Finally hit 7 figures after 12 years cleaning in Chicago

Been busting my ass in the Chicago area, mostly commercial office cleans and deep residential jobs, and just closed out the year at over a million in revenue. Started solo with a basic Bissell vac and now I've got a crew of 8 hauling Oreck commercial units. Damn, it feels good to finally make it but the winters here make every job a frozen crap-show.

how'd you land that first big commercial contract?

PE firms are buying up cleaning companies left and right, good on you for staying independent.

SharkBite fittings? Wait, wrong sub, but seriously, big congrats man, most cleaners never hit that.

insurance premiums ate 20% of my profits last year, you're killing it though.

felt that, my back's wrecked from years of scrubbing floors on my knees.

congrats! I once cleaned a hoarder house that took 3 weeks, thought I'd quit but pushed through.

same here, started in '05 and still grinding, but your numbers inspire.

mixing vinegar and baking soda is BS, use proper enzyme cleaners for deep cleans.

chicago winters suck for outdoor equipment too, how do you store your gear?

watched a Melissa Maker video on efficient deep cleaning, changed my whole system.

try Jobber for scheduling your crew, saved me hours a week on routes.

swiffer mops are garbage for pros, stick with microfiber and steamers.

hit 500k last year with residential only, you're goals dude.

crew drama is killing me, had to fire two last month over showing up late.

man, scaling up sounds great but I miss the solo days, less headache.

homeowners in the groups are the worst, always haggling on deep clean prices.

saw a post in Cleaning Business Owners about PE acquisitions, it's scary.

definitely, but congrats again, what's your go-to for tough grout stains?