Our Business Shenanigans

Owning a business with your best friend: power duo or true crime documentary? 😅Holly & Laura (Chores and More + Hustled Up Podcast) joined us to talk 50/50 splits, zero scorekeeping, leadership reality, and why Starbucks in-hand on Day 1 might be your sign from the universe.Also… there’s an origin story in here that should probably come with a parental advisory. 🎧

CleanCon 2026 is not “just a conference.” It’s a movement.We’re joined by Molly, Drew & Holly, the founders of CleanCon, to talk about what the residential cleaning industry has been missing—and why “no hype, no selling from stage” is non-negotiable.📍 CleanCon 2026: March 16–18, 2026 | Indianapolis | The ConradTopics include marketing, sales, operations, leadership, and tech—built for cleaning business owners who want real takeaways.#CleanCon #CleanCon2026 #ResidentialCleaningIndustry #CleaningBusiness #OurBusinessShenanigans

We’ve been away because we’ve been growing.In this episode, Jen + Nicole talk hiring, training, systems, and the mindset shifts that keep you from hiring out of desperation.What we cover:Busy season hiring chaos (Nicole was in the trenches)Why in-house sales can boost relationships + retentionTraining systems that streamline onboardingThe role of community + networking in business growthWhy investing in yourself changes everything“We only share scars.”Tap play.

Hiring a VA is supposed to buy back your time… but if you don’t have systems, clarity, and boundaries, it can turn into virtual chaos real quick.In this episode of Our Business Shenanigans, Jen Rodgers and Nicole Kalb break down the real wins and painful lessons of working with remote team members — including red flags, agency vs. individual VA pros/cons, what you need in place before you hire, and when it’s time to bring a role back in-house.And yes… we’re telling the story about the time Jen’s Google Drive got deleted and someone tried to claim “that didn’t happen.” (It did. Receipts were involved.)Listen now, and drop your VA horror stories + success stories — we might do a Part 2 with listener stories.

Jen & Nicole are joined by Justin and Philip from Digital Anchor Media to pull back the curtain on marketing partnerships — the good, the bad, and the confusing.They discuss how to:✅ Vet agencies the smart way🚩 Spot red flags early💬 Understand contracts & communication📊 Track ROI that actually matters🧭 Navigate Google Business & Local Service AdsIf you’ve ever wondered where your marketing money is really going — this one’s for you.Listen now at ourbusinessshenanigans.com

Clicks ≠ Clients.In part 1 of this episode of Our Business Shenanigans, we’re calling out the shady side of digital marketing with guests Justin & Philip from Digital Anchor Media. They share how to spot vanity metrics, track real ROI, and finally understand if your ads are actually working. If your agency speaks in jargon but can’t show you real results — this one’s for you. Listen now at ourbusinessshenanigans.com or wherever you get your podcasts.https://alwaysjustpeachyclean.com/https://paragoncleaningllc.com/

💬 "It's okay to not be okay — just don’t stay there alone."In this week’s raw and real episode of Our Business Shenanigans, Jen and Nicole sit down with Michelle Krueger from Brightside Services Inc. to talk about falling down… and finding the strength to get back up.From burnout to breakthrough, this one’s for every entrepreneur navigating the hard days, the hidden struggles, and the healing. 💛🎙️ Takeaways:✔ It’s okay to ask for help✔ Let go of people-pleasing✔ You’re not alone in the hard seasons✔ Peace is possible — and you deserve itListen now on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts!👉 ourbusinessshenanigans.com👉 justpeachyclean.com👉 paragoncleaningllc.com👉 myprofitpathways.com

From passive-aggressive emails to full-blown entitlement meltdowns — business bullies are real. And guess what? You don’t have to tolerate them.This week, Jen & Nicole are telling real stories (including that one time Nicole almost cancelled her wedding to avoid a client tantrum 🤯) and walking you through:✔️ How to recognize subtle manipulation✔️ How to respond without losing your cool✔️ Why saying “no” is a power move, not a problem🔥 You started a business to be your own boss — not to be bullied.Hit play and take your power back.#BoundariesInBusiness #ClientDrama #ToxicWorkplace #OurBusinessShenanigans #EntrepreneurLife #NoMoreBullies

Everyone wants a business that runs without them—but few are willing to build what that actually takes.In this episode of Our Business Shenanigans, Jen & Nicole get real about:The fantasy vs. reality of business freedomWhy duct-taping operations makes you the systemThe actual foundation you need (team, SOPs, accountability)How to stop being the bottleneckDelayed gratification & the mindset that builds legacy🔥 Includes a hilarious (but painfully relatable) roleplay of what NOT to do when you're “too busy to build.”Ready to stop firefighting and start scaling? This one’s for you.🎧 Listen now & share it with the business owner friend who’s one Slack message away from snapping.#FreedomIsBuilt #BusinessStrategy #CEOTruths #OurBusinessShenanigans

Ever hired someone and immediately regretted it? 🙋‍♀️Yeah… us too. But it doesn’t have to be that way.This week on Our Business Shenanigans, we’re breaking down:🔻 Why your hiring process might be the real problem💣 Red flags that scream “RUN”🎯 How to attract and screen the right people📋 The trial period that actually protects your biz💬 And of course… a few epic hiring fails you won't believe👉 If you’re still hiring out of burnout or vibes, this one’s your wake-up call.

In this episode of Our Business Shenanigans, Jen and Nicole discuss the critical importance of employee policies in small businesses. They explore various aspects of policy implementation, including attendance, equipment management, communication with clients, and setting performance expectations. The conversation emphasizes the need for clear, specific policies to avoid chaos and ensure fairness among employees. The hosts share personal anecdotes and practical advice on how to create and enforce effective policies that protect both the business and its employees.

Policies aren’t about being mean—they’re about being smart. In this episode, Jen and Nicole dive deep into why client-facing policies are critical for protecting your team, your time, and your sanity. You’ll get stories, scripting, red flags, and real talk on how to create and communicate boundaries like a boss.

🎙️ Our Business Shenanigans – Episode 8“Bookkeepers, Boundaries & Bottom Lines”In this episode, we’re joined by special guest Jodi Shaw of JLS Solutions for a candid conversation about what business owners really need to know when hiring a bookkeeper or CFO.We dive into:✅ What to look for in a financial partner🚩 Red flags to watch out for when hiring vendors✅ Green flags that signal a solid, trustworthy fit💬 Real-world shenanigans and lessons learned along the wayWhether you’re a solo cleaner, growing service business, or just trying to figure out if your books are in good hands, this episode is packed with insights that could save you money — and stress.🎧 Tune in, laugh with us, and take away tips you can use today!

Ever hired a bookkeeper, marketer, VA, or recruiter… only to end up confused, frustrated, and somehow blamed for their mistakes? That’s not you being too sensitive—that’s vendor gaslighting.In this episode of Our Business Shenanigans, Jen and Nicole break down:What vendor gaslighting looks like in real lifeThe red flags no one talks aboutHow to handle it when it startsAnd how to protect your business (and sanity) going forward💥 Real stories, no fluff, and all the receipts.Because the only thing worse than a bad vendor… is one who convinces you you’re the problem.🎯 If you've ever felt like you're doing the job you paid someone else to do, this episode is for you.👇 Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow business owner who needs this truth bomb.

core values, business strategy, hiring, entrepreneurship, team culture, client relationships, leadership, decision making, company values, business insightssummaryIn this episode of Our Business Shenanigans, hosts Jen and Nicole dive deep into the significance of core values in business. They discuss how core values serve as the foundation for decision-making, hiring, and team culture. Through personal anecdotes and real-life examples, they illustrate the impact of having clear core values on both employee satisfaction and client relationships. The conversation also touches on the importance of creating authentic core values that resonate with the team and the warning signs of fake core values. The episode concludes with actionable steps for business owners to develop their own core values and a call to engage with the audience.takeawaysCore values are essential for guiding behavior and decision-making.Hiring aligned employees is crucial for maintaining a positive culture.Core values help in navigating client relationships and setting boundaries.Real-life examples illustrate the importance of core values in action.Core values should be embedded in daily operations and communications.Warning signs of fake core values include lack of team awareness and generic statements.Effective core values are specific, actionable, and reflect the company's true identity.Engaging the team in the creation of core values fosters ownership and alignment.Core values should be revisited and reinforced regularly to remain relevant.Business owners should not fear to let go of clients or employees who do not align with their core values.

This week on Our Business Shenanigans, we’re flipping the script and talking about something that doesn’t get enough attention:When staffing actually goes RIGHT. 🙌In this episode, we dive into the good side of business—what happens when you hire the right people, build a strong team culture, and create a supportive environment where everyone thrives. 💬💼We’re sharing personal stories, lessons learned, and real strategies that helped us navigate the chaos, level up our onboarding, and recognize the people who truly make a difference.Because let’s be real—business isn’t built on luck. It’s built on leadership, communication, and a team that actually gives a damn. 🔥🎧 Tune in now and hear:✅ How to spot (and keep) great employees✅ Why clear communication matters more than you think✅ The power of training, recognition, and support in growing your dream team

Let’s be real—running a business isn’t all wins and glowing reviews. In this episode, we’re opening up about the hard stuff: team walkouts, being called out on social media, and the gut-punch moments that made us question everything.We’re sharing the lessons we learned, what we’d do differently, and how we rebuilt stronger after it all.If you’re a business owner or manager navigating team dynamics, you’re not alone—and this one’s for you.

Think calling someone a 1099 magically makes it legal? Think again. 😬In this episode, we break down the real differences between subcontractors and employees—and why the IRS doesn't care if you “didn’t know.” We’re sharing the rules, the red flags, and the hard lessons we’ve learned from doing things the right way (and watching others do it oh-so-wrong).Whether you’re hiring your first team member or cleaning up a classification mess, this one’s your business life insurance.

Are you maximizing your investments and resources? Trigger warning: some people may find this one offensive

This podcast is for anyone running a business, thinking about starting one, or just here to hear about the absolute insanity that comes with entrepreneurship. Expect real talk, business wins and fails, marketing tips, hiring horror stories, and of course—plenty of shenanigans along the way.