This episode is part of our Best of True Grime Stories series, where we’re re-sharing some of the most loved and impactful conversations from the podcast.

"My goal wasn't just a million-dollar business. My goal was freedom." – Theresa Kolbus

Sign up for a FREE call with Jeannie. Click the link here: https://debbiesardone.com/coachjeannie. Ready to turn your grime story into a success story? Get a free strategy session with CBF Coach Jeannie Henderson and learn about how Cleaning Business Fundamentals will give you the proven strategies you need to grow a thriving, profitable cleaning business.

Episode Summary:

In this exciting episode of True Grime Stories, we dive deep into the journey of Theresa Kolbus, the inspiring owner of Dust Devils, a cleaning business based in Indianapolis. Theresa shares how she went from juggling two jobs as a bartender and cleaning business owner to transforming her business into a thriving, remote-operated company. She now lives a nomadic lifestyle, managing her business from the road in her RV. Join us as Theresa reveals the pivotal changes she made, particularly in mastering her business numbers and implementing systems that allowed her to achieve true freedom, both financially and personally.

Key Takeaways:

• In 2018, Theresa joined Cleaning Business Fundamentals (CBF), which gave her the systems and confidence she needed to grow her business and hire staff.
• By 2021, Theresa was successfully running her cleaning business remotely while living a nomadic life, traveling the country in her RV.
• Theresa emphasizes the importance of tracking key business metrics, or as she calls it, the "snapshot" system, which helps her stay on top of daily operations even while on the road.
• Creating systems for everything in her business, particularly for managing staff and tracking financial numbers, has allowed her to achieve freedom from day-to-day operations.

Guest’s Information:

• Learn more about The Dust Devils at http://indydustdevils.com
• CBF (Cleaning Business Fundamentals) – A business coaching program that helped understand what was missing and how to build systems that actually work.

Subscribe to True Grime Stories and be sure to click the links below to learn more and connect with us on social media for more tips and insights

Connect with Jeannie:

• Website: jeanniehenderson.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeannieHendersonConsulting/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanniehenderson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniehenderson

“I want you to look at every single piece of feedback as a gift.” - Jeannie Henderson

Sign up for a FREE call with Jeannie. Click the link here: https://debbiesardone.com/coachjeannie. Ready to turn your grime story into a success story? Get a free strategy session with CBF Coach Jeannie Henderson and learn about how Cleaning Business Fundamentals will give you the proven strategies you need to grow a thriving, profitable cleaning business.

Episode Summary:

In this special solo episode of True Grime Stories, I share a powerful talk I originally delivered at a Cleaning Business Fundamentals retreat—one that has continued to resonate with cleaning business owners for years. I dive deep into how customer feedback, especially complaints, can become one of the most valuable growth tools in your business.

Drawing from my background in franchising and over a decade of experience growing Jeannie Cleaning, I explain why feedback isn’t something to fear—it’s something to embrace. I challenge the belief that “no news is good news” and reframe complaints as gifts that reveal what your customers truly want. I also introduce my simple three-step Feedback Gift Formula—Respond, Recover, Repair—to help you turn negative experiences into stronger customer relationships, higher retention, and real financial growth.

This episode is about shifting your mindset: moving from frustration to curiosity, and from avoidance to intentional listening. When you truly hear your customers, you unlock loyalty, referrals, stronger teams, better marketing, and long-term success.

✅ KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Feedback is a gift, not a failure—it shows you exactly how to improve.
• Only a small percentage of unhappy customers complain, but many more feel the same way.
• Asking for feedback consistently leads to higher satisfaction and loyalty.
• The Respond, Recover, Repair method turns complaints into trust-building moments.
• Listening to feedback can significantly increase retention, referrals, and revenue.
• Positive feedback is a powerful marketing and team-building tool.
• Businesses that actively seek feedback grow faster and stronger over time.

Guest’s Information:

• Learn more about Jeannie Cleaning at https://jeanniecleaning.com/
• CBF (Cleaning Business Fundamentals) – A business coaching program that helped understand what was missing and how to build systems that actually work.

Subscribe to True Grime Stories and be sure to click the links below to learn more and connect with us on social media for more tips and insights

Connect with Jeannie:

• Website: jeanniehenderson.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeannieHendersonConsulting/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanniehenderson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniehenderson

House Cleaning Business, Cleaning Business Owners, Residential Cleaning, Cleaning Industry, Scaling a Cleaning Business, Cleaning Business Growth, Leadership, Mentorship, Cleaning Business Fundamentals, Cleaning For A Reason, True Grime Stories Podcast

This episode is part of our Best of True Grime Stories series, where we’re re-sharing some of the most loved and impactful conversations from the podcast.

"We assume nobody really understands our unique challenges. And we're incorrect. Thankfully, there's so many ways that you can find help and you should." - Debbie Sardone

Sign up for a FREE call with Jeannie. Click the link here: https://debbiesardone.com/coachjeannie. Ready to turn your grime story into a success story? Get a free strategy session with CBF Coach Jeannie Henderson and learn about how Cleaning Business Fundamentals will give you the proven strategies you need to grow a thriving, profitable cleaning business.

Episode Summary: In this episode, we sit down with the inspirational Debbie Sardone to discuss the power of confidence and community in growing a successful cleaning business. Debbie shares how being "three feet from gold" applied to her cleaning business in the early days and to cleaning business owners who may feel stuck or on the verge of giving up. She talks about her personal journey, the importance of building a supportive community, and how taking action, even when it's uncomfortable, can lead to explosive business growth. Learn how to harness the confidence to push through challenges and embrace the support of others who understand your unique struggles as a cleaning business owner.

Key Topics:

• Finding the confidence to grow your cleaning business
• The power of community in business success
• Strategies for getting unstuck and moving forward
• Overcoming obstacles with the right mindset
• Why persistence is key in the cleaning industry

Guest’s Information:

• Cleaning Business Fundamentals (CBF): A program that has helped countless cleaning business owners scale and succeed. Strategies for improving business systems and team management.
• Learn more at https://debbiesardone.com

Take Action: Ready to turn your grime story into a success story? Visit https://debbiesardone.com/coachjeannie to get a free strategy session with CBF Coach Jeannie Henderson and learn about how Cleaning Business Fundamentals will give you the proven strategies you need to grow a thriving, profitable cleaning business. Subscribe to True Grime Stories and be sure to click the links below to learn more and connect with us on social media for more tips and insights

Follow Us:

• Website: jeanniehenderson.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeannieHendersonConsulting/
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