In this episode of The Business of Cleaning Podcast, host Tim Clagg sits down with Adon Rigg, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Clean Pro Growth Academy, to explore what it truly takes to excel in today’s cleaning industry. From his humble beginnings to becoming a respected industry leader, Adon shares powerful insights on mindset, continuous learning, and building a professional identity in sales. Together, Tim and Adon dive deep into the art of the walkthrough—why it’s the most critical step in winning contracts, how empathy and effective questioning shape client trust, and what every cleaner should capture during site visits to stand out from competitors. Adon also breaks down the changing landscape of janitorial distribution and offers actionable strategies to improve your approach, generate leads, and position your business for growth.
Join host Tim Clagg on The Business of Cleaning Podcast as he sits down with Josh Melton, owner of Athens Cleaning Company and founder of The Six Figure Cleaner.
In this inspiring conversation, Josh reflects on his journey from growing up as a pastor’s kid to building a thriving cleaning business, all while overcoming setbacks and shaping a leadership style rooted in purpose, resilience, and grace.
You’ll hear how Josh navigated challenges like losing 25% of his company’s revenue, why establishing clear core values matters, and how mentorship can transform your growth as both a leader and an entrepreneur.
Whether you’re just starting out or leading an established company, this episode offers actionable insights on building culture, leading with integrity, and discovering your greater purpose in business and life.
👉 Connect with Josh on LinkedIn, Instagram (@strongerjosh), or at sixfigurecleaner.com for more resources.
📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share your thoughts in the comments!
Behind every successful company is a story of courage, change, and purpose. This month on The Business of Cleaning podcast, we welcome an extraordinary guest whose career path took a dramatic-and inspiring-turn.
Shari Cedar began her professional journey in the fast-paced world of television, where she served as an Executive Producer, including work on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Despite the excitement and accolades of the entertainment industry, Shari sought something more permanent and personal-something that could serve her family long-term.
That moment of reflection led Shari and her husband to launch AK Building Services, a commercial cleaning company that has grown to employ over 800 people and serve clients across a broad range of industries. As CEO and Owner, Shari has brought her creativity, leadership skills, and passion for excellence into an industry where those qualities are often overlooked but deeply needed.
A Conversation on Growth, Leadership, and Legacy
In this episode titled "From Prime Time to Clean Time: Shari Cedar’s Journey in Commercial Cleaning", we sit down with Shari to explore:
Shari’s story is not only about changing careers-it’s about redefining success, leading with integrity, and leaving a lasting impact in an essential industry.
In this month’s episode of The Business of Cleaning,we’re joined by Jerry Flug of HRA Consulting Group. Jerry was working in the ministry when family illness forced him to look for new work opportunities. That's when he found the cleaning industry and bought his first company. Jerry walks us through his journey from growing, scaling, and eventually selling his business and becoming a business coach helping commercial cleaning companies grow.
Mario Kelly, a 5th-generation Detroiter and Owner of Believe313 Cleaning, went from being homeless-with just $27 worth of cleaning supplies-to building a million-dollar cleaning company. In this powerful episode he discusses overcoming adversity, the importance of resilience, community involvement, and giving back.
In this month’s episode of The Business of Cleaning, we sit down with Sharon Cowan, CBSE, owner of Cleaning Business Consulting Group to discuss the steps you need to follow to sell your commercial cleaning company. Sharon is a seasoned entrepreneur, educator, and consultant with over 30 years of experience in the residential and commercial cleaning industry. As Chairman and President of Cleaning Business Consulting Group, she provides personalized coaching and strategic guidance to help individuals launch or grow profitable cleaning businesses. Sharon is widely recognized as an industry expert, combining her background in corporate leadership, marketing, operations, and business development to deliver results-oriented support.
Rob Anspach, a marketing consultant and former carpet cleaning business owner, shares his journey from entrepreneurship to media. He discusses innovative marketing strategies that increased his average sale from $75 to over $500. Rob shares SEO, email marketing, and social media strategies designed to help commercial cleaning professionals attract more clients and stand out in a competitive market.
In this month's episode of The Business of Cleaning we talk with Nate Lucht, owner of Spotless Enterprise Corp, who shares his journey from various unfulfilling jobs to founding a successful cleaning business. Nate highlights the significance of employee relationships, retaining 90% of his employees, and the importance of mindset, systems, and documentation. Nate's philosophy centers on serving employees and clients, fostering a supportive and growth-oriented culture, and overcoming challenges through continuous learning and adaptation.
Kendal St Louis, CEO of Ladnek, shares his journey from construction work to a successful commercial cleaning business owner in Trinidad and Tobago. Starting with a side hustle selling snacks, he transitioned to cleaning, growing from a solo entrepreneur to managing over 200 employees. Kendall explores the role of social media, particularly TikTok, has played in helping him build brand awareness and attracting new clients.
Dr. Ian Charlery, owner of A One Cleaning Services in the Cayman Islands, discusses his leadership journey, emphasizing empathy, accountability, and innovation. He transitioned to the cleaning industry after years of working as a police officer. Dr. Charlery highlights the importance of clear communication, continuous training, and employee support. He also shares his experience representing the Cayman Islands in the FIA Motorsport Games and his vision for industry growth and employee well-being.
As 2024 comes to a close, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude to our incredible BOC community. Join us in celebrating our top conversations of the year with our 'best of' episode. Stay tuned for more amazing content in 2025.
Wendy Dietzler, Senior Director of Events & Education for Trade Press Incorporated, emphasizes the importance of Building Service Contractors attending the Clean Buildings Conference on Tuesday, March 25th, and Wednesday, March 26th, in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Clean Buildings Conference (CBC) and NFMT events unite building service contractors, in-house cleaning professionals, and facility managers, offering valuable networking and educational opportunities. Key topics include staffing challenges, recruitment, retention, and the need to support and celebrate workers. Additionally, industry experts will explore the growing impact of AI, automation, and technology, addressing both the opportunities and uncertainties they bring to the cleaning industry.
Bill Dunn spent decades in the wine and spirits business where he successfully recruited, hired, trained, and mentored future leaders. But his goal was to one day own his own company. Approaching his 50’s he took a gamble by pulling all his resources together and purchasing CNS Cleaning in 2021. CNS Cleaning now has over 1,000 monthly accounts and has tripled revenue since acquisition. Dunn emphasizes the importance of employee care, continuous improvement, and strategic marketing in growing a business.
Ed Nichols, President of The ISSA Show North America discusses why this show is the premier trade show for the commercial cleaning industry, attracting over 600 exhibitors from 23 countries and nearly 13,000 professionals annually. This event acts as an industry barometer, displaying the latest products, innovations, and educational opportunities, and consistently aims to exceed expectations for both attendees and exhibitors.
Networking and in-person connections are a central focus, with curated experiences tailored to various segments within the industry. The educational program has been significantly expanded this year, offering over 170 sessions covering a wide range of relevant topics for extensive learning opportunities. First-time attendees are encouraged to prepare thoroughly by registering early, downloading the mobile app, and utilizing available resources to optimize their time and maximize return on investment.
Matt and Greg Stowe have been with Octoclean since 1989 when their parents founded the business. They spent early mornings and late nights mastering the trade. Today, they oversee more than 60 franchise owners delivering services across Southern California and Arizona. Matt and Greg currently reside in Riverside, California.
Daryl Hicks, an expert in infection prevention and control, discusses the importance of thorough cleaning and disinfection, especially during flu and COVID-19 seasons. He is nationally recognized as a subject matter expert in infection prevention and control as it relates to cleaning. He has written and published numerous articles in professional and healthcare related journals as part of his commitment to providing a cleaner, safer, and healthier indoor environment. Hicks is the owner/principal of Safe, Clean and Disinfected. His enterprise specializes in B2B consulting, webinar presentations, seminars and facility consulting services related to cleaning and disinfection.
Jeff Carmon brings in millions of dollars in new business each year to Frantz Building Services. He also serves as a commercial cleaning industry consultant. He’s found that in order to achieve long lasting customers you have to develop customer loyalty. Jeff resides in Owensboro, Kentucky with his wife.
In 2002, Chris Mondragon immigrated to the United States from Mexico, seeking to earn money for his family and his college education. Recognizing the necessity of becoming a resident to access better opportunities, Chris undertook various jobs, including working as a chef, construction worker, car salesman, and ultimately, entering the cleaning industry. Despite facing numerous challenges, Chris has successfully built a cleaning company that now generates over $7 million in annual revenue.
Since 1971, Dave Thompson has been a part of the commercial cleaning industry. Over his 50+ year career, he has witnessed numerous changes and advancements. Starting as a frontline worker, he moved into sales and eventually found his calling as a professional educator, operating the Academy of Cleaning Excellence.
In 2016, Illissa Figueroa and Ana Chicas McNamara decided to start their own cleaning business despite only knowing each other for six months. Join us as we look at their journey in the cleaning industry, from humbling beginnings to industry success.