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Episode Summary
What does it actually take to build a commercial cleaning business that runs without you?
In this episode of the Business of Cleaning Podcast, we sit down with Edwin Eaton, owner of I Pro Building Services and three-time Inc. 5000 honoree, to talk systems, culture, personal branding, and the real story behind stepping away from your business when life forces your hand.
Edwin has worked roughly one week a month for years. In this episode, he breaks down exactly how he got there and what most cleaning business owners get wrong when they think they have systems in place.
In this episode, you will learn:
- The three core systems every commercial cleaning business needs to operate without the owner
- How Edwin’s company grew while he stepped away to care for his wife during her battle with stage four cancer
- The hockey rink ad that turned into nearly 100 data center cleaning contracts
- How to break into the data center cleaning niche and land large commercial accounts
- Why Edwin generated close to $1.8 million in sales from LinkedIn without spending a dollar on ads
- How he built a 15,000-follower TikTok audience from his truck with no marketing team
- What commercial cleaning business owners get wrong about social media — and what actually works
- The leadership mindset that keeps great employees around long-term
- Edwin’s advice for owners who want more freedom without sacrificing growth
Whether you run a BSC, want to scale into new commercial cleaning niches, or are ready to stop being the bottleneck in your own business, this episode is packed with practical takeaways you can put to work immediately.
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Featured Guest:
Edwin Eaton
Owner, iPro Building Services
Edwin Eaton started iPro Building Services in 2013 in Wenatchee, Washington, and has grown it into a three-time Inc. 5000 company. In 2025, he was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the NCW Tech Alliance. iPro specializes in commercial cleaning, with a portfolio that now includes nearly 100 data center contracts.
Edwin has built his business around strong systems, people-first culture, and a leadership model designed to run without him in the room — a philosophy that proved itself when he stepped back to care for his wife during her battle with stage four cancer. She has since rung the bell.
Beyond the business, Edwin is a recognized voice in the commercial cleaning industry, with a growing presence on LinkedIn and a TikTok following of 15,000. He is a die-hard Seattle Seahawks fan and proud supporter of his alma mater, the University of Washington.
