Ever wondered what “great design” looks like in a cleaning business?
This conversation with Stephanie Pipkin, founder of Serene Clean, shows how design thinking can transform any industry — even one as hands-on as cleaning.
We dive into how she built a $1.4 million cleaning business that runs remotely, and how she uses taste, empathy, and intentional design to create delight for both customers and employees.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
This conversation with Stephanie Pipkin, founder of Serene Clean, shows how design thinking can transform any industry — even one as hands-on as cleaning.
We dive into how she built a $1.4 million cleaning business that runs remotely, and how she uses taste, empathy, and intentional design to create delight for both customers and employees.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- How working with customers during design sprints can 10× your product decisions.
- What “taste” really means in business — and why it’s about intentionality, not aesthetics.
- How to turn ordinary customer experiences into delightful ones (yes, even with mops and checklists).
- Why delighting your team is as important as delighting your customers.
- The one SaaS onboarding process that completely changed how Stephanie runs her own company.
Steal these quick wins 💡
- Invite a real customer into your next design or strategy session — you’ll get clarity and speed you can’t find in a survey.
- Focus on show, don’t tell: let your brand’s actions and details speak louder than words.
- Add one small “unexpected moment” for your users — a thank-you note, a scent, or a tiny surprise that makes them smile.
Remember: delight doesn’t require budget, just thoughtfulness.
Chapters
06:17 Designing with Customer Feedback
09:22 The SOS Feature Development
12:21 Insights from Design Calls
15:22 The Impact of Design on Business
18:31 Understanding Product Development and Customer Needs
21:17 The Role of Taste in Business Branding
33:38 Show, Don't Tell: The Essence of Branding
37:18 Understanding the Customer: Empathy in Business
40:41 Delighting Customers: The Unexpected Touches
49:38 The UX of Employees: Internal Customer Experience
55:35 Favorite Tools: The Role of SaaS in Business
01:05:28 Personal Touch: How Small Details Matter