41: Breaking Through Fear to Find Growth with Darlyn Theisen

“I'm kicking myself for is not joining everything sooner than I did.” - Darlyn Theisen

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 inspiring episode of True Grime Stories, Darlyn Theisen, who shares how one of the scariest decisions in her cleaning business led to her greatest growth.

Darlyn started her business with just $85, a mop, and a handful of clients. For over a decade, she cleaned homes herself and managed a constantly changing team of part-time workers. Chaos, call-outs, and broken systems left her overwhelmed, reactive, and teetering on burnout.

Everything changed when she discovered the CBF (Cleaning Business Fundamentals) program and leaned into a new model of solo cleaners, full-time staff, and empowered systems. Though the shift brought fear and resistance, the result was powerful: smoother operations, happier clients, and a revitalized team culture.

Darlyn now leads a thriving company with over 170 recurring clients, reduced stress, and new personal freedom—including building a cabin in her hometown. Her story proves that with structure, community, and the courage to pivot, big scary changes can lead to big-time breakthroughs.

Key Topics:

• Starting a cleaning business from scratch with no plan—just necessity
• Working solo for 15 years before realizing the business potential
• The chaos and stress of managing a large part-time staff
• Discovering online cleaning communities and business coaching
• Hiring and training full-time solo cleaners for consistency and accountability
• Letting go of control and vehicles to streamline operations
• Handling fear and resistance from both clients and staff during major changes
• The impact of clear systems, boundaries, and enforced policies
• Shifting from burnout to joy by creating a healthier work-life balance
• Giving back: monthly team-led charity donations and local nonprofit support
• Long-term goals: hitting the million-dollar mark and creating time freedom
• Advice to other cleaning business owners: don’t do it alone—get support early

Guest’s Information: 

• Learn more about Cleaning Solutions: www.cleaningsolutionsmp.com
• CBF (Cleaning Business Fundamentals) – A business coaching program that helped understand what was missing and how to build systems that actually work.

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House Cleaning Business, Cleaning Business Owners, Cleaning Industry, Scaling a Cleaning Business, Cleaning Business Growth, Leadership, Mentorship, AI Marketing, SEO for Cleaners, Team Building, Podcast