Through The Noise

Trevor Steel

Welcome to "Through the Noise with Trevor Steel," where honesty meets entrepreneurship. Join Trevor Steel, the owner of Clean Image Pressure Washing and Steel Realty, for candid and heartfelt conversations with fellow business owners and inspirational stories of triumph. In each episode, Trevor delves deep into the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of entrepreneurship with successful entrepreneurs with stories of their own. From the trenches of starting up to the heights of success, Trevor and his guests share unfiltered stories of resilience, perseverance, and the hard-earned lessons learned along the way. No topic is too taboo as they explore the challenges of building and sustaining businesses in today's ever-changing landscape. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur seeking validation in shared experiences or an aspiring founder in need of guidance, "Through the Noise" offers a raw and authentic look into the realities of business ownership. Tune in to discover the human side of entrepreneurship and find inspiration in the journeys of those who have dared to chase their dreams.

  1. Sep 28

    Episode 36. Ben Mazurkiewicz and Nick Tan - Outside Leads

    🎙️ Episode 36 - Cracking the Code on Lead Generation, AI Estimating, and Building a Marketing System That Actually Converts In this episode of Through the Noise, I sit down with Ben and Nick from Outside Leads, a marketing agency that works exclusively with outdoor lighting companies, to talk through what it actually takes to turn ad spend into booked jobs. We get into cost per lead, cost per appointment, close rate, and why cost per acquisition is the number that matters most when you are trying to figure out if your marketing is actually working. We also dig into the AI tool I built for my pressure washing and lighting businesses, an estimator that lets my lead techs walk a homeowner through picture based package pricing right in the driveway, complete with automatic renderings and instant quotes. Ben and Nick share what they are seeing across the outdoor lighting industry with landing pages, branding, drip campaigns, and why personal content still outperforms polished ads. The conversation covers a lot of ground, from the psychology of yard signs to why demand for permanent and holiday lighting only grows the earlier you get ads running. In this episode, we cover: Cost per lead, cost per appointment, and close rate, and why cost per acquisition is the true north star metricHow lead qualification and financial filtering affect close rate and overall ROIBuilding a custom AI powered estimating tool for on site, picture integrated package pricingWhy renderings and visual pricing tools convert better than unsolicited full house bidsThe role of a digital agency versus the business owner's responsibility after the lead comes inHow landing pages, branded content, and custom scripts work together to build trustThe strange effectiveness of yard signs despite going against premium branding instinctsUsing drip campaigns and follow up systems without falling into spam territoryWhy niche positioning as an outdoor lighting specialist builds more trust than a general home service brandComparing AI tools like Claude, Manus, and Victor AI for planning versus executionWhy personal, authentic content still beats over produced or AI generated adsThe urgency around starting Christmas and holiday lighting campaigns early in the season Whether you run a home service business, manage marketing for one, or are trying to figure out how AI fits into your sales process, this episode is full of practical insight on lead generation, conversion, and building systems that scale. 👉 Don't miss this episode of Through the Noise with Ben and Nick from Outside Leads if you want to sharpen your marketing, your sales process, and your bottom line. If you are interested in growing your outdoor lighting business, Outside Leads takes care of Facebook and Instagram ads, SEO, website design, and AI automated follow-up so no lead slips through. They help you build brand presence and turn strategy into real, measurable growth. Schedule your free discovery call at: https://outsideleads.com/ #ThroughTheNoise #OutsideLeads #OutdoorLighting #PermanentLighting #DigitalMarketing #LeadGeneration #AI #HomeServices #SmallBusiness #Sales #Entrepreneurship #ChristmasLighting #BusinessGrowth #MarketingStrategy

    Episode 36. Ben Mazurkiewicz and Nick Tan - Outside Leads
  2. Sep 7

    Episode 35. The Summit Mastermind Cabo 2026 Sneak Peak

    🎙️ Episode 35 - Cabo Summit Preview: Home Service Leaders on AI, Branding, Family and Building Something That Lasts In this episode of Through the Noise, I bring together five speakers from this year's Summit Mastermind in Cabo San Lucas for a roundtable conversation. Carlos Gonzales, founder of the Summit Mastermind and a soap manufacturer with almost 30 years in pressure washing, joins Mike Alvarado from Top Rep, Jonathan Cater from The Creator's Lab, Reggie Brock from Propel Cultural OS, and Clint Reynolds, president of the Power Washers of North America. We go around the table and talk about what each of these guys is bringing to the stage this year, from the weight business owners carry before they scale, to the cost of assumptions in sales, to building a company culture people do not want to leave. Along the way, everyone shares their personal superpower, and the stories behind them get real fast, covering everything from ADHD and growing up in foster care to becoming a systems thinker and connector. The conversation also turns into a deep discussion on AI and personal branding. John makes the case that AI can replicate content but cannot replicate lived experience, and that people connect with imperfection, not polish. We talk about where AI actually helps a business owner and where it can quietly erode what makes a brand human in the first place. In this episode, we cover: A preview of the Summit Mastermind in Cabo San Lucas and what makes it different from a typical conferenceThe weight business owners and their families carry before scalingWhy assumptions cost more than deals, they cost trust and reputationUsing personal branding and packaging to bring customers through the doorBuilding a company culture people do not want to leaveBalancing business success with family life without sacrificing one for the otherEach speaker's personal superpower and the story behind itThe state of the pressure washing industry from a nationwide surveyWhy AI can never fully replace personal storytelling and human connectionWhere AI genuinely helps a business owner and where it falls shortThe value of building relationships before stepping into a classroom or conference settingWhat to expect from the Summit Mastermind itinerary, including ATV rides, fishing and scuba diving before the sessions begin Whether you are in pressure washing, home services, sales, or personal branding, this episode is packed with insight on leadership, culture, storytelling and what it really takes to grow a business without losing the people around you. 👉 Don't miss this episode of Through the Noise as we get you ready for the Summit Mastermind in Cabo San Lucas. #ThroughTheNoise #SummitMastermind #Cabo #HomeServices #PressureWashing #PersonalBranding #AI #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #Sales #CompanyCulture #WorkLifeBalance

    Episode 35. The Summit Mastermind Cabo 2026 Sneak Peak
  3. Jul 20

    Episode 34. Ramone Jones - Tidewater Lights

    🎙️ Episode 34 - Guerrilla Marketing, Door-to-Door Sales & AI That Gives Home Service Businesses an Edge In this episode of Through the Noise, I sit down with Ramone Jones, owner of Tidewater Lights, to break down one of the biggest challenges every home service business owner faces: generating leads without relying on a massive marketing budget. Ramone is in the middle of a bold challenge—building $50,000 in sales using only guerrilla marketing tactics, without spending money on paid advertising or leveraging his existing client list. We dive into his door-to-door strategy, appointment-setting process, sales psychology, and how consistency beats perfection every time. But we don't stop there. The conversation shifts into one of the hottest topics in business today—AI automation. We discuss how we're using tools like Claude, Manus, and custom automations to streamline operations, improve accountability, build dashboards, and create systems that allow our businesses to scale faster than ever before. In this episode, we cover: • Ramone's $50K guerrilla marketing challenge with almost no advertising budget • Why door-to-door sales still work in today's home service industry • Simple techniques that keep homeowners engaged at the front door • How to create demand instead of waiting for leads • Building confidence through consistency and rejection • The importance of appointment setting over one-call closes • Using neighborhood blitzes to increase sales opportunities • The psychology behind selling permanent and landscape lighting • How AI is transforming sales, operations, accountability, and team communication • Using Claude, Manus, Slack, dashboards, and automations to build scalable systems • Why every business owner—and every employee—should be learning AI right now • Financing strategies that dramatically increase close rates Whether you're in pressure washing, lighting, landscaping, window cleaning, or any other home service business, this episode is packed with practical sales strategies, automation ideas, and mindset shifts that can help you grow faster without relying solely on paid marketing. 👉 Don't miss this episode of Through the Noise with Ramone Jones if you're ready to generate more leads, close more sales, and build smarter systems for your business. #ThroughTheNoise #RamoneJones #DoorToDoorSales #GuerrillaMarketing #HomeServices #AI #BusinessAutomation #Sales #Entrepreneurship #PermanentLighting #LandscapeLighting #SmallBusiness #LeadGeneration #BusinessGrowth

    Episode 34. Ramone Jones - Tidewater Lights
  4. Feb 23

    Episode 33. Pat Clark & Devin Schaefers - The Future of Franchising in Home Services

    🎙️ Episode 33 - National Brands, Franchising, and the Next Wave: Pat Clark & Devin Schaefers In this episode of Through the Noise, I sit down with Pat Clark, founder of Precision Pro Wash and now co-founder of Bright Brothers, along with Devin Schaefers, VP of Franchise Development at Brand One, to talk about something that’s been quietly building in our industry — the rise of national brands and franchising in home services. Pat started at 20 years old, sleeping in the back of an Astro van, learning roof cleaning the hard way. Two decades later, he scaled to multiple locations across nine states — and recently partnered with Contractor Nation to launch Bright Brothers as a national franchise brand. But this conversation goes deeper than pressure washing — we explore what happens when a fragmented, mom-and-pop industry meets real systems, real backing, and serious infrastructure: • How Pat went from technician to national brand builder • What an FDD actually is — and why it matters in franchising • The role of Brand One in accelerating franchise growth • Why home services are ripe for national brands • The power of systems, KPIs, and structured training • What Contractor Nation and Treehouse Marketing bring to the table • The difference between owner-operator and GM franchise models • What makes a strong franchise candidate (it’s not just money) • Why professionalism is still rare in our industry — and how that’s changing • The future of pressure washing, exterior cleaning, and national consolidation If you’re a home service business owner wondering where the industry is headed — or whether franchising is part of your future — this episode will challenge how you think about growth, scale, and what’s coming next. 👉 Don’t miss this episode of Through the Noise with Pat Clark and Devin Schaefers. #ThroughTheNoise #PatClark #DevinSchaefers #BrightBrothers #Franchising #HomeServices #PressureWashing #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth

    Episode 33. Pat Clark & Devin Schaefers - The Future of Franchising in Home Services
  5. 11/03/2025

    Episode 29. David Carroll - Dope Marketing

    🎙️ Episode 29 — From Prison to Purpose: David Carroll of Dope Marketing In this episode of Through the Noise, I sit down with David Carroll, founder of Dope Marketing, to unpack one of the most powerful comeback stories in entrepreneurship. From prison at 21 to running a $100M company, Dave’s journey is raw, unfiltered, and deeply human. He shares how getting stabbed, rebuilding from nothing, and meeting his wife Brynn at a strip club became the unlikely foundation for a life of discipline, gratitude, and purpose. But this conversation goes way deeper than business—it’s about identity, redemption, and the courage to change: How Dave went from a self-destructive lifestyle to leading 100+ employees.The moment that forced him to quit drinking and rebuild his marriage.What it really means to trust yourself and outgrow old versions of who you were.How slowing down, facing truth, and redefining success changed everything.Why clean data and AI adoption are the keys to the next era of business.Lessons on leadership, accountability, and showing up for the people who depend on you. If you’ve ever felt trapped by your past or unsure how to level up without losing yourself, this episode will hit deep. 👉 Don’t miss this raw and inspiring conversation with David Carroll on Through the Noise. #ThroughTheNoise #DaveCaroll #DopeMarketing #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Redemption #BusinessGrowth #HomeService #Authenticity #AIinBusiness #Mindset

    Episode 29. David Carroll - Dope Marketing

About

Welcome to "Through the Noise with Trevor Steel," where honesty meets entrepreneurship. Join Trevor Steel, the owner of Clean Image Pressure Washing and Steel Realty, for candid and heartfelt conversations with fellow business owners and inspirational stories of triumph. In each episode, Trevor delves deep into the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of entrepreneurship with successful entrepreneurs with stories of their own. From the trenches of starting up to the heights of success, Trevor and his guests share unfiltered stories of resilience, perseverance, and the hard-earned lessons learned along the way. No topic is too taboo as they explore the challenges of building and sustaining businesses in today's ever-changing landscape. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur seeking validation in shared experiences or an aspiring founder in need of guidance, "Through the Noise" offers a raw and authentic look into the realities of business ownership. Tune in to discover the human side of entrepreneurship and find inspiration in the journeys of those who have dared to chase their dreams.

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