Chris Willatt, founder of Alpine Maids, joins Eunicia Peret to share his journey from working as a geologist to building a thriving residential cleaning business in Denver. What began with a Reddit thread and a single mop turned into a culture-driven company with over 45 employees. Chris opens up about the pivotal moment when his entire team walked out, how that forced him to evolve as a leader, and why self-awareness—not just systems—is key to scaling. From redefining leadership to setting energetic boundaries, Chris shares practical and personal lessons that apply to entrepreneurs across every industry.

Key Takeaways:

Start messy, improve later: Chris began Alpine Maids without a clear plan, learning as he went

Purpose beats profession: Leaving geology was scary, but serving people through cleaning gave him meaning

Leadership is personal: After losing his team, Chris realized he had to lead with emotional intelligence, not just metrics

Culture is the retention strategy: Care, consistency, and team safety became the pillars of Alpine Maids’ growth

Documenting who you are helps your team: Chris created a “What It’s Like to Work With Me” guide to improve communication

Your energy sets the tone: Chris leads with calm and clarity to build a thriving, respectful workplace

Boundaries fuel sustainability: Family dinners and solo bike rides are non-negotiables that help Chris stay centered

Redefine what’s possible: Chris constantly challenges his own mindset to push beyond past limitations

Timeline Summary:

[00:00:00] Intro and how Chris went from geology to residential cleaning

[00:02:00] Finding purpose in helping others through a humble business

[00:04:00] Reddit, mops, and the early hustle of building Alpine Maids

[00:06:00] What happened when almost his entire team quit

[00:08:00] Realizing leadership gaps and learning to show up differently

[00:10:00] Creating “What It’s Like to Work With Me” to support alignment

[00:12:00] How culture—not just pay—keeps people engaged

[00:14:00] Shifting from in-the-weeds to strategic leadership

[00:16:00] Using therapy, mentors, and books to grow as a person and CEO

[00:18:00] Importance of boundaries, routines, and emotional check-ins

[00:20:00] Lessons learned from hiring, firing, and rebuilding

[00:22:00] Advice for business owners struggling to scale

[00:24:00] Chris’s biggest mistake: confusing hustle with leadership

[00:26:00] Final thoughts on redefining goals and energy management