Based in Yorba Linda, California, Shawn Tillitt serves as CEO and president of Jet Clean Janitorial, Inc., where he delivers a full range of reliable, effective cleaning services. Focused on commercial buildings, his team has equipment on hand such as machine scrubbers that can get even the heaviest-use floors clean. Shawn Tillitt also maintains power washing equipment and tackles exterior elements such as awnings and windows. His team also cleans hood filters and stainless steel equipment in restaurant kitchens.
Mr. Tillitt regularly takes on outdoor assignments, such as the power washing of swimming pools, tennis courts, and playgrounds. Focused on fitting services within client budget requirements, he offers no-cost consultations and estimates. Jet Clean Janitorial, Inc., has attained industry recognition in the building maintenance category through the Yorba Linda Award Program.
A California State University, Fullerton, graduate, Mr. Tillitt holds a criminal justice degree and has attained CPR life-saving qualifications. Among the nonprofits he supports is the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. He has also contributed to efforts to raise funds for local youth athletics organizations.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
A typical day for me starts early. I like to get ahead of things before the world fully wakes up. I review our schedules, check in with our crews, and make sure everyone has what they need to deliver top-level service. Communication is huge for me—a quick call or message can prevent a dozen problems later.
From there, my day is a mix of customer visits, quality checks, team support, and planning future work. I stay in close contact with our clients because their needs drive everything we do. If an issue pops up, I don’t let it sit—I handle it immediately. That keeps the workflow clean and the trust strong.
What makes my day productive is staying proactive instead of reactive. I prioritize what actually matters, I stay organized, and I’m not afraid to roll up my sleeves when something needs doing. At Jet Clean, nothing is “someone else’s job.” If a customer needs help or a team member needs backup, I’m there.
That mindset—being present, communicating clearly, and acting fast—keeps the entire operation running smoothly and keeps our customers happy.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I bring ideas to life by keeping things simple: see the need, build the plan, and execute without dragging my feet. When I notice an opportunity to improve something—whether it’s a process, a service, or the way we communicate—I act on it quickly.
First, I break the idea down into clear steps. I look at what resources we need, who should be involved, and what the outcome should look like. I’m big on communication, so I make sure everyone on the team understands the “why” behind the idea. When people know the purpose, they take pride in the work.
After that, it’s all action. I don’t let good ideas sit on the shelf. At Jet Clean, we test, adjust, and refine as we go. If something works, we scale it. If it needs improvement, we tweak it until it’s right.
For me, bringing ideas to life is all about momentum. Stay focused, stay flexible, and follow through—that’s how we keep Jet Clean moving forward and delivering better results for our customers every day.
What’s one trend that excites you?
One trend that really excites me is the push toward smarter, more proactive cleaning solutions—especially the combination of better technology and better communication in facility care.
Tools like digital inspection apps, real-time reporting, and automated scheduling aren’t just “nice to have” anymore. They’re allowing companies like Jet Clean to respond faster, stay more accurate, and give customers complete transparency. I’m all for anything that strengthens accountability and raises the bar on quality.
What excites me most is that this trend lines up perfectly with how I already like to operate: stay ahead of issues, keep clients informed, and deliver consistent results. The technology just helps us do it faster and with less friction.
At the end of the day, anything that improves trust, efficiency, and service quality—I’m on board. And this trend is pushing the entire industry in the right direction.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
One habit that keeps me productive is staying ahead of the day instead of letting the day run me. I plan early, communicate early, and get out in front of potential issues before they have a chance to slow anything down.
Every morning, I take a few minutes to look at our schedule, check in with my team, and prioritize what needs attention first. That small routine keeps everything tight and organized. It also lets me stay flexible—if something urgent comes up, I already know exactly how to adjust.
This habit saves time, reduces stress, and keeps our service levels consistent. When you’re proactive instead of reactive, you stay in control, and that’s been a game changer for me and for Jet Clean’s performance.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I’d tell my younger self to trust your instincts and stop overthinking what other people might think. You already know what hard work looks like, you know what doing the right thing feels like, and you know when something isn’t working—listen to that.
I’d also remind myself that mistakes aren’t failures. They’re part of the process. Every setback teaches you something if you stay focused and keep moving. Don’t rush, don’t cut corners, and don’t be afraid to take on challenges that feel too big. That’s where you grow.
And most importantly: stay consistent, keep your word, and treat people right. Those habits will carry you further than anything else.
That’s the advice I wish I really understood earlier—it would’ve saved me a lot of stress and pushed me forward even faster.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
I believe that most problems in business aren’t really problems—they’re communication gaps. A lot of people think challenges come from lack of manpower, not enough time, or difficult customers. I don’t buy that. Nine times out of 10, the issue started because someone didn’t say what needed to be said early enough.
I’ve learned that when you communicate clearly, directly, and without sugarcoating anything, everything else becomes manageable. Expectations are clearer, teams move faster, and clients stay happier. But not everyone sees it that way—some people think communicating that openly is too blunt or unnecessary.
From my experience, it’s the opposite. Honest communication solves almost everything and avoiding it creates almost every problem. That’s a hill I’ll stand on whether people agree with me or not.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
The one thing I do over and over—and recommend to everyone—is follow through immediately. If something needs to be handled, I don’t let it sit. Whether it’s a customer request, a team concern, or a small detail that’s off, I take care of it right away.
People underestimate how much momentum and trust you build by simply doing what you said you’d do when you said you’d do it. It keeps things clean, keeps stress down, and keeps you in control of your day instead of constantly playing catch-up.
If you want to be more effective in work and in life, don’t push tasks to “later.” Handle them now. That simple habit will put you ahead of most people without even trying.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed or unfocused, I step back and simplify everything. I look at what’s actually important and strip out all the noise. Usually, there are only one or two things that truly matter in that moment, so I lock in on those first.
I also get moving—physically. Whether it’s walking a site, checking in with a customer, or talking things through with my team, action clears my head. Sitting still and stewing over problems only makes them bigger.
Most of the time, overwhelm comes from trying to juggle too much at once. So, I slow the chaos down, put things in order, and tackle them one by one. That resets my focus and gets the momentum going again.
It’s not complicated, but it works every time.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
One strategy that’s made a huge difference for me is showing up in person—consistently. In a world where everyone tries to handle everything through email or texts, I make it a point to be physically present for clients and my team.
When I visit job sites, talk face-to-face with customers, and check in with crews, three things happen:
1. I catch issues early—before they turn into real problems.
2. People feel valued and supported, which builds loyalty on both sides.
3. Trust grows, because clients see I’m not just a name on a contract—I’m involved.
This strategy has helped Jet Clean grow because it sets us apart. While competitors rely on distance, I rely on presence. Customers remember the company that shows up. Employees respect the leader who stands beside them, not behind them.
Being present takes more time and effort, but it’s paid off in stronger relationships, better service, and long-term partnerships that drive real growth.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
One failure that stands out early in my career was trusting that everything was fine on a job site just because I wasn’t hearing complaints. I assumed silence meant success—and it didn’t. A small issue went unnoticed, turned into a bigger one, and I had an unhappy customer on my hands. That was on me.
To overcome it, I owned the mistake immediately. I met with the customer face-to-face, listened to their concerns, and fixed the problem the right way. I also put new systems in place: more check-ins, tighter communication with my team, and direct follow-ups with clients.
The lesson was a big one: don’t wait for problems to find you—go find them first. Being proactive isn’t optional in this industry. If you’re not checking the details, you’re already falling behind.
That failure changed the way I operate. It taught me to stay present, stay accountable, and never assume anything is handled until I’ve seen it myself. That mindset has strengthened Jet Clean and helped us build the reputation we have today.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A business idea I’ll gladly give away is a specialized facility readiness service focused on helping companies prepare for inspections, client visits, audits, or big presentations. It’s not full janitorial—it’s a niche add-on service that fills a gap most businesses struggle with.
Here’s how it works:
You come in before a scheduled event and handle all the touch-up work that makes a building look sharp, fast:
• Detail cleaning of lobbies, break rooms, offices, and restrooms.
• Spot-checking carpets and floors.
• Fingerprints, smudges, and high-touch surfaces.
• Last-minute trash removal.
• Quick fixes like straightening signage, restocking supplies, or tightening up presentation areas.
• Small but important visual details—the stuff people actually notice.
It’s a high-value, low-cost service that businesses love because it reduces their stress and ensures their space looks its best when it matters most.
You can charge premium “rush-ready” rates because you’re selling peace of mind, not just labor. And it doesn’t require heavy equipment or a big operation to get started—just reliability, speed, and attention to detail.
Most janitorial companies don’t offer this because they’re focused on routine schedules, but the demand is absolutely there. Someone who executes this well could build a solid business fast.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
One piece of software that really boosts my productivity is a digital inspection and task-management app (like Swept or CleanTelligent). I use it to keep our operations tight and make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
It lets me:
• Track quality checks in real time.
• Assign tasks directly to team members.
• Document issues with photos.
• Communicate instantly with crews.
• Review client-specific notes before walking into a site.
The big advantage is clarity—everyone knows what needs to be done, what’s been completed, and what needs attention right now. It replaces guesswork with accountability.
Using this tool keeps Jet Clean organized, responsive, and consistent. It helps me stay ahead of problems, support my team better, and provide customers with the level of service they expect from us.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
The best $100 I’ve spent recently was on supplies to refresh one of our team’s cleaning kits—simple things like new microfiber cloths, upgraded sprayers, and better organization pouches. Nothing flashy, just practical tools that make our crew’s job easier and faster.
Why was it the best? Because small upgrades make a big impact in this business. When my team has quality tools, they perform better, feel more confident, and take pride in their work. It shows up in the results, and customers notice it too.
For me, that $100 wasn’t an expense—it was an investment in the people who keep Jet Clean running strong every day.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One resource I’ve gotten a lot of value from is the book Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. What I like about it is simple: it cuts through the noise and focuses on accountability, discipline, and leadership you can actually use in real life—not theory.
The idea that everything starts with taking ownership hit home for me. In business, especially in a service-focused company like Jet Clean, the standard is set from the top. If something goes wrong, you own it. If something needs improvement, you lead it. That mentality makes you stronger, builds trust, and sharpens your whole team.
I appreciate the no-excuses approach because it lines up with how I run things: communicate clearly, take responsibility, and act fast. It’s helped me become a better leader and has shaped the culture I want at Jet Clean.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
A series I recently enjoyed is The Terminal List. I like it because it’s intense, straightforward, and focused on discipline, grit, and loyalty—qualities I respect. The story moves fast, there’s no fluff, and the main character has that relentless mindset of figuring things out and pushing through, no matter how tough it gets.
It’s the kind of show that reminds you how important focus, determination, and responsibility are—traits that translate directly into leadership and business. On top of that, it’s just flat-out entertaining and keeps you hooked from start to finish.
Key learnings
- Effective leadership in a service business comes from proactive communication, consistent follow-through, and being physically present for both customers and team members.
- Small operational habits—like early planning, immediate action, and hands-on involvement—make a significant impact on productivity and overall service quality.
- Accountability and problem-solving improve dramatically when leaders confront issues directly instead of waiting for them to escalate.
- Business growth is driven by building trust, maintaining strong relationships, and delivering reliability day after day.
- Success often comes from simple disciplines: staying organized, acting quickly, and focusing on what truly matters instead of getting overwhelmed by noise.