230: Leaders with Heart Believe in Servant Leadership

by
Subscribe to the Leadership with Heart Podcast:

Jonathan Barnett is the founder and President of Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning, one of the nation’s fastest-growing carpet cleaning franchises. Founded in 2006, Oxi Fresh has nearly 500 locations across the United States and Canada and is adding many new franchises every year. Under his leadership, Oxi Fresh has received numerous awards and accolades from Entrepreneur Magazine, Inc. Magazine, Forbes Magazine, Franchise Times, Franchise Update Magazine, and other industry watchers. Much of this success is because of their style of leadership. Take a listen.

Leadership Podcast

Key Takeaways

  • One small idea can grow into a large business
  • Everyone starts small
  • Upside down servant leadership is discussed
  • Jonathan works to serve his people
  • Their values are to be Friendly, Respectful, Ethical, to provide Superior Service, and to Have Fun! (FRESH)

Jonathan Barnett’s Bio

Jonathan Barnett is the Founder and CEO of Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning. Through innovative products and modern technology, Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning offers green carpet cleanings and exceptional results. The company’s powerful combination of knowledgeable people, innovative technology, and strong processes has landed the brand in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500, ranked in Inc. magazine’s Inc. 500|5000, and saw them named as one of “America’s Best Franchises to Buy,” by Forbes magazine. Oxi Fresh has over 460 locations throughout the United States and Canada, with more locations currently in development. Oxi Fresh donates to Water.org with every appointment that customers schedule through the brand’s Online Scheduler. The proceeds go towards Water.org’s efforts to help families in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Even before they began working with Water.org, water was important to Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning. Through their low-moisture cleaning process, they’ve helped conserve tens of millions of gallons of water when compared to old-fashioned steam cleaning methods. The Oxi Fresh process requires only two gallons of water to clean a home instead of the 40-60 gallons required by many steam cleaners.

Mentions

Connect with Jonathan Barnett on LinkedIn

Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts

Listen to the podcast on Spotify

Becoming Unshakeable Podcast

With Heather R. Younger

Becoming Unshakable is the podcast for leaders, creators, and changemakers who know TRUE LEADERSHIP starts from within.

Each episode explores what it takes to lead with resilience, compassion, and purpose while staying human through it all.

Through candid conversations with executives, frontline leaders, coaches, and everyday heroes, Heather uncovers the real stories behind growth, compassion, setbacks, and transformation.

From navigating change to creating emotionally safe cultures, Becoming Unshakable reveals what it really takes to create leaders—and organizations—that can’t be shaken.

Listen Now >
Browse Episodes >
Hi, I'm Heather

I've been through every type of
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE
you can think of.

Layoffs, reorgs, mergers, acquisitions and major technology shifts. More than 20 years leading teams through high-stakes situations where results mattered, people depended on me, and decisions couldn't wait.

Those years taught me how to lead. But they also showed me the hidden cost of always being the one who holds it all together.

During our second reorg in less than a year, I walked out of a meeting with no say in what was happening, just marching orders. When my team asked how the meeting went, I should have said, “Give me 15 minutes to process this.” But I didn't. Instead, I let them absorb every ounce of my frustration.

Then I saw their faces.

The people who looked to me for stability had just watched me unravel. What was that teaching them about their ability to handle the pressure?

That moment changed how I saw my role as a leader. Leading teams isn't only about grit or resilience. It's about how your presence builds the trust your team needs to function when things get hard.

Today, I help organizations build unshakable leaders, teams, and cultures. Because when leaders become the calm teams can count on, organizations don't just survive change, they come out strong enough to handle what’s next.

Book Heather >
Heather Sitting
Heather_Younger_The_Cycle_of_Active_Listening_Guide

The Cycle of Active Listening

Create a listening culture that elevates the workplace experience for everyone.

Through this guide, uncover how to ensure those in your care at work feel heard and valued, resulting in increased loyalty and satisfaction.

  • Understand why listening is the key to improved engagement
  • Learn how the Cycle of Active Listening contributes to strong workplace relationships
  • Get a practical framework for creating a listening culture that is bidirectional, responsive, and supportive

Contact Heather Today!
+1 403-398-8488

Contact
Contact

I'm really interested in...

(select all that apply)*

I can be reached at...

Additional Comments

Contact Heather Today!
+1 403-398-8488

Contact
Contact

I'm really interested in...

(select all that apply)*

I can be reached at...

Additional Comments