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:

• 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

00:00 Introduction to Serene Clean and ZenMaid 
03:40 The Retreat Experience and Collaboration

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