{"id":15970,"date":"2025-09-25T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/?p=15970"},"modified":"2025-10-27T16:41:29","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T16:41:29","slug":"cleaning-business-collaboration-strategies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/cleaning-business-collaboration-strategies\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Ways Partnering With \u201cCompetitors\u201d Helped Me Grow My Cleaning Business"},"content":{"rendered":"    <div class=\"zm-post-first-section mb-24\">\n        <div class=\"first-section-img-wrapper\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/themes\/zm-theme\/assets\/images\/first-section-img.png\" alt=\"first-section-img\" width=\"40px\">\n        <\/div>\n        <h3 class=\"zm-post-first-section-title mb-10 w-80 w-md-100\">Brought to you by expert maid service owners<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"zm-post-first-section-text-wrapper fs-16 mb-10\">\n            <div>\n                <i class=\"ph-bold ph-check text-primary\"><\/i>\n            <\/div>\n            <div>\n                <div class=\"zm-post-first-section-text\">\n                    <strong>\n                        Tips and advice shared here, have helped us grow our own maid services.\n                    <\/strong>\n                    With eight current and former cleaning business owners in our team, including our CEO and founder Amar, we know the maid service industry inside and out.\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"zm-post-first-section-text-wrapper fs-16 mb-10\">\n            <div>\n                <i class=\"ph-bold ph-check text-primary\"><\/i>\n            <\/div>\n            <div>\n                <div class=\"zm-post-first-section-text\">\n                    <strong>\n                        We partner with amazing leaders in the cleaning industry like Debbie Sardone,\n                    <\/strong>\n                    Angela Brown, Courtney Wisely and Chris Schwab and more, to provide you with the latest industry insights.\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"zm-post-first-section-text-wrapper fs-16 mb-10\">\n            <div>\n                <i class=\"ph-bold ph-check text-primary\"><\/i>\n            <\/div>\n            <div>\n                <div class=\"zm-post-first-section-text\">\n                    <strong>\n                        We\u2019ve built the easiest-to-use scheduling software, built specifically for maid service owners!\n                    <\/strong>\n                    <a class=\"text-primary2 text-decoration-underline\" href=\"https:\/\/zenmaid.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Check out ZenMaid<\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Collaboration Over Competition: How Cleaning Business Owners Can Win Together, with Shannon Miller\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/P4jiBDVGrmY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m Shannon Miller, CEO and founding member of <a href=\"http:\/\/kleanfreaksuniversity.com\">Klean Freaks University<\/a>, where I teach cleaning business owners how to price, systemize, and scale. I\u2019m a BIG believer in collaboration over competition because it\u2019s how I grew my own company, and it\u2019s how we push this industry where it needs to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"heading-1\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why collaborate with your \u201ccompetition\u201d?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This work can feel so lonely at times. Many of us operate remotely, out of our homes, or in different states. It\u2019s easy to stay in our bubble and assume there\u2019s not enough to go around. But, there is! And by the end of this post, you\u2019ll see how.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Collaboration is a powerful (and proven) growth strategy \u2014 for your revenue, your reputation, and your sanity. A few realities from over 15 years in the industry:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Roughly <strong>90% of cleaning business owners are women<\/strong> \u2014 the first time a trade in the U.S. is dominated by women<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Most companies don\u2019t make it long-term<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fewer than half reach <strong>$500k\/year<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Under 1%<\/strong> hit seven figures; a tiny fraction reach eight \u2014 and bigger is coming as equity moves in<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>All of that is exactly why relationships are the new currency. We NEED each other to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"heading-2\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The most common collaboration mistakes I see in the cleaning industry<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"heading-3\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1) Thinking collaboration = weakness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I used to hold on tight to every lead I paid for. But giving a client to a trusted partner when I couldn\u2019t serve them took care of the customer, built my reputation, and came back to me many times over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"heading-4\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2) No boundaries or expectations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Treat partnerships like client work. Start small, test follow-through, and be clear on what\u2019s included. Just like a cleaning job where dishes and toys weren\u2019t part of the deal, collaborations need boundaries too. Otherwise, people say yes with no plan to follow through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"heading-5\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3) Trying to collaborate with everyone<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You <em>don\u2019t<\/em> need dozens of partners. A few solid owners who share your values and whom you actually like working with are more than enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"heading-6\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4) Staying in isolation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I once ignored a competitor for ten years, only to find out she\u2019d been turning away clients in my exact zip code. That\u2019s ten years of opportunities gone because we never talked! When we finally connected, everything changed. Now we meet every month, share referrals, and back each other up. Staying in isolation doesn\u2019t protect your business \u2014 it holds you back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"heading-7\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Who to collaborate with<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you shift your mindset and avoid the common mistakes, the next question is obvious: <strong><em>who should you actually collaborate with?&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are the two types of partnerships that will benefit your cleaning business:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Direct partners<\/strong> are other cleaning business owners, even the ones you might think of as competitors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Indirect partners <\/strong>are people already connected to your industry: real estate agents who need reliable cleaners, short-term rental hosts or co-hosts looking for turnover help, and builders who constantly need post-construction cleaning<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"heading-8\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The top 6 collaborations to do with your new partners<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now let\u2019s get into the good stuff! These are the collaboration strategies I use most often \u2014 the ones that actually move the needle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"heading-9\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Niche-swapping referrals<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Stick to what you do best and trade out the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I focus on short-term rental turnovers while Susan handles deluxe top-to-bottoms. We send those leads back and forth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I also partner with a company that only does post-construction. They send me STRs, and I send them new builds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You could also take it up a notch and do a concierge-style handoff. Collect the client\u2019s info and pass it directly to your partner so they can follow up. That\u2019s real service!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"heading-10\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Facebook Messenger groups<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I swear by these. Set up separate chats for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Other cleaning business owners<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Real estate agents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Short-term rental hosts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Builders who need post-construction help<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s what those groups give you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Emergency backup: \u201cBig job on Tuesday \u2014 who\u2019s available?\u201d (Always offer top dollar when asking for help.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Problem solving: \u201cThis client situation is a mess. What would you do?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Market intel: Who\u2019s hiring, who\u2019s slowing down, which builders are active<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Be sure to keep each group focused, approve new members, and set basic rules up front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"heading-11\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Social cross-pollination (Lives + giveaways)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Team up online and borrow each other\u2019s audiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Co-host a Facebook or Instagram Live to answer FAQs or show industry unity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Run simple giveaways like seasonal cleaning bundles or gift cards. Start small \u2014 split a $50 card. I\u2019ve done 50+ of these, and they always get attention<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>One reel collab netted me about 150 followers and actual DMs that led to discovery calls, all for $25 each<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Other quick wins: spotlight another business on your socials, share trusted vendors or affiliates, or ask vendors for discounts you can both use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"heading-12\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Shared hiring pool<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep a spreadsheet or Slack space of pre-screened candidates. If you meet a \u201cgolden unicorn\u201d but don\u2019t have hours for them, send them to a partner you trust. They\u2019ll do the same for you. Just make sure you\u2019re all using similar screening standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"heading-13\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Accountability pods<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Think of these as mini-masterminds. Two to five businesses, monthly check-ins, and everyone shares a goal, a struggle, and a win. Small groups work best \u2014 and yes, they can be virtual if meeting in person isn\u2019t an option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"heading-14\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. Chamber networking (the red bucket icebreaker)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Go to Walmart, grab a red bucket, zip-tie a feather duster to it (trust me, you don\u2019t want to keep losing the $50 ones), slap your business name on it, and load it with your marketing materials. Then bring it to Chamber of Commerce events and work the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can usually attend two meetings free before joining, and I\u2019ve met dozens of agents this way. From there, I invite the right ones into my Messenger group. I look for agents who are generous, community-minded, and closing at least 4\u20136 transactions a year.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ones I avoid? Anyone who says, \u201cDo this brutal clean at a discount and I\u2019ll send you more work later.\u201d That\u2019s too vague, and it never pays off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"heading-15\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Boundaries that keep collaborations clean and fair<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Collaborations only work when you keep them clear and fair. A few ground rules I\u2019ve learned the hard way:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Start small and test reliability before you go all in<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Put agreements in writing so there\u2019s no confusion about scope, timing, handoffs, or payment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Work only with people you actually like, know, and trust<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep messenger groups moderated and on-topic so they don\u2019t turn into a free-for-all<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pay fairly \u2014 and quickly \u2014 when someone saves the day for you<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"heading-16\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A quick mindset check (so you\u2019ll actually do this!)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If the idea of \u201cgiving away\u201d a client makes you cringe, I get it. I felt the same way at first. The truth is, collaboration isn\u2019t about losing business \u2014 it\u2019s about serving the client well and building trust that comes back to you later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To make the shift easier, I created a free five-step framework that walks you from scarcity thinking to a service-first mindset. It\u2019s quick, practical, and you can grab it in the resource below (the collab kit) \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"heading-17\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Want the templates I use?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I put together a <strong>Collaboration Starter Kit<\/strong> that includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A copy-and-paste collaboration agreement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>DM scripts to start conversations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A mini checklist for launching your first accountability pod<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Access to my Manifest-Me mini course for the mindset piece<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons has-custom-font-size has-medium-font-size is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-aba0d55d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-75 is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1zOpEgK_s1GuY4BFFcoLqQxOolW09LnsX\/view\">Download your collab kit here!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Wrapping up<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember: we don\u2019t have to do this alone. Collaboration serves the client first, keeps your brand focused, reduces burnout, and puts more money in everyone\u2019s pocket. Relationships \u2014 and the way you show up in them \u2014 are the new currency in the cleaning world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to hear more from me, you can visit my website, <a href=\"http:\/\/kleanfreaksuniversity.com\">kleanfreaksuniversity<\/a>.com, or check out my <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/cleaning-business-life\/id1679841421\">podcast<\/a>. I\u2019m rooting for you!<\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"zm-quick-tip d-flex flex-column flex-md-row mb-24 mt-24\">\n        <div class=\"zm-quick-tip-content-wrapper\">\n            <h4 class=\"zm-quick-tip-title mb-12 text-dark2\">QUICK TIP FROM THE AUTHOR<\/h4>\n            <div class=\"zm-quick-tip-image d-block d-md-none\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/themes\/zm-theme\/assets\/cta_images\/zm_trial_cta.png\" alt=\"quick-tip-image\">\n            <\/div>\n            <h5 class=\"zm-quick-tip-sub-title mb-12\">Simplify and enjoy your scheduling with a scheduling software made for maid services<\/h5>\n            <div>\n                <ul>\n                    <li>Have a beautiful calendar that's full but never stressful.<\/li>\n                    <li>Make your cleaners happy and provide all the information they need at their fingertips.<\/li>\n                    <li>Convert more website visitors into leads and get new cleanings in your inbox with high-converting booking forms.<\/li>\n                    <li>Become part of a community of 8000+ cheering maid service owners just like you.<\/li>\n                <\/ul>\n                <p>Start your FREE ZenMaid trial today and discover the freedom and clarity that ZenMaid can bring to your maid service! <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/app.zenmaid.com\/sign-up\">Start your FREE trial today<\/a><\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"zm-quick-tip-image d-none d-md-block\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/themes\/zm-theme\/assets\/cta_images\/zm_trial_cta.png\" alt=\"quick-tip-image\">\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I\u2019m Shannon Miller, CEO and founding member of Klean Freaks University, where I teach cleaning business owners how to price, systemize, and scale. I\u2019m a BIG believer in collaboration over competition because it\u2019s how I grew my own company, and it\u2019s how we push this industry where it needs to go. Why collaborate with your [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":15973,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"6 Ways Partnering With \u201cCompetitors\u201d Helped Me Grow My Cleaning Business","_seopress_titles_desc":"Most cleaning companies don\u2019t make it past 5 years. Here\u2019s how I\u2019ve grown mine by teaming up with competitors, swapping referrals, and building partnerships.","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[98],"tags":[670,661,671,455,672],"class_list":{"0":"post-15970","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sales-marketing","8":"tag-cleaning-business-collaboraion","9":"tag-cleaning-industry-networking","10":"tag-competitor-partnership","11":"tag-partnerships","12":"tag-referral-partnership"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15970","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15970"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15970\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16177,"href":"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15970\/revisions\/16177"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15973"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15970"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15970"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15970"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}