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 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

 

For YouTube and Spotify:

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📲 Instagram: @cleaningjourney

📲 Instagram: @misa.avalos

 

🎙️Spotify: The Cleaning Journey Podcast On Spotify

📞1-on-1 Call (45-FREE Minutes to talk about your business, CRAZYY, I know): 👇

https://scheduler.zoom.us/misael-avalos/free-discovery-call

 

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