Rick Schott My Comeback Story

🎙️✨ In this powerful episode of Cleaning & Cocktails, we sit down with founder, turnaround CEO, and small business champion Rick Schott!

🚀 With over 35 years of experience in small business, Rick has built, scaled, sold, and—most recently—rescued a 30-year legacy company from near liquidation. As the CEO of Factory Cleaning Equipment, LLC (FCE), Rick led a remarkable comeback in 2025—reacquiring the company’s assets, restoring vendor relationships, and positioning the business for rapid profitability after a sudden ownership shakeup.

💪 When FCE faced dissolution following Jon-Don’s asset sale to Aramsco, Rick didn’t hesitate. Alongside key team members and investors, he stepped in to save the company he originally built—preserving jobs, partnerships, and a brand trusted for decades in the industrial cleaning space.

🔥 Rick also shares how FCE’s Bulldog Scrubber became the official scrubber of the CrossFit Games, showcasing the brand’s resilience and reliability on a national stage.

💡 From startup grit to executive leadership, Rick’s story is a masterclass in controlling your destiny, creating sustainable profitability, and building a company that serves your family—not just shareholders.

🎯 Whether you're a founder navigating growth, a business owner facing adversity, or an operator looking to sharpen your financial focus, this episode delivers real-world insight from someone who’s lived every stage of the entrepreneurial journey.

🌎 Based in Mooresville, NC, Rick continues to lead FCE’s expansion across Aurora, IL and the Charlotte Metro area—proving that resilience, relationships, and relentless focus on profitability win every time.

Connect with Rick:

🔗 LinkedIn – Rick Schott

🚀 Stay tuned for more stories of leadership, innovation, and growth from the frontlines of the commercial cleaning and facility services world.

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Creators and Guests

Host

Ricardo Regalado

What is Cleaning and Cocktails?

Welcome to Cleaning & Cocktails! I’m your host, Ricky Regalado CVO of Rozalado Services, Founder & CEO of Route.

In this show, we highlight the cleaning industry by sharing valuable stories, practical tips, and expert insights from cleaning business owners and professionals. Our mission is to elevate the cleaning sector and act as a guiding light for everyone involved.

So go ahead and grab your favorite Cocktail or Mocktail and enjoy the show as we dive into discussions that talk about the challenges and successes we all face. Our goal is to unite the community under a shared mission:
“We are building a **StrongerTogether Community**.”