As the owner of Optimal Cleaning Solutions, Richard Smith, CBSE, knows what it means to wear many hats. He and his wife, Samantha, founded the business in October 2021 with big dreams of creating positive change across the cleaning industry. Their company provides eco-friendly services tailored to businesses that value safety and sustainability, ensuring their methods are healthy for employees, clients, and the environment.
Like many small business owners, Smith has learned leadership through experience, juggling day-to-day operations while guiding a growing team. But for him, leadership isn’t something to leave to chance. It’s something to develop with intention. That mindset led him to join the Fox Cities Chamber’s Calumet County Leader Lab program.
Launched in Calumet County last August, the Chamber’s Leader Lab is a professional development program designed to cultivate leadership and culture-building skills among professionals at any career stage in the Fox Cities region.
“Many of us have learned leadership lessons from our life experiences without the benefit of formalized structure, practical application, or highly trained mentors,” said Jason Pausma, Economic Development Director for Calumet County. “Leader Lab provides wonderful resources, tools, and applications to strengthen, develop, and retain our leaders. It bolsters our talent pipeline, develops stronger teams, challenges emerging leaders, and motivates people looking for personal growth and deeper opportunities. We’re
excited to partner with the Fox Cities Chamber to offer this crucial program in Calumet County.”
Through a series of workshops, self-guided study, and networking opportunities, participants engage in experiences that expand their leadership capacity, strategic thinking, and personal growth. Since its inception, more than 80 area professionals have taken part in the program.
“I joined Leader Lab to work on my leadership skills, for personal growth, and to engage with other leaders in our communities,” Smith said. He entered with clear goals, but walked away with even more than he expected.
Smith says the program helped him evolve his leadership style. He began focusing more on active listening and asking open-ended questions to encourage thoughtful input. He also walked away with a renewed commitment to mission-driven leadership.
“One key takeaway for me was the idea that leaders maintain a never-ending focus on mission, culture, and excellence,” Smith said. “That reminder helped me breathe those principles more deliberately into our team—and into the identity of Optimal Cleaning Solutions.”
The program includes hands-on activities designed to build real-time skills and connections. One of the most memorable exercises for Smith was Lost at Sea, where participants ranked survival items individually, then worked together to agree on a group list. The activity blended critical thinking, communication, and teamwork in a way that stuck with him.
“It was not only fun but incredibly insightful,” he recalled. “Hearing the logic behind others’ rankings and then coming to consensus as a team helped me appreciate the value of different perspectives.”
While many participants came from larger organizations, Smith found that the diversity of experience enriched the conversations. Hearing the challenges faced by his corporate
peers gave him fresh perspective, and validated many of his own experiences as a small business owner.
Still, being the only business owner in the room came with some nerves.
“I was definitely nervous and a little intimidated at first,” he admitted. “But the atmosphere was incredibly welcoming, and I quickly realized that we all face similar challenges in leadership, regardless of company size.”
That sense of camaraderie made a lasting impression. For Smith, the program wasn’t just about learning new techniques, it was about building a support network and finding reassurance in shared experiences.
Today, he continues to apply those lessons by fostering a culture of pride and appreciation within his company.
“I want my team to feel proud of where they work and know they’re valued, not just professionally, but personally too,” he said.
Smith encourages other small business owners to consider the program, especially those who might feel unsure or intimidated.
“Don’t let fear or uncertainty get in the way,” he said. “There’s so much to gain from this experience if you come with an open mind.”
Looking back, he credits both the strong facilitation and the openness of his peers for creating a space where real learning, and real connection, could happen.
“Leader Lab helped me grow, both as a leader and a person,” he reflected. “And it reminded me that we’re never alone in the challenges we face, we just have to be willing to share them.”
The Chamber is currently seeking participants for the next cohort of Leader Lab. The next session begins August 13, with classes offered in both Calumet County and at the Fox Cities Chamber. For more information, visit: https://foxcitieschamber.com/leader-lab
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About the Fox Cities Chamber
The Fox Cities Chamber is a nonprofit business-to-business membership organization that unites the regional business community for greater economic impact. Serving Outagamie, Calumet, and northern Winnebago Counties, we are the second largest Chamber in Wisconsin and were named National Chamber of the Year in 2024. We also received a Wisconsin Innovation Award in the nonprofit category for our free membership level for small businesses.
Our organization proudly captures the energy of one of Wisconsin’s most dynamic regions and transforms it into innovative programs and services to champion employers, economic development, and quality of life. The Fox Cities Chamber celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2024. For more information, visit https://foxcitieschamber.com/.