Scaling Smarter with Software; Lessons from a Cleaning Industry Leader
Welcome back to the Five Door Media blog, where we highlight the best insights from the leaders shaping the future of the cleaning industry. This season, we’ve been talking with the innovators behind the technology platforms that residential and commercial cleaning companies rely on. Today, we’re diving into a powerful conversation with Holly Moore, founder of Maids and Moore and creator of The Cleaning Software.
Holly has a rare perspective: she built one of the nation’s largest residential cleaning companies, scaling it to more than 150 cleaners and $10 million in revenue, and then turned her operational know-how into a software platform designed specifically for residential cleaning businesses. In our conversation, she shared how automation, AI, and smart integrations are reshaping the industry, and what every cleaning business owner needs to know to stay ahead.
From Cleaning Business to Software Founder
Holly didn’t set out to be a software entrepreneur. Back in 2017, she was running her residential cleaning business and felt stuck around the $4 million mark. Growth was being held back by inefficiencies; manual processes, outdated systems, and high management costs. Her solution? Build her own platform to streamline operations.
By 2020, she had launched what she calls The Cleaning Software 1.0 inside her own company. The results were undeniable: within three years, revenue doubled to $8 million, all without adding more overhead. Friends and peers in the industry quickly noticed, asking if they could use it too. That’s when Holly knew she had created something bigger than a one-company solution.
Today, her platform is on its second major version, with 3.0 already in development. Each iteration integrates more automation, more AI, and more scalability because as Holly points out, cleaning businesses don’t just need software that works at 10 employees. They need software that can handle 100+.
The Efficiency Shift: Why Automation Matters
One of the biggest shifts Holly has seen in the last 18 months is cleaning companies moving away from heavy management costs and toward automation.
With AI and smart CRMs, many tasks that used to require a dedicated manager, like following up with customers, processing payroll, or routing jobs, can now be handled automatically. That shift isn’t just about saving time; it’s about protecting profit margins in a world where labor and overhead costs are rising.
As Holly put it: “Every time I hit a wall in my business, the first question I asked was: how can I replace this task or make it more efficient with technology?”
Rising Expectations in a Tech-Savvy World
It’s not just business owners who are thinking differently about software; it’s the customers too. Holly pointed out that the consumer experience with platforms like Uber, DoorDash, or Netflix has reset expectations across the board. If a customer can book a ride with one tap, why should it take six clicks to schedule a cleaning?
The same is true for business owners. Once you’ve seen the speed of AI or experienced seamless integrations in other industries, it’s hard to accept clunky processes in your own. This rising expectation is pushing cleaning software companies to constantly innovate, or risk being left behind.
Holly’s team is already working on version 3.0 of her platform, with a focus on speed, simplicity, and AI-driven features because, as she says, “If you’re not refactoring and updating your code every three years, you’ll fall behind.”
The Power of Integration
In the past, running a cleaning business might mean juggling a dozen different tools: scheduling software, quoting platforms, payroll systems, marketing apps, and more. Integration was rare and often clunky.
Now, the smartest companies are demanding all-in-one solutions. They want their CRM to integrate directly with quoting tools, survey platforms, communication apps, and AI systems. Holly sees this as the future of the industry: “What used to take 12 different programs can now be done inside one platform.”
Her philosophy is simple: don’t try to be the best at everything. Instead, integrate with tools that already excel. That mindset is shifting the industry from siloed software to connected ecosystems.
Avoiding the Biggest Technology Mistake
When asked about common mistakes cleaning business owners make with technology, Holly’s answer was clear: they overcomplicate things.
Owners often choose a cheaper, short-term solution that works fine for 10 employees but doesn’t scale. Later, when they hit 100 employees, they’re forced to make a painful transition. Holly advises owners to think long-term: “Start how you want to finish.”
Simple, scalable, and efficient beats complicated every time.
AI: The Next Frontier
Of course, no conversation about technology in 2025 is complete without talking about AI. Holly sees AI playing a massive role in the coming years, not just for writing emails or answering customer inquiries, but for building automations that adapt in real-time without human input.
She’s quick to admit she’s still learning, and that’s part of the point. “Everyone’s talking about AI, but none of us are true experts yet. It’s moving too fast. What matters is whether you’re educating yourself and asking the right questions.”
Her advice for business owners: when evaluating software, always ask about future AI plans. A company that isn’t preparing for AI today will leave you stuck in yesterday’s systems tomorrow.
Education First, Software Second
Perhaps the most inspiring part of Holly’s approach is her belief that software companies have a responsibility to educate, not just sell. She knows switching CRMs is one of the scariest changes a business owner can make; it often takes years of trust-building before someone is ready.
That’s why The Cleaning Software doesn’t just offer a platform. They offer a success network with weekly calls, ongoing education, and a community of users who share best practices. Holly’s team members all come from the industry themselves, so onboarding and support come with real-world context.
As Holly said: “We’re not just here to take your subscription fee. We’re here to build a company of successful people and a successful industry.”
Final Takeaways for Business Owners
Holly’s story and insights carry a simple but powerful message: technology isn’t about bells and whistles. It’s about simplifying, scaling, and serving your customers better.
If you’re a cleaning business owner, here are the big takeaways from this episode:
Automate wherever possible. Let technology handle repetitive tasks so you can focus on growth.
Choose software that scales. Don’t settle for what works today, choose what will work when you’re 10x bigger.
Prioritize integrations. Connected systems save time, reduce errors, and boost efficiency.
Stay curious about AI. You don’t need to be an expert, but you do need to be aware.
Seek education, not just tools. The right software partner will teach, support, and grow alongside you.
At the end of the day, the cleaning industry may be rooted in hard, hands-on work but its future is being built in code, integrations, and innovation. And leaders like Holly Moore are making sure that future works for cleaning businesses of every size.
