{"id":3779,"date":"2020-10-24T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-24T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/?p=3779"},"modified":"2025-05-22T03:15:09","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T03:15:09","slug":"three-rules-to-explode-profits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/three-rules-to-explode-profits\/","title":{"rendered":"3 rules to explode profits and grow your maid service"},"content":{"rendered":"\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=\"Get MORE Profits for your Cleaning Business with Debbie Sardone\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/r7c4fQs6A1c?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\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"heading-1\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>It doesn\u2019t matter where you started \u2014 it matters where you\u2019re going.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Over 25 years ago, Debbie Sardone was 80k in debt and at her wit&#8217;s end with her business profits. So, she hired a team of business consultants to fly from Chicago to her home state of Texas. Although this cost her 40k, the team helped her reconfigure her business model and rethink how to run a cleaning business. Nine months after hiring the consultants, her business grossed over a million dollars in a year. In 2019 her business revenue reached 1.8 million. Now, she uses her experiences to help other struggling business owners \u2014 <em>without<\/em> the 40k price tag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Debbie\u2019s business is so efficient that it\u2019s self-run. She has even more time and freedom now to help others. She shares this story to help you see that it doesn&#8217;t matter where you started \u2014 it only matters where you\u2019re going!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/XP1dQ9jQqvBp6UpOrF1VEYXn3ib5BVdWcEJZfBCLxpt2qTd-zZn0AyRrUJBHtzSnJm3nGRoqFa3kbhvgB5rOnUoZ0_wLr4zam8UQwN_Hkbei6vYo7CvVBQODYg5eF5LTyZwvRPpS\" alt=\"cleaning business,grow my cleaning business,maid service\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"heading-2\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>See your business soar<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you want to increase your profits without spending a dime? (This is a no-brainer\u2014 of course you do!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you own a cleaning business, then you know that increasing your profits is not just helpful, but absolutely necessary.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So why did you start your own business in the first place?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Was it to find financial freedom on your own terms?&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Or was it to create a lifestyle that serves your needs?&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re like most business owners then your answer is probably yes to both of these questions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Owning your own business gives you great opportunities. While lots of people can start a business and build something from the ground up, things can quickly fall apart when they don\u2019t have a plan to manage their growth and profits.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re not prioritizing profit, then you\u2019re leaving money on the table and risking the longevity of your business. Even if your company is growing, you still might find that your business is unprofitable and a bit chaotic without the right profit model in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And when times are tough, it\u2019s easy to question your leadership abilities. <em>What am I doing wrong? I know I\u2019m a smart person, but everything in my business is in chaos right now!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Luckily, there are tried and true ways to successfully manage your profits: create a solid plan, charge what you\u2019re worth, and know what numbers to keep an eye on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With a few small tweaks, you don\u2019t have to work for your business. Instead, it will work for you. You don\u2019t need to go to bed sick to your stomach and worried about tomorrow. If you want to make more money and live better, follow these three rules.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>(Growing your profits is a big topic over at ZenMaid. For another great article on this topic, save <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/ken-carfagno\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>this article<\/em><\/a><em> to read next!)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/3Yuw7sJwEod5d3g1c--ZY4K8TOYF6dwfJKNhGOnU9gTBkDKIORYZ7BF5EMzyo6IH09NHQx7iO6ggJVsksog47XBoyNymhIR5s8rSw6DEWIEcoNIYyfchFCt1jmg_zjP2_ia2hTPb\" alt=\"cleaning business,grow my cleaning business,maid service\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"heading-3\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>#1 Plan your profit<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If profit doesn\u2019t come first, then it won\u2019t come last either\u2014 unfortunately, it won&#8217;t come at all.<strong> You have to plan your profit first<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Look in the mirror and ask yourself this: <em>What\u2019s my profit plan?&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you have a profit model? If so, what does it look like? If you don\u2019t, then you\u2019re relying on the \u201cwishing and hoping\u201d method at the end of every month. As you can imagine, this isn\u2019t a great recipe for success.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><p>No matter what, <strong>everyone&#8217;s profit model will look different<\/strong>. Your personality, vision, city, state, clientele, and employees all influence what type of business model you need.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/get.zenmaid.com\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/free-trial-banner-1.png\" alt=\"cleaning business,grow my cleaning business,maid service\"><\/a><\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"heading-4\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A planned owner\u2019s income and profit model<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Some businesses follow a 10-12k planned owner\u2019s income and profit model.&nbsp; This means that for every employee, you (the owner) should make $10,000 to $12,000 in profit \u2014it\u2019s that simple. (This model assumes the owner is not cleaning; they are running the business.)&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have five full-time cleaners, then you will make $50,000-60,000 personal income each year. Eight to ten cleaners should bring you between $80,000 and $100,000 in a year. Essentially, each new cleaner you hire should generate at least $10,000\/year in profit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This model may seem like a hassle, but you\u2019ll thank us later! These steps will eventually lead to the inner peace you\u2019ve been wanting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve established your own income and profit model, take a look at your planned overhead expense model.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Expenses can fly out of control easily. That\u2019s why you need to build your planned overhead expenses into your profit model. You tell your expenses what to do and where to go\u2014not the other way around.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if you want 20% profit as an owner, and you spend 55% on employee wages, then that leaves you with a 25% overhead budget. Your overhead budget includes your rent, company vehicle, gas, cleaning supplies, etc. Whatever percentage fits with your model should be controlled and monitored by YOU. You need to know exactly what these costs should be. After all, you need to know the exact numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember, you run your business. Your business doesn\u2019t run you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more on how to measure your profit growth, check out our post on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/3-kpis-for-maid-service-profit-growth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">3 KPIs for maid service profitability.&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/0TPv87ae_-YVTR8o4PEZxIvuPJsfMKkHXDtDXUyYqHkexUcojlI_iA9dSaawFVBLaf-zRfdF124WBwfdMZgF0CJN2b2LfS6QO6w1UG8IsmMArxWveF8LxUnhcsEEvf2D-I05zCZk\" alt=\"cleaning business,grow my cleaning business,maid service\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"heading-5\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>#2 Know your numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don\u2019t know your numbers then you don\u2019t know your business. This sounds harsh, but it\u2019s true!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>100% of high achievers know their numbers.<\/strong> Your income and your profits accurately measure the health of your business. To maximize profits, you need to know what percentage of your earnings you spend and how much profit you have leftover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It doesn\u2019t always matter how much you make, but rather, how much you keep.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re not familiar with your business profits and losses, start by running a profit and loss statement every week until you understand your earning and spending patterns. Once you have a good idea of how much you\u2019re making and spending every week, then you can start running these numbers once per month.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pay attention to these four things on your profit loss statement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Revenue<\/strong>: You\u2019ll want to keep track of your monthly revenues.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Direct labor costs<\/strong>: These are the wages you pay to the employees who clean. Don\u2019t forget to include your payroll burden costs such as workers comp and federal taxes. Then look at what percentage of your direct labor costs are within your monthly revenue. Is it 50%? 65%?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Overhead expenses<\/strong>: These are all of your bills not including your direct labor costs: vehicles, computer subscriptions, marketing, cleaning supplies, repairs, rent, utilities, etc. What number is this compared to your revenue? 25%? 30%?&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Owners&#8217; income and profit:<\/strong> How much is left over for you every month? This shouldn\u2019t go up and down wildly every month.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>If you do the math and pay attention to the finer details, then your business will inevitably improve. It\u2019s not difficult work \u2014 it just takes a little bit of discipline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/Po8n-UsJRbubBgiSh0rL1QeK7puqHoWB6tD4DM8-120UufiHmDyTprrqnjpCy8vSWQUuYWe27U8X8-l3HY0R-FBXi5rEyj3uKvxXDJOA2hxLlSpRC70-z0qWW6o5rRoTtf_KJz_S\" alt=\"cleaning business,grow my cleaning business,maid service\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"heading-6\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>#3 Charge what you\u2019re worth<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is one of the top reasons that you\u2019re not seeing the profits you want.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most cleaning business owners believe that they\u2019ve reached the limit of what they can charge. In reality, <strong>most business owners are undercharging for their services by 25 to 30 percent.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How do you know if you\u2019re charging what you\u2019re worth? Do an annual market survey. In fact, it wouldn\u2019t hurt to do a market survey a few times a year, especially during volatile times (like COVID-19, for instance).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you find out that you\u2019re undercharging, then you need to raise your prices for all new business coming in. Don\u2019t forget to increase your prices for your legacy clients as well. If you have clients that you\u2019ve been serving for five years and haven\u2019t raised your prices with them, then your profits are going to take a major hit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of waiting to make a huge increase every three years, raise your prices once or twice a year. If you raise your prices in small increments, you won\u2019t receive as much backlash from your customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"heading-7\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Wrapping Up<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your maid service\u2019s long-term success is highly dependent on your ability to protect and increase your profits. So, take some time to inspect your current profit, revenue, and expenses and look for ways to be more diligent in tracking these numbers. Always make sure you\u2019re putting profits first.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following these three rules \u2014 creating a profit plan, knowing your numbers, and charging what you\u2019re worth \u2014 will put your cleaning business in a position to grow year after year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more detailed information on these three rules, and how you can join Debbie\u2019s exclusive 10-day challenge to permanently fix and grow your profits, <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/r7c4fQs6A1c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">watch the full presentation from the 2020 Maid Summit<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong>About the presenter<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\r\n<p><em>This article is based on a presentation given by <\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/themaidcoach.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Debbie Sardone<\/em><\/a><em>, founder of <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cleaningbusinessfundamentals.com\/join37436363\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Cleaning Business Fundamentals<\/em><\/a><em>, at the <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/playlist?list=PL8Co4V1UoDDCZu4_Y7ou-bUK_eedR74Fn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>2020 Maid Summit<\/em><\/a><em>. Debbie\u2019s clients have rightfully named her the \u201cKing Of Profits And The Queen Of Quality Of Life,\u201d and for a good reason. Known as America\u2019s Top Cleaning Business Growth Expert, Debbie has the top Residential Cleaning Business Academy globally. In this post, we\u2019ll highlight Debbie\u2019s three rules maid service owners should follow for maximizing their profits.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><p><em><span class=\"notion-enable-hover\" data-token-index=\"0\">This talk first aired at the 2020 Maid Service Success Summit. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span class=\"notion-enable-hover\" data-token-index=\"0\">The Maid Summit is an annual online event that brings together the most successful leaders in the cleaning industry, like Debbie Sardone, Angela Brown, Courtney Wisely, Amy Caris, Chris Schwab and more. Get free access to masterclasses and workshops that will help you to grow, scale and automate your cleaning business so you can get more leads and create more profit. Make sure you\u2019re <\/span><a class=\"notion-link-token notion-enable-hover\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/newsletter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-token-index=\"1\"><span class=\"link-annotation-unknown-block-id-1412232294\">on our email list<\/span><\/a><span class=\"notion-enable-hover\" data-token-index=\"2\"> to find out how to get free tickets to the next event.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>You and your maid service deserve a little peace and quiet. Try ZenMaid for <\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/app.zenmaid.com\/sign-up\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>free <\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong><em>today!<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you found this article helpful for your maid service, you may also like:<\/p>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__list wp-block-latest-posts\"><li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/9-scripts-for-upselling-add-on-cleaning-services-during-visits\/\">9 Scripts for Upselling Add-On Cleaning Services During Visits<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/bundling-services-to-increase-average-job-value\/\">Bundling Services to Increase Average Job Value<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/i-asked-alex-hormozi-to-fix-my-cleaning-business\/\">I Asked Alex Hormozi to Fix My Cleaning Business<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/quick-guide-faqs-for-marketing-a-cleaning-business\/\">Quick Guide: FAQs for Marketing a Cleaning Business<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/the-books-that-changed-how-i-run-my-cleaning-business\/\">The Books That Changed How I Run My Cleaning Business<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It doesn\u2019t matter where you started \u2014 it matters where you\u2019re going. Over 25 years ago, Debbie Sardone was 80k in debt and at her wit&#8217;s end with her business profits. So, she hired a team of business consultants to fly from Chicago to her home state of Texas. Although this cost her 40k, the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":3781,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"3 rules to explode profits and grow your maid service","_seopress_titles_desc":"It doesn\u2019t matter where you\u2019re starting \u2014 it only matters where you\u2019re going! Debbie Sardone shares her three rules to explode profits to help your maid service grow. 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