CBL #114-Ron Papke-Networking Your Way to $2 Million: A Carpet Cleaner's Success Story

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Ron Papke’s journey from addiction and homelessness to building a thriving cleaning restoration business is nothing short of inspiring. With just $2,500 and a few lawn mowers, he laid the foundation for what would grow into a million-dollar company specializing in water restoration, mold remediation, air duct cleaning, and more.

What makes Ron’s success stand out is his mastery of organic marketing—achieving massive growth without relying on hefty advertising budgets. 

His company’s leap from $500,000 to its first million in revenue came largely from a simple yet powerful strategy: customer yard signs. By placing signs at every job site and leaving them up until a client objected (which almost never happened), he created an unstoppable local presence. 

The proof? His business boasts over 700 Google reviews, while his nearest competitor has just 40.

Beyond marketing, Ron’s business approach is full of game-changing strategies. His innovative “scheduling close” technique shifts the focus from price to value by first asking if customers qualify for special discounts (like first responders, teachers, and veterans) before offering time-sensitive pricing incentives. He also requires a $50 deposit on every job, which not only reduces last-minute cancellations but reinforces his company’s professionalism.

Ron is a firm believer that strong communication skills are key to success—so much so that he recommends every business owner join Toastmasters. Not only does it refine public speaking

Up your cleaning game, join over 6000 Cleaning Business Owners most of whom are located here in the United States.  

Erica Paynter is the brains behind My Virtual Bookkeeper, a bookkeeping firm for cleaning companies, and the creator of Clean Co. Cash Flow Academy and the Clean Co. Collective. She’s on a mission to help cleaning business owners make sense of their numbers without boring them to tears! Erica’s all about turning messy books into profit-packed powerhouses.

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