#51: How One Cleaning Tech Employee Becomes Irreplaceable

Ever wonder what it takes to go from cleaning tech to essential operations leader in your cleaning business? In this candid episode, Stephanie sits down with April West Serene Clean’s payroll administrator, accounts manager, and longtime right hand.

They share honest stories about extreme cleans (the Cat House! the Chicken House!), the reality of managing call-outs, building sustainable company culture, and learning to set boundaries with clients. April reflects on joining Serene Clean as a part-time technician with triplets at home and growing into her critical role today, all while keeping a sense of humor about the industry’s messy realities.

Key Takeaways in this Episode:

• Why flexibility beats high wages for attracting long-term staff
• How to nurture part-timers into loyal team members
• Setting clear boundaries with clients (and each other)
• The messy, hilarious truths of extreme cleans
• Improving training, onboarding, and quality control as you scale
• How software choices (ZenMaid, Gusto, Trainual) made admin easier
• Balancing mission, culture, and accountability in a growing team

 Resources mentioned:

• ZenMaid. https://get.zenmaid.com/
• Serene Clean Consulting. https://serene-clean.com/consulting-services

 Try ZenMaid free for 14 days: ZenMaid Free Trial

 Read the full transcript: Blog post