Greg and Maria Brain Build Family Business With The Cleaning Authority Franchise

For Greg and Maria Jose Brain, entrepreneurship was never a question of if. It was always a matter of when. After years of building careers, raising a family, and exploring smaller ventures, the Dallas-based couple found the right opportunity to go all in on a business of their own.

“We have always wanted to start a business, but we had kids and never really had the time to dedicate to starting something new,” Greg said. “But we were always on the lookout.”

That search ultimately led them to The Cleaning Authority, the residential cleaning franchise backed by multi-brand home service franchisor Authority Brands, where they officially bought their existing franchise in 2024 and have since been building steady momentum.

Greg brought a strong operational foundation to the business. With a degree in mechanical engineering and a background spanning oil and gas, as well as 15 years in operations and supply chain management within the tech sector, he understood the structure needed to scale a business.

Foundational skills

Maria’s path complemented his perfectly. After moving to the U.S. from Argentina in 2005, she pursued her education, started a family, and explored entrepreneurship early on. “We actually did start a wine import business from Argentina, so we always knew we wanted a family business,” Maria said. “I got my real estate license, we moved to Dallas, and we started looking more for a full-time business.”

As they evaluated franchise opportunities, the Brains were drawn to the stability and structure of the residential cleaning industry, and the systems The Cleaning Authority had already built.

“The recurring revenue stream is a huge advantage,” Greg said. “The market itself means there will always be demand for home cleaning.”

Beyond demand, it was the brand’s established processes that helped solidify their decision. “The way in which The Cleaning Authority provides the training to the franchisees and the proprietary method that they use for cleaning the house were huge attractions for us,” Greg said.

For Maria, the operational tools and support systems were equally compelling. “The tools that they provide the franchise with were very valuable,” she said. “It really makes my life managing the office a lot easier. It also felt like a good fit because I love working in sales and working with people.”

Market advantages

The couple also recognized an opportunity to leverage their strengths within their market. With Maria’s bilingual capabilities and the strong Spanish-speaking workforce in Texas, they were able to build deeper connections with both employees and customers.

While entrepreneurship can often feel isolating, the Brains say The Cleaning Authority’s collaborative franchise network has made a meaningful difference in their journey.

“The coaching network that we have is great — we have people who are seasoned that can share best practices across the franchisee network,” Greg said. “Everyone is more than willing to have a conversation with you and tell you what worked for them.”

That built-in support system has helped them navigate challenges, implement new ideas, and continue building momentum with confidence.

Family involvement

And for the Brains, their franchise is more than just a business — it’s a family effort. “Maria’s dad is also from Argentina, and he lives here in Dallas,” Greg said. “He is an inspector for the business, and he is highly engaged. He really took on The Cleaning Authority's ways as his own.”

“My sister is a customer service employee, and we have a 17-year-old daughter who works with us in the summer as well,” Maria added. “Our 13-year-old son also helps around the office from time to time.”

Since taking over in 2024, the Brains have already seen measurable growth, and they’re just getting started. “When we took over, we had about 510 customers, and we are up to 545 now,” Greg said. “So we’ve grown our customer base, and we are seeing great demand.”

Future growth

Looking ahead, the couple is focused on scaling responsibly. “It’s all about growing without losing quality and trying to be smart as well,” Maria said.

Long-term, they see significant opportunity in their territory and hope to gradually transition into more strategic roles within the business,” Maria said.

For Greg and Maria, The Cleaning Authority has provided the structure, support, and opportunity they needed to finally bring their entrepreneurial vision to life.

With a growing customer base, a strong team, and a family-first approach, they are building more than just a successful business — they are creating a long-term foundation for growth, stability, and shared success.