I recently went one-on-one with Aaron Harper, Chairman of Rolling Suds.
Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?
Aaron: I’m originally from Southern California, and in my early twenties, I moved to Hollywood to work as an aspiring talent agent. After years of long hours on set with little pay, I wanted more from my professional life. A friend suggested I’d be a good fit in franchising, scaling “boring businesses,” and the idea clicked. I used the skills I’d honed in Hollywood, client management, relationship building, and business development, to scale and optimize franchise operations for several home-service brands, growing them to the largest in their industries. But as these businesses expanded, I realized I didn’t agree with focusing on quantity over quality, and I thought, “Why can’t I build a brand my way?”
That led me to Rolling Suds, a 30+ year family-owned power-washing business that I acquired in 2022. With the support of the family, investors, and mentors, we grew it from one location to more than 300 units in just over two years. The ride was exhilarating, but the most important growth came when I made the decision to step down as CEO in June 2025. Walking away from the role wasn’t easy, but it allowed me to realign my work with my purpose, focus on what energizes me, and lead in a way that’s sustainable and authentic.
Now, as Chairman of the Board, I focus my time and energy on sharing the lessons I’ve learned with other entrepreneurs through my podcast and content creation. I dive into everything from strategy and growth to purpose and leadership, helping founders build businesses that thrive without losing themselves in the process.
Adam: How did you come up with your business idea? What advice do you have for others on how to come up with great ideas?
Aaron: When I was looking for a business to acquire, I went in with a clear checklist of what mattered to me: real growth potential, strong fundamentals, and a business I could scale in a way that aligned with my values. I looked at dozens of options through that lens before landing on the right one.
My advice to anyone trying to come up with a great idea is simple: don’t chase the trendy or sexy businesses. Sometimes the most fulfilling opportunities are the ones that aren’t flashy but have real impact. Who would have thought a guy from Hollywood would end up scaling “boring businesses”? But seeing the difference we make for franchisees and helping them build something of their own is incredibly rewarding. Focus on what excites you, solves a real problem, and creates value; the rest will follow.
Adam: How did you know your business idea was worth pursuing? What advice do you have on how to best test a business idea?
Aaron: I knew Rolling Suds was worth pursuing because I went in with a plan and a checklist I didn’t waver on. I spent months talking to the owners, studying their operations, understanding the financials, and figuring out where the gaps were. I wanted to see where the business was working, where it was breaking, and how I could realistically scale it. I asked endless questions and got my hands dirty with the day-to-day realities of the business before making any decisions.
My advice for testing a business idea is simple: don’t guess, dig. Talk to the people running it, walk the operations yourself, and find the cracks and inefficiencies you could fix. Watch how money flows, how teams work, and how decisions are made under pressure. The more you understand what’s actually happening, the more confident you can be that it’s something worth committing to, and that you’re ready for the hard work it takes to make it thrive.
Adam: What are the key steps you have taken to grow your business? What advice do you have for others on how to take their businesses to the next level?
Aaron: The keys to growing a thriving business are simple but not easy: pre-invest in growth, focus relentlessly on sales, and make your customers and partners happy. Pre-investing means putting people, systems, and processes in place before you need them. Sales drives everything. You need predictable, repeatable ways to bring in revenue. Happy customers and/or franchisees are the engine of your business; their loyalty drives far more than any marketing campaign could. My advice: focus on the fundamentals, build ahead, and obsess over real value. Growth will follow.
Adam: What are your best sales and marketing tips?
Aaron: For me, the best sales and marketing comes from creating and sharing content that’s real. Show up as the person behind the brand, talk about what you’re learning, the wins, the mistakes, even the messy stuff. Being honest and consistent on social media builds trust in a way ads never will. I’ve met some of my best franchisees and friends through relationships that started because I was committed to sharing transparently online. People connect with the story and the person, not just the product, and that connection drives growth in the most organic way.
Adam: In your experience, what are the defining qualities of an effective leader? How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?
Aaron: An effective leader isn’t the one who does everything or makes all the decisions. It’s the person who can step back, trust their team, and make sure the right systems are in place. The kind of leader who invests in people and isn’t afraid to admit when they don’t have all the answers, but is committed to finding solutions when challenges arise.
If you want to level up as a leader, start by paying attention to yourself. Figure out what drains you, what gives you energy, and where you can make the biggest impact. Learn to let go of control and focus on multiplying the talent around you. Leadership isn’t about looking impressive; it’s about creating something that lasts and helping the people around you succeed along the way.
Adam: What is your best advice on building, leading, and managing teams?
Aaron: Hire people who are smarter and better than you at what they do, then give them a real opportunity to grow. Let them own their roles, make decisions, and build their careers. Your job isn’t to micromanage or do everything yourself; it’s to give the right people the space, resources, and trust to succeed. When your team thrives, the business thrives too, and you end up doing the work that only you can do.
Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives, and civic leaders?
Aaron:
- Don’t confuse motion with progress. Just because you’re busy doesn’t mean you’re moving the needle. Step back, focus on what really drives impact, and double down there.
- Invest in people. Surround yourself with people smarter than you, give them space to grow, and trust them to do their thing.
- Align your work with purpose. Success without meaning burns out fast. Make decisions that fuel both the business and the life you actually want to live outside of the office.
Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?
Aaron: Get in rooms with people who are smarter than you and who you want to be like. Being around people who challenge you, teach you, and raise your standards is the fastest way to grow. You can read all the books, listen to all the podcasts, or take all the courses you want, but nothing accelerates your learning and perspective like real conversations with the right people.
