If you’ve seen a blue truck rumbling through town with Rolling Suds on the side, you’ve caught Jeff Harley’s crew at work.
Jeff isn’t just the guy behind Rolling Suds Power Washing in Ventura, he’s a proud local, a sailor, a family man, and, if you ask him, a man who just wanted to build something in the town he loves. Now he’s known to many as “the power washing guy,” and he wears the title proudly.
I sat down with Jeff to talk shop, small business, sailing, and suds. The conversation ranged from haunted houses (he’s a skeptic) to marketing strategies, family dynamics, and where to find the best taco in town. This is one of my favorite chats yet.
Escaping the Grind, Finding Ventura
Jeff first discovered Ventura as a high schooler spending summers at our beaches in Pierpont; bonfires in the dunes (don’t tell Chief Dickey), burgers at Duke’s, and that small-town, walkable charm that stuck with him.
“I still remember vividly being down in Pierpont in the middle of summer and thinking, ‘Why is nobody here?’ It felt like paradise, super chill, close to LA, and not crowded.”
In 2010, Jeff made good on a long-standing dream: he left Los Angeles and moved to Ventura permanently. Convincing his now-wife, who lived in Orange County at the time, was fairly easy.
“I told her it’s half the cost and you can get a place by the beach. That worked,” he laughed.
From Finance to Power Washing
Jeff’s professional background wasn’t in home services. He spent years in finance, working as a financial advisor and self-proclaimed “numbers guy.” But eventually, he found himself itching for something different, something more visible, more local, more connected to the community.
“I just wanted to be something, you know, ‘the guy’ for something in Ventura. And now I’m the power washing guy.”
Rolling Suds, the national franchise he brought to Ventura, has over 60 locations nationwide and more than three decades of experience. Jeff and his brother officially launched the local franchise this year, and they’re already making waves, both literally and figuratively.
Team Harley: A Family Business
Jeff runs Rolling Suds Ventura with his brother, a former Air Force officer turned construction manager. Jeff handles sales and marketing; his brother oversees operations and scheduling.
“We’ve got complementary skill sets,” Jeff explained. “He has blue-collar, construction-side experience, and I’ve got the numbers, the strategy, and the spreadsheets. It works.”
Before going into business, they sat down for what Jeff calls a “heart to heart conversation”,the kind of talk where expectations get set early.
“I said, ‘I’ve got two young kids. I’m not missing soccer games. I’ll work hard, but I need flexibility.’ And my brother, who’s single, said, ‘I’ll work 80 hours a week and do night shifts.’ And I said, ‘Great! Because I’m not doing that.’”
The Services: More Than Just Power Washing
While “power washing” is in the name, the business offers a full suite of exterior cleaning services: house washing, soft washing, roof cleaning, gutter cleaning, window cleaning, sidewalk and driveway treatments, even commercial work like storefronts, parking lots, and factory floors.
“We call it exterior cleaning, but it really depends on the job. Sometimes you’re using high pressure, sometimes soft detergents. The trick is knowing which approach to take.”
Commercial clients often request night cleanings—particularly restaurants or offices that can’t afford daytime disruptions. “We’ll show up at 11 p.m. if needed. Just not in residential areas, because of noise rules.”
Residential vs. Commercial: Which Is Better?
When asked whether he prefers residential or commercial clients, Jeff was honest.
“Residential clients are usually more appreciative. They’ll leave great reviews, sometimes even tip. But they’re also more discerning. They’ll walk around and notice every detail, which is fair.”
Commercial clients, on the other hand, are straightforward. “They just want to know: is it clean or not?”
What Sets Rolling Suds Apart?
Jeff doesn’t hesitate when asked why Rolling Suds stands out.
“We’re fast and efficient. Our trucks are built to clean a 2,000-square-foot home in under two hours. Most competitors can’t come close.”
The secret? Water volume and crew size.
“Our trucks carry 900 gallons of water, and we always run a two-person crew. That means two machines going at once, which cuts job time dramatically.”
They also aim to minimize the inconvenience for clients. “No one wants hoses all over their property for eight hours. We want to get in and out, leave it sparkling, and be gone before lunch.”
About That Water Use...
With water infrastructure projects like Ventura Water Pure on everyone’s radar, water usage is a hot-button issue. So does Rolling Suds use their client’s water?
“Technically, we could clean without using a drop of your water. Our trucks are fully equipped. But to be practical, we backfill as we clean to save time and money—for us and the client.”
A typical job uses around 100 gallons of tap water, costing just a few dollars. “Less than a washing machine cycle, and definitely less than refilling a pool,” Jeff added.
The Challenges of Small Business
Marketing, Jeff says, is the hardest part.
“Last week’s strategy doesn’t work this week. You’re constantly testing—print ads, digital, cold emails. Sometimes you feel like you’re just lighting money on fire.”
But for this numbers guy, that’s part of the fun.
“We analyze everything—response rates, ad performance, review rates. We’re always tweaking.”
He’s also working on building a steady review system: QR code cards handed to clients before the crew leaves.
“If they’re willing to write a review, they’re more likely to do it on the spot. That’s huge for us.”
Most Memorable Job?
One recent residential job ended with a surprise. After finishing the work, the client invited Jeff and his crew into the garage to show off a rare car collection, Ferraris, Porsches, the works, and then tipped the crew generously.
“It was just one of those feel-good days. A lot of work, but great conversation, a cool experience, and a grateful client.”
The Power of Clean
Jeff says there’s something deeply satisfying about what they do, especially when clients see the results.
“You can live in a house for 20 years and never wash the outside. But once you do, you go, ‘Why didn’t I do this sooner?’ It makes you feel proud of your home again.”
He joked about how friends approached him at a 4th of July party, saying, “We really should’ve had you clean before the barbecue.”
“Now they’re booked,” he said with a grin.
Ventura Favorites: The Speed Round
To close out our chat, I hit Jeff with a lightning round:
- Best taco in Ventura: Pierpont Tacos
- Favorite date-night spot: Fluid State
- Best beach: Schoolhouse
- Sunrise or sunset: Sunset
Want to Reach Jeff?
You can find Rolling Suds Ventura online at rollingsuds.com/ventura or follow them on Instagram @rollingsudsventura, or on Facebook, Yelp, and Google by searching Rolling Suds Power Washing.
