Bob Armbruster: The Business of Clean

In this episode, Craig Castelli interviews Bob Armbruster, founder of Clean Team, who shares his journey from humble beginnings to building a nationwide janitorial company. Starting with just $5,000 in 1996, Bob grew his business from personally cleaning offices to operating 18 locations across the U.S., primarily through strategic acquisitions. He discusses key growth factors including joining industry associations, forming an advisory board, implementing EOS, and focusing on acquiring companies with strong teams and compatible cultures. Bob offers valuable insights on business perseverance, planning for eventual exit, and building a company that can thrive without its founder. Explore the full episode page to watch a video or read a transcript of the full interview.

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 0:27 Humble Beginnings: Starting Clean Team in 1996
• 4:09 Key Turning Points: Joining Industry Associations
• 7:36 Connection with Caber Hill Advisors
• 8:50 Creating a Board of Advisors
• 10:28 Implementing EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System)
• 12:50 Growth Through Acquisitions
• 14:37 Clean Team's Acquisition Profile
• 15:38 Planning for an Exit Strategy
• 18:17 Team Incentives and Business Structure
• 22:19 Advice for Business Owners: Perseverance and Planning