
• ✅How to plan labor routes to protect profits
• ✅The secret to impressing clients on day one
• ✅What to say (and not say) after a new start
• ✅How “five minutes” of wasted time kills margins

🧠 This Episode Is For:

• Cleaning company founders and operators
• Janitorial teams onboarding new accounts
• Franchise owners looking to improve startup playbooks
• Anyone who’s ever lost a client from a bad launch

🕒 Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 – Welcome + why this topic matters
• 02:00 – How Sharon blew labor on her first job (and what she fixed)
• 04:00 – Planning for no-shows and first-week chaos
• 06:00 – The 30-day pre-start plan that builds trust
• 10:00 – The power of route maps and cleaning runs
• 14:00 – Real stories of failed startups (and fixes that saved them)
• 18:00 – How to go from new account to profit in under 45 days
• 22:00 – Final tips: Don’t plan to fail
  
  
  

🧠 Resources:

• ➡️ Catch up on previous episodes of Polishing Profits here:
• The Profitable Cleaner Network - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKiuPQwwn4m9gWk0lBbzKVg5LwhwErhwn

🔗 Where to Find Your Hosts

• Sharon Cowan, CBSE – LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram
• Mark Anderson – LinkedIn
• Ed Selkow – Facebook

About Polishing Profits

Polishing Profits is hosted by three of the most respected leaders in the janitorial industry—Mark Anderson, Sharon Cowan, and Ed Selkow. With over 140 years of combined experience, they’ve built and scaled cleaning companies, coached hundreds of owners, and helped countless teams grow stronger.

Every episode delivers real stories, actionable strategies, and tools to build a cleaning business that thrives.

Produced by The Profitable Cleaner Network.

Text Our Community JOIN today

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💡 Negotiation isn’t just for boardrooms - it’s a daily skill that can change your business and your life.

In Episode 201 of The Profitable Cleaner, we sit down with Heather DeSiena - a strategic sales leader, keynote speaker, and corporate trainer with 13+ years of experience in cybersecurity, leadership, and coaching. From her early days as a news anchor to becoming a sought-after negotiation expert, Heather shares how to navigate high-stakes deals, avoid burnout, and build a career with integrity and purpose.

Whether you’re a CEO, sales professional, or just looking to advocate for yourself better, this episode delivers actionable strategies you can apply immediately.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• ✅ How to approach negotiation as a win-win - not a battle.
• ✅ Why burnout is real, and the “maintenance vs. growth” mindset you need to recover.
• ✅ The role of integrity and network in long-term business success.
• ✅ Practical ways to ask better questions and get better results in sales.
• ✅ How to identify and connect with the right mentors at the right stage of your career.

⏱ Episode Breakdown:

• 00:00 - Introduction & Heather’s career journey
• 06:30 - Why negotiation is for everyone, not just “dealmakers”
• 13:45 - Asking better questions & becoming a better listener
• 20:15 - Burnout, nervous system health & the power of rest
• 28:40 - Maintenance vs. growth in business and life
• 34:15 - Why your network is your safety net
• 40:25 - Women in leadership and wage gap realities
• 48:50 - Mentorship, finding the right people, and avoiding bad influence
• 56:20 - The importance of integrity in business
• 1:02:10 - Heather’s personal goals & what’s next

🎟New Event Coming Soon

We’re leveling up. Our next live event is in February 2026 in Dallas, TX. Stay tuned for the exact date and registration link. The room will be full of leaders you want to learn from. Don't miss it. ➡ Join the Waitlist

Connect with Heather DeSiena:

• 🔗 LinkedIn: Heather DeSiena
• 🌐 Website: HeatherDeSiena.com
• 📸 Instagram: @heatherdesiena

🔗 Explore More:

• Sales Masterclass Episode → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgTHnMpmyFA
• Join the Profit Advisory Board (Our Business Growth Community) → https://advisoryboard.profitablecleaner.com/

💼 Our Trusted Partners:

• ✅ uSource: All-in-one hub for the facility maintenance industry – Start Free Trial
• ✅ Team Engine: Hire, communicate, and manage your workforce – Learn More
• ✅ Swept: Janitorial software that scales with you – Check It Out

🙌🏼 Join Our Community:

• 🚀 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitablecleaner/
• 📈

Text Our Community JOIN today

Support the show