ENTREPRENEUR HIGHLIGHT

Jason & Rhett

Jason Schroeck and Rhett Trotter are the owners of Green Clean, a company built on a foundation of integrity, quality, and a genuine desire to help people.

With almost 30 years of experience in the industry, their journey is a testament to the power of partnership, a commitment to excellence, and a deep understanding of their clients’ needs.

“We help transform people’s lives when they're having a really bad day. And then we make it a whole lot better.”

BRILLIANCE SNAPSHOT // JASON & RHETT

Who are you?

R: Rhett Trotter, President and Operations Manager of Green Clean.
J: Jason Schroeck, Chief Financial Officer and 50% owner of Green Clean.

What do you do?

R: I primarily oversee the operations and production side of the business.
J: I’m in charge of marketing, sales, and the numbers, making sure all parts of the business are working correctly.

What's your unique super power?

R: Always doing the right thing for our clients, even if it costs us money or is difficult. Reputation is everything.
J: Showing up. Attendance is crucial in business.

What were you/team seeking a boost with?

R: We wanted to blend our two divisions – carpet cleaning and restoration/general contracting – to work together seamlessly and update our brand.
J: We needed more than a simple refresh of our business cards; we needed a complete brand overhaul.

Who motivates you to keep going?

R: My family and employees. We have a responsibility to take care of our employees and ensure we’re doing right by them, while also supporting our families.
J: While my family and employees are important, my motivation stems from the 30 years we’ve invested in building this company. I’m excited for the next 10 years and making Green Clean the best it can be.

Q: Can you provide a brief overview of your career journey and how you arrived at your current position?

R: I moved here for school but realized it wasn’t for me. I had a background in restaurant management and met Jason at a carpet cleaning company. We both quickly realized the company’s unethical practices didn’t align with our values. Jason started his own company, I went back to restaurants, and eventually, we reunited and formed Green Clean in 1996. We were committed to doing things the right way, providing high-quality service, transparency in pricing, and no bait-and-switch tactics.

J: When Rhett and I first started cleaning carpets together, we talked about starting our own business. While those early days had their challenges, realizing I could do things better and finding the right partner in Rhett was crucial. We started in our garage, using heaters in our vans during winter. Finally moving into a proper building was a big step.

Q: What key experiences or milestones have significantly shaped your professional development?

R: Realizing the need for restoration services alongside carpet cleaning was pivotal. We learned on the job and eventually obtained our general contractor’s license, allowing us to expand our services and become a more significant player in the market, particularly for insurance work.

J: Getting our general contractor's license was huge. It directly addressed our clients’ needs and aligned with our ethics. Instead of focusing on our existing services, we rose to the challenge, putting the client experience first.

Q: What does a typical day look like for you?

R: There isn't a typical day. I focus on current projects, reviewing estimates, and working on our next steps for growth and evolution. I try to look at the bigger picture and break it down into manageable segments.

J: On Mondays, I update our financial reports, prepare agendas and worksheets for our sales meeting, laying the groundwork for the week.

Q: How do you describe the work of Green Clean?

R: We are licensed general contractors who offer mitigation and reconstruction services for damages caused by water, fire, smoke, mold, and other issues. Of course, we still provide cleaning services too.

J: We help people during stressful times and make their lives better. It takes time, but it’s what we do.

Q: What was the spark that catalyzed you to move forward with this mission?

R: Witnessing how other companies operated and treated their customers made us realize we could achieve success while prioritizing ethical treatment and customer satisfaction.

J: I've wanted to run my own business since I was 16. That, coupled with our desire to do right by our customers and create something of our own, fueled our mission.

Q: Can you tell us a story about your work that inspires you?

R: Going through the Spark Brand Workshop with Sharp Creative reignited my passion for the business. It brought back the excitement I felt when we first started and helped me see the bigger picture again. It led to positive changes, including business planning and consulting, which have been incredibly beneficial.

J: Joining a networking group 2005 or 2006 was a turning point. The inspiring business owners I met opened my eyes to new possibilities. The mentorship and support within that group helped me realize our company’s potential to grow beyond what I initially thought was possible.

Q: What do customers say about Green Clean?

R: Clients consistently praise the quality and character of our employees. The positive relationships they build with our team are something we take great pride in.

J: I hope our customers feel well taken care of despite occasional challenges. Our goal is for them to feel confident in recommending us and sharing positive feedback about their experience with Green Clean.

Q: Why did you choose to work with Sharp Creative?

J: Our existing relationship with Ben and our trust in him from previous projects made Sharp Creative the obvious choice. He understood our company, our brand, and what we stood for.

R: I supported Jason’s decision.

Q: How much did you know about branding before you engaged with us?

R: Honestly, I thought I knew more than I did.

J: I didn’t know much, and I’m still learning. I never realized how much work went into developing a logo, let alone an entire brand.

Q: What was business like before and after working with Sharp Creative?

R: Before, our branding was all over the place. Now, thanks to our brand standards document, we have a cohesive and consistent image.

J: Things are more streamlined. We have a clear understanding of our visual identity, making it easier to create new content and materials.

Q: How did the Spark Brand Workshop help you with that?

R: It helped create cohesion in our branding.

J: It brought organization and consistency to our brand.

Q: Did your business grow as a result of working with Sharp Creative?

R: Yes, we've seen significant growth. Our brand is stronger, we receive positive feedback about its clean look, and I’ve personally grown to love our new logo, even though I wasn’t initially sold on it.

J: Our business has grown by about 30% from 2022 to 2023, largely due to the rebranding.

Q: How is working with Sharp Creative different than working with other marketing agencies?

R: Sharp Creative stands out for its thoroughness and strategic thinking. They put a lot of thought into every aspect of their work before presenting it to us.

J: They’re detail-oriented and dedicated, giving each element the attention it deserves, whether it's branding, logo design, website development, or marketing materials.