How A Mother-Daughter Team Built So-Cal Pro Cleaning Solutions Into A Commercial Partner

What if the final 10 percent of a project—those dusty vents, cloudy windows, and gritty baseboards—could be the easiest part of your day? We sit down with Melissa Ippolito of So-Cal Pro Cleaning Solutions to explore how a family-built company grew from residential roots into a reliable commercial partner that contractors, property managers, and office owners trust.

Melissa shares the company’s origin story, the decision to pivot toward offices and post-construction cleaning, and the systems that make “done” actually done. She breaks down the hidden complexity of professional cleaning: why HEPA vacuums matter for fine dust, when steam beats harsh chemicals, and how staged cleaning (top to bottom, high-touch to low) cuts rework. Along the way, we tackle stubborn myths—no, it’s not just mops and quick wipes—and talk through realistic timelines, product choices, and the difference between a quick tidy and a proper turnover.

We also dive into local marketing that works for service businesses. Referrals remain the engine, but Melissa shows how a basic website, Yelp reviews, and before-and-after videos on Instagram create social proof in minutes. Those assets become the bridge from loyal residential clients to property management companies and then to office accounts. It’s practical, steady growth powered by clear standards and a client-first mindset.

If you care about healthy workplaces, smooth handoffs after construction, and vendors who treat your space like their own, you’ll find a ton of value here. We wrap with So- Cal Pro’s contact info and a simple takeaway: consistent process plus genuine care turns cleaning into a strategic advantage. 

Instagram: @socalprocleaningsolutions_llc

If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—what detail do you look for to know a space is truly clean?

Episode Transcript

SPEAKER_01 (00:00):
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, a place for
local businesses and neighborsto come together.
Here's your host, Rachel Fai.

SPEAKER_03 (00:14):
Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast.
Now, if you're looking for acommercial cleaning service,
well, that resource is closerthan you think.
Today I have the pleasure ofintroducing your good neighbor,
Melissa Ippolito, with SoCalProCleaning Solutions.
Melissa, how is it going?

SPEAKER_00 (00:34):
Good, good.
Thank you for having us.

SPEAKER_03 (00:37):
Well, I'm excited, and we're excited to learn about
your business.
So tell us about your company.

SPEAKER_00 (00:42):
Well, my mom started it about 20 years ago.
First, she started asresidential cleaning.
And then we have clients thatshe's had for 20 years are
practically family.
But I tried my goal was to moveher business from residential to
more commercial.

(01:04):
And that's what I've been doing.

SPEAKER_03 (01:07):
Wonderful.
Well, you kind of touched uponit, how you got into uh this
type of business.
So do you want to expand onthat?
I would love to we'd love tohear more.

SPEAKER_00 (01:16):
Yes, um, I'm trying to expand more into getting more
uh uh offices.
Um I am working with somecontractors to clean up, like
you know, when they docontracting uh their their whole
jobs like flooring, painting,they do a lot of dust, and then
some of them just leave theresidential like that.

(01:37):
So I'm trying to focus more onlike teaming up with contractors
and come like my company comingin and getting that load off of
them because some of them justreturn the house like that.

SPEAKER_03 (01:50):
Oh my.
So what do you think are maybesome myths or misconceptions in
your industry?

SPEAKER_00 (01:55):
Um I swear some people think that it's easy.
They're like, why?
You're just dusting, you're justmopping.
No.
Um, when there's dust buildup,residue buildup, I have to get I
have to get steaming products,um, uh equipment.

(02:16):
It's not just getting a mop in alittle Swiffer and getting the
job done.
It actually takes time, a lot oftime.

SPEAKER_02 (02:24):
Well right, I but I can only imagine.

SPEAKER_03 (02:26):
So now, so we know marketing is really the heart of
every business.
So, how are you attracting newcustomers and clients?

SPEAKER_00 (02:35):
I feel like um it's always with our faithful c
clients that we always get umlike referrals, and then from
there referrals after referrals,and then then I started getting
referrals to property managementcompanies, and then from there
from people that own offices,and then from there it just kept

(02:58):
going.
But I do I am trying to moveforward on getting my I got my
Yelp account, uh, a website, um,our Instagram, and not really a
lot of movement there, but some.
At least people are able to seeour work because you know now
it's it's you always have toreview people's reviews on Yelp

(03:20):
and their work on the videosthat they post.
So that's why that's what I do.

SPEAKER_03 (03:26):
Wonderful.
Have you ever thought of doingyour own podcast?

SPEAKER_00 (03:29):
No, okay.

SPEAKER_03 (03:33):
Now, outside of work, what do you like to do for
fun?

SPEAKER_00 (03:36):
Um, me, uh something about me, I am current I majored
in public health uh and socialuh no um sciences, which I am
trying to go into nursingschool, but my passion right now
is like growing my mom'sbusiness because there's a lot
of potential and I've beenseeing a lot of growth.

(03:59):
So that's one of my goals, butusually I'm always studying for
nursing schools.

SPEAKER_03 (04:07):
I bet that's a lot, that's a lot.
So, Melissa, you know, pleasetell our listeners one thing
they should remember about SoCalPro Cleaning Solutions.

SPEAKER_00 (04:16):
Um, we are like a mom and pop.
Um, we a family-owned, we focuson our clients are never just a
client that we'll see and justnot pay attention to.
We'll always treat their homes,their offices, their anything
like it's our family, like it'sus doing the job for ourselves.

SPEAKER_03 (04:40):
Wonderful.
Well, how can our listenerslearn more about SoCal Pro
Cleaning Solutions?

SPEAKER_00 (04:46):
I have our Instagram and I have our phone number is
949-691-9255, and our email isso calprocleaning solutions.lc
at yahoo.com.
Um and we have our website too,www.socalprocleaning

(05:09):
solutions.com.
Um, aren't our Instagrams thesame thing?
Um sorry, sorry, let me lost youthere.
SoCal Pro Cleaning Solutions andthen a hyphen LLC.

SPEAKER_02 (05:24):
Wonderful.
I can't see you.
Did you do it?
We lost your video.
There you are, you're back.
You dropped out a sec.

SPEAKER_03 (05:29):
Well, Melissa, I really appreciate you being on
the show.
And you know, we really wish youand your and your business
really the best of luck movingforward.

SPEAKER_00 (05:38):
Thank you so much for the opportunity.

SPEAKER_03 (05:40):
You bet.

SPEAKER_01 (05:43):
Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor
Podcast.
To nominate your favorite localbusinesses to be featured on the
show.
Go to gnpordscounty.com.
That's gnt orgecounty.com.
Or call