How Can Cleaning Be A Good Online Business For Women? Remote Cleaner Crystal Forsythe Tells Us!

Have you ever thought of cleaning as a potential online business for women like you? Are you ready to move beyond the side hustle to a real career that fits into your family’s life? Believe it or not, having a cleaning business can be a flexible and profitable business where you never touch a cleaning tool!

Crystal Forsythe was there in 2023. She and her husband, Steven, had a housecleaning business, but they were feeling stuck. There was only so much of them to go around, but they had to handle every detail of their business. They were exhausted, and they had a small son to care for, too.

They wanted the advantages of a family business that could grow along with their family. Something that could provide security and a lasting legacy without taking all their time and energy.  And one that grew from the business they’d already built.

That’s where Home Services Academy (HSA) came in. Crystal and Steven enrolled in the program in 2023. The techniques and coaching helped Crystal (and many other women) create an online cleaning business model. 

 Now, Crystal and Steven run her business, Crystal Clean Services, remotely. They’ve learned how to automate effectively and hire the hands-on help they need. This means that now Crystal’s business is online. Like other women who joined HSA, Crystal has been able to step back and build the life she wants for her family.

Hi, Crystal!

Can you tell us about your life before you joined Home Service Academy?

Before joining HSA, Steven and I were running CCS Cleaning Services on our own — doing all the cleaning, managing the schedule, everything. We had a solid base of recurring clients, but we were completely caught up in the day-to-day work. We knew we couldn’t grow the business if we were always in the field. It was exhausting, and we started thinking bigger. That’s when Steven came across one of Johnny’s YouTube videos about scaling a cleaning company. It spoke to exactly where we were — ready to step out of the field and take on more of a leadership role.

What led you to explore the program?

We were really looking for a way to shift from working in the business to working on the business. We were tired, doing everything ourselves, and we knew something had to change. That YouTube video led us down a rabbit hole, and the more we learned about HSA, the more we felt like it was exactly what we needed.

How did you decide to join the program?

After watching several videos and seeing real success stories from other business owners in similar situations, we realized this wasn’t just another coaching group. It was a community. The structure, support, and accountability really stood out. We knew this was the kind of guidance we had been missing — so we made the decision and never looked back.

Did you have specific goals you wanted to achieve through your coaching?

Yes, our main goal was to get out of the field and build a team we could rely on. We wanted to grow a real business — not just create a job for ourselves. We also wanted to put systems in place for hiring, customer service, and scaling our recurring client base. Long-term sustainability was really important to us.

Want to hear more? Check out this video interview on Crystal and Steven’s experience with HSA!

Do you feel Home Service Academy helped you meet your goals?

Absolutely. We’re still growing, but even in the first few months, we saw big changes. We were able to step out of the field and begin delegating with confidence. HSA gave us the structure, mindset, and tools we needed to move forward.

What kind of cleaning did you start with?

We started with residential cleaning — mostly standard and deep cleans. Over time, we added move-in/move-out cleanings and later expanded to recurring services and post-construction work.

How did your business evolve during and after your active coaching?

During coaching, we created solid systems for hiring, onboarding, and client communication. We stopped seeing ourselves as just cleaners and started thinking and acting like business owners. After coaching, we’ve continued building on that foundation. Those systems have helped us grow while maintaining consistency and quality.

Has your family’s life changed due to what you learned in HSA? If so, can you tell us a little about how?

Definitely. Before HSA, we were constantly working and missing out on family time. Now, we have more freedom and flexibility. We’re still busy — it’s a business, after all — but not having to clean every day has made a huge difference in our home life and overall balance.

What was your favorite part of the program?

The community and support. Being connected with other business owners going through the same challenges was incredibly motivating. Also, the step-by-step layout of the program made everything feel doable and less overwhelming.

Is there something you think could be improved?

If anything, maybe more frequent live accountability calls. The content is great, but those live check-ins help you stay motivated and on track.

Is your business exclusively remote?

Yes, we’ve transitioned to running the business completely remotely. I can confidently say this model can work for parents or anyone who needs flexibility. As long as you have systems in place and build trust with your team, it’s absolutely possible.

What kind of issues have you encountered since you moved to a remote cleaning business?

The biggest challenges have been communication and quality control. When you’re not on-site, it’s so important to stay on top of follow-ups, client feedback, and setting clear expectations with contractors. Having solid systems helps a lot. I also have two amazing virtual assistants, Juliet and Melanie, who’ve made a huge difference. Their support lets me focus on big-picture tasks instead of getting stuck in daily details.

How do you find your service contractors (the people who do the cleaning)?

Mostly through Indeed and referrals. We’ve created a streamlined hiring process — from the job posting, to interviews, to onboarding — that helps us find reliable, motivated cleaners who take pride in their work.

What happens if something goes wrong — like a provider getting sick, or something being damaged on a site?

We always try to have backup cleaners available when possible. If someone calls out or something goes wrong, we respond quickly and stay in communication with the client. We carry insurance and make sure our team is trained to handle situations professionally. Client trust is everything, so we always aim to make it right.

When it comes to your business administration, do you do the work yourself, or have you hired assistance?

I’ve brought on help over time. I went through a few VAs at first but eventually built the right team. Juliet manages day-to-day operations, including contractor communication and issue resolution, and Melanie handles a lot of the sales and client messaging. Having them has made a huge difference in how smoothly the business runs.

About how many hours a week do you work?

It depends, but I’d say around 30 to 35 hours a week now. It used to be twice that when we were cleaning ourselves, so this feels much more balanced.

Can you take us through a typical day?

My day starts around 7:30 a.m. when I check in with Juliet to go over anything urgent or important for the day — all while I’m getting my son ready for school. Throughout the day, I check in as needed to make sure everything is running smoothly. I follow up with contractors, manage hiring, review invoices, and work on planning or business development tasks. I try to stay focused on strategy and let my team handle most of the daily operations.

Thank you, Crystal!

So, Could Remote Cleaning Be the Perfect Online Business for Women Like You?

It might not seem like cleaning could be a good online business for women. But, with Home Service Academy, Crystal and her husband were able to take their cleaning business remote. Now, instead of doing everything on their own and being exhausted, they have time to focus on their family and building their business. They know how to oversee their service providers, and Crystal has two virtual assistants to handle the day-to-day details.

Want to learn more about this unexpected online business women like Crystal are using to build better lives for themselves and their families? Check out this free mini-course from HSA and see if it’s a good fit for you and your family, too!