Leadership: How Bee Line Commercial, transformed into a Medical-Grade Cleaning Co.

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In this podcast, join John and Greg as they interview, CEO Jamie Henry who won a 19th Annual Enterprising Women of the Year Award, one of the most prestigious recognition programs for women business owners in the U.S. and globally!

She never expected that purchasing her father's small janitorial business would lead to building Bee Line Support – now a powerhouse in medical-grade cleaning with 600 employees managing 3 million square feet across three states. What makes this success story remarkable isn't just growth, but how she's turned an industry known for high turnover into a model of employee retention and development.

The secret? A revolutionary approach to leadership development. While most cleaning companies struggle with constant staff churn, Beeline boasts executives who started pushing mops 19 years ago. "I built the company on our number one mission - to promote from within and provide frontline workers opportunities for advancement," Jamie explains. This philosophy has created remarkable stability and expertise throughout the organization.

Beeline doesn't just talk about development – they've invested in extraordinary resources to make it happen. Their Chicago headquarters features a state-of-the-art training center with mock exam and operating rooms where employees master specialized healthcare cleaning protocols. Their "Beeline University" program offers courses beyond cleaning skills, developing well-rounded professionals ready for advancement. When combined with competitive wages, recognition programs, and a culture built on listening and respect, these initiatives have dramatically improved retention in an industry where keeping staff is typically challenging.

Perhaps most telling about Beeline's positive culture is how it attracts talent – not just through employee referrals, but even from their clients. Jamie shared how a customer from a surgical center was so impressed with their work that he approached her at a client appreciation dinner about joining the team. When an opportunity arose, his 18 years of healthcare experience became a valuable asset to Beeline's growth.

Want to transform your own leadership approach? Jamie's advice is refreshingly simple: "Remember what it was like to be in their shoes - be the manager you needed when you were starting out." This empathetic foundation, combined with systematic development opportunities, has enabled Beeline to clean up not just facilities, but the entire approach to leadership in their industry.

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Presented by John Wandolowski and Greg Powell