From Side Hustle to Scalable Success

Hi, I’m Sam Dewar, and I want to tell you the story of how Carolina Cleaning Boys grew from a simple weekend idea into a thriving, student-run business with big ambitions.

It all started in 2024, when my friends Nick and Zach and I noticed a problem we’d all experienced: hiring contractors felt risky. They showed up late, rushed the job, or sometimes disappeared entirely. In the pressure washing industry, over 80% of companies are solo operators with residential-grade equipment, no systems, no backups, and no accountability. That’s why 85% fail within two years. We knew there had to be a better way.

We started small. One machine. Door-to-door sales. Weekends only. By the end of that first summer, we generated $35,000 in revenue, but more importantly, we learned what customers really wanted: trust, consistency, and someone who truly cared about their property. Listening to stories of damaged siding, broken shutters, and missed appointments made it clear: the industry wasn’t missing equipment, it was missing human relationships. That became our mission.

In 2025, we decided to scale without sacrificing the trust we had built. We invested over $15,000 in professional-grade equipment, trained new team members, secured our first commercial contracts, and officially rebranded as Carolina Cleaning Boys. By the end of that year, we grossed over $105,000, more than tripling our previous revenue, and earned over 100 five-star reviews. Every job met our standards, every customer was satisfied, and we proved that a student-run business could deliver professional results.

But I knew we couldn’t stop there. Over winter break, I led the effort to build our own Customer Relationship Management system, launched a new website, optimized our Google Business profile, and created targeted ad funnels. In just four weeks, even during the winter slow season, we generated over $20,000 in qualified leads. Systems were in place. Demand was proven. We were ready to grow.

Our vision isn’t just about cleaning properties, it’s about restoring trust in local service businesses, investing in Greenville, and providing students like me real opportunities to earn money while gaining business experience. That’s why 10% of our revenue goes directly to local nonprofits.

Looking forward, our BHAG is to reach $250,000 in revenue this year. We plan to reinvest $50,000 into company vehicles, onboard four new team members through our customized training program, and continue giving back to our community. Month by month, we have a clear path to success, 100k in Q2, 175k in Q3, and 250k in Q4, without cutting corners or sacrificing the customer experience.

Carolina Cleaning Boys is proof that with vision, persistence, and a focus on people, even a weekend side hustle can grow into a scalable, professional business. For me, this journey has been about more than revenue, it’s about trust, relationships, and the opportunity to build something meaningful that impacts our city and fellow students. And this is just the beginning.