Building a Legacy Under Pressure
When JC Crawford, the founder of JC’s Pressure Washing, decided to step into the world of entrepreneurship, he wasn’t just looking for a job; he was seeking a way to rewrite his family’s story. Raised by a single mother in Florida, he experienced financial struggles early on, which forged a relentless work ethic.
A Drive Rooted in Family
Entrepreneurship was already in his blood as both his father and grandfather ran a body shop in a small Mississippi town. Growing up, he witnessed the dual reality of business ownership: the freedom to lead a team and make big decisions, countered by the grueling reality of tight margins and late nights. While those challenges initially pushed him toward traditional employment, including stints washing cars and working at McDonald’s, he eventually realized that a traditional college and career path didn’t align with his personal goals.
His motivation was fueled by a deep desire for stability and a mission to retire his father, who continues to work while battling Crohn’s Disease and Lupus. After a difficult night working as a restaurant busser, he reached a breaking point and launched his company with just $29 to his name. What followed was eighteen months of 80-hour workweeks, reinvesting every cent back into the business to build a better future.
Navigating the Business Coast with SBDC
While his drive was unmistakable, the technicalities of business administration—navigating LLCs, DBAs, EINs, and complex licensing requirements—almost stopped the company before it truly began. Following a recommendation from his D.I.T. teacher, Mrs. Renfroe, he connected with the Florida SBDC at UWF.
JC walked into his first meeting with consultant Christa Wilson feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. To his relief, the SBDC provided the clarity he needed at no cost. “I walked into that meeting overwhelmed,” JC recalls. “Forty-five minutes later, I walked out with a legitimate business: an LLC registered with the state, a DBA under my preferred company name, an EIN, and a clear path to opening my first business bank account.”
The SBDC’s professional guidance turned JC’s confusion into momentum, removing the guesswork from the startup process. ”I know how to wash buildings, I do not know how to do the paperwork stuff. After we got out of that meeting, it just made everything so much easier. I couldn’t be more grateful for the SBDC.”
Washing Away the Doubt
Today, the company continues to grow, washing homes, commercial properties, and even Jim Spooner Field at the University of West Florida. While the financial pressures of business ownership remain, JC now operates with the confidence that the company’s success is entirely in his own hands. For him, the sacrifices of lost sleep and facing rejection are worth the opportunity to live out the dream he had as a 17-year-old.
By leveraging the expertise of the SBDC, he has been able to keep his focus on what matters most: building a stable legacy and a better life for his family.
To find out more about JC’s Pressure Washing and their pressure washing services, visit shinewithjc.com and connect with them on social media.
Ready to start your own entrepreneurial journey? Connect with the Florida SBDC at UWF for comprehensive support at no cost. Our experienced team provides the same guidance that helps local business owners turn their vision into a reality.