Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Tognacci.
Matthew, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The idea for this company started about two years ago in 2015-16. I was 18 years old and about to enroll in college when I pressure washed my mom’s driveway. Soon after cleaning hers, I did my neighbor’s driveway and started thinking how desperately there is a need for these services in Houston as well as how lucrative such a demand could be.
I resumed my schooling with no real plunge into developing a “business” per say, but continued doing random cleanings for neighbors via word of mouth. At 20 years old, I had completed a few driveways, was enrolled full-time and on the Dean’s list at my local college and employed at a local restaurant that was a great environment, but did not fit my inner need to excel personally as well as make a difference in day-to-day living.
The first real step that was taken in starting the business was putting together a website. This was done on my school computer and catapulted me into taking further action. The next steps taken were to set up an LLC and begin acquiring the necessary equipment to do bigger and higher-paying jobs.
The first month in operation was spent by doing a lot of research and making, as well as learning from mistakes. We spent money on things that were unnecessary, unfruitful or not properly planned out. One thing that Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale said in a commencement address, and that has been very true is, “Sometimes we win, sometimes we learn.” These words have been sincerely inspirational and kept a fire burning in our hearts when life requires tenacity; which a quality life rarely does not.
Our second and third months in operation were backed by very minimal sleep, nose-to-grindstone action, and incredible amounts of aid and insight from other company owners and mentors that I have been blessed with the opportunity to be acquainted with. These two months were spent getting more and better equipment (we outgrew the old stuff very quickly) and learning how to market our company in Houston’s bountiful market.
We are nearing the end of our fifth month in operation and have gotten the opportunity to serve approximately 60 home and business owners. There have been so many things that I would like to include in this interview; challenges, insights, inspirations, and victories, but hopefully there will be a chance to talk about these later on. We would love to share our experiences and insight with any other local business owners who are just starting out and would be interested in hearing more about our experience.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
What a wonderful question to follow with! The road has been difficult, but a pure joy all throughout! Nothing is too difficult if it is something that you’re passionate about.
Between the personal mentors acquired along the way, the kudos from clients we’ve served, or the many other local businesses that have played an incredible part in our success, we have certainly had a gracious and blessed experience walking along the “path.” We have been blessed to start a company in such a market such as Houston’s where regular exterior cleaning is a must. Of course, as a small business there is fear, insecurity, and embarrassment that comes up, but these are things that every business will experience when it starts out.
As I have mentioned before, we have been extremely blessed with the opportunity to receive aid from other local entrepreneurs and business owners along the way. When teams work together, there is a not a whole lot that cannot be overcome.
Sunny Pressure Washing – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We love it when this question comes up. Obviously, we offer pressure washing services, but that is not truly what our company offers because at the end of the day, anybody can pressure wash. What our company really offers is a convenient experience, extremely high quality exterior cleaning and dependability.
We offer a sort of all-in-one package to our residential clients, this is where the convenience comes in. Homeowners shouldn’t have to spend all day getting quotes and waiting around for contractors to show up to do three different things that can all be done by us. Our residential services include pressure washing, roof cleaning, house washing, gutter cleaning, and window cleaning. We pride ourselves on being able to take one home, and literally transform it entirely with just one visit.
Sunny Pressure Washing is a company that you will be able to call next year and we will answer the phone. We are a company that will come out at 11PM to clean an entrance at your hotel the day before a convention.
We pride ourselves by going above and beyond in our delivery of customer satisfaction. We have spent over 48-hours working to get a property ready for their inspection coming up in three days. There was one time that we broke a sprinkler head while working on a deck in the backyard, and you had better believe that SPW came back Sunday morning and replaced the sprinkler head at no additional charge.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Well there are two things that SPW seeks to do:
1. Make a difference.
2. Make an income.
If we are doing one of those things, we are okay, if we are doing two, we are splendid.
Contact Info:
- Address:11535 Meadow Lake Dr. Houston, TX 77077
- Website:www.sunnypressurewashing.com
- Phone:8326222924
- Email:sunnypressurewashing@gmail.com
- Facebook:https://m.facebook.com/SunnyPressureWashingLLC/?ref=bookmarks
- Yelp:https://m.yelp.com/biz/sunny-pressure-washing-houston-2
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
