Episode 1317 – Cleaning Business Owners: FIRE These Clients Before They Burn You Out
Are you working harder than ever but feeling more frustrated than ever? In this episode, Mike Campion shares some tough love for cleaning business owners who are tired of bad clients and thin profits. He breaks down which types of customers are secretly destroying your business—and how to spot the red flags before it’s too late. You’ll learn why post-construction and one-time cleans keep you broke and busy, and how recurring clients can finally give you freedom and profit. Mike also shares a simple system to sort your clients into red, yellow, and green so you can focus on the ones that make your life better. Tune in and discover how choosing better clients can transform your business—and your happiness.
Stop Working for the Wrong People
Mike Campion kicks off by giving cleaning company owners a reality check. If they’re working harder but feeling worse, it’s probably because they’re taking money from the wrong clients. He says the biggest problem isn’t marketing or finding more jobs—it’s saying yes to people who drain your time, energy, and profits. The key to success is choosing the right kind of clients who actually make business fun and rewarding.
Why Post-Construction Jobs Are a Trap
Mike warns that post-construction cleanups look good on paper but can ruin a business fast. Sure, they seem like big money up front, but they often run long, cost more than expected, and leave you waiting months to get paid. He compares them to gambling—lots of risk, very little reward. These jobs lead to burnout, late payrolls, and constant stress. The house always wins, and the cleaning company always loses.
One-Time Cleans Keep You Stuck
Next, Mike calls out one-time jobs like move-outs and deep cleans. He says they’re not real customers—they’re just expensive hobbies. You spend the same effort to get them as you would a regular client, but they vanish after one clean. Recurring customers bring steady income and long-term value, while one-timers just make you feel busy without building profit or stability.
Recurring Clients Are the Gold Mine
Mike explains that successful businesses—like Netflix or Dollar Shave Club—run on recurring revenue, and cleaning companies should too. Whether you go residential or commercial, pick one lane and go all in. Residential clients pay for time and convenience; commercial clients offer huge lifetime value and more predictable income. The goal is to focus on quality clients who need you every week, not one-and-done jobs.
Choose Better Clients, Build a Better Life
To wrap up, Mike gives a simple system: mark clients as red (bad), yellow (okay), or green (great). Then stop chasing reds and focus only on greens. He reminds owners that turning down bad money is scary, but it’s the key to freedom and growth. In the end, the quality of your customers determines the quality of your business—and your life.