Undoubtedly, brothers Nick and Michael Guentzel are adventure-seekers.
Both of them were three-sport teen athletes at Lake Crystal/Wellcome Memorial High School, they’ve frequented Mount Kato for years and they aspire to travel to destinations like Patagonia.
But first and foremost, they’re dedicated business partners who apply a diehard work ethic and commitment to customer service that’s attracted clients to Midwest Softwash, the company they established in March 2021.
“They’re classy guys, for sure,” said Colleen VanBlarcom, who’s hired Midwest Softwash for cleaning projects at several area commercial and residential properties.
“Nick and Michael are hard-working, kind and considerate, plus they’re strong in their follow-through, prompt and transparent with their billing — and their communication is topnotch. Some day I want to meet their parents, because you can tell they were well taught about work ethic, values and politeness.”
Over the past four years, the fraternal duo has provided services including house washing, roof and soffit cleaning, pressure washing, concrete sealing and commercial cleaning, typically operating within about a 30-mile radius of Mankato.
“There are so many advantages to the softwash method,” said Nick, mentioning their approach originated in Florida but is equally effective here.
“What we’re doing instead of [exclusively] pressure washing — which frankly isn’t good for anything and can easily damage siding and leak water in through window areas — is first applying a solution that kills organic growth, helping to release and lift dirt and dust,” he continued.
“Then we let the solution do its job and rinse with a low pressure stream. It’s so much more effective and results in a longer lasting clean surface.”
The Guentzels have four years of solid evidence and an ever-growing list of satisfied customers to prove the efficacy of softwashing.
“Roofs around here get a lot of black streaks from airborne algae,” said Nick.
“And when your roof is dirty, it doesn’t allow for shingles to properly reflect the sunlight, and when moss and lichen build up, that can affect the freeze/thaw cycle and even break shingles.”
In fact, one client sought the Guentzels’ help when his insurance carrier threatened to cancel the homeowner’s policy if his roof wasn’t cleaned.
With the prevalence of limestone in area construction, it’s also convenient that Midwest Softwash is ideally suited to cleaning that natural surface.
“It’s part of our mission to educate on how to properly clean limestone,” said Nick, mentioning they have conferred with the National Stone Institute and Vetter Stone officials on that topic.
“The two most common techniques in our industry — bleach or high pressure — are not good for anything other than concrete. A Harvard study shows that bleach crystallizes inside granite and other natural stone, and that crystallization eventually causes expansion and breakage that will destroy it and make it structurally unsound over time.”
Cleaning machines with customer care focus
Following high school, both Guentzel men earned two-year degrees at South Central College. Nick, 29, topped that off with a bachelor’s in construction management from Minnesota State University.
Michael, 24, was heading down a similar path until he realized he preferred working with his hands and being outdoors over an office-centered job.
“We worked together, and separately, before starting this company,” said Nick, mentioning they both gained experience in landscaping, concrete and property maintenance roles before founding Midwest Softwash.
All of their skills and experiences come into play with Midwest Softwash.
They’ve built their own two trailers, incorporating into the second one improved efficiencies and customized features that support Midwest Softwash’s equipment and tasks.
“We’re problem solvers and doers,” said Michael. “We maintain our own equipment and are constantly learning.”
Additionally, they created their initial business website, though a website professional created the current one. And during the colder months, they develop future business ideas, including several products they are striving to invent.
“We’re passionate about product invention and have a list of ideas that will help a lot of people and improve their lives,” said Michael. They have already folded into their own business a few products they’ve created, making their work days smoother.
The second and fourth children, respectively, of Nan and Mark Guentzel’s enterprising brood, Nick and Michael credit their parents for instilling in them drive, positive attitudes and consideration of others.
“I’ve seen dad’s work ethic — getting up at 4 a.m. every day — and he never complains,” said Nick. “And mom is a property manager. We’ve done maintenance work for her for a long time and have learned a lot from her.”
Added Michael, “We get compliments on how we interact with people, and really, those compliments go right back to our parents. Kids don’t always appreciate how much things cost and what their parents give them, but we realize now they gave us pretty much everything they had. That makes us more appreciative.”
Small business development consultant Gary Schott hired Midwest Softwash to clean the exterior of his two-story lake home, plus patio, in rural Waterville. He witnessed the Guentzels’ finesse firsthand.
“Michael and Nick presented themselves very professionally, provided great customer service and did a great job,” said Schott.
“They demonstrated to me that they knew what they were doing, and their equipment was well cared for.”
Schott was impressed enough to recommend Midwest Softwash’s services to a neighbor, who was similarly pleased with their efforts. Schott even received a handwritten thank-you note from the Guentzels, expressing their appreciation for his trust.
“That was a real differentiator,” said Schott. “That showed they’re relationship-driven and understand that if they do customer follow-up, I’ll hire them again.”
Furthermore, community service — like voluntarily cleaning business and community entrance signs, replacing worn-out American flags for customers, offering discounts for military veterans and law enforcement employees and spending each Memorial Day cleaning headstones of U.S. veterans — is a priority.
Michael confirms that such niceties were prompted by their parents’ examples.
“We’re a customer service-based company,” said Michael. “We dress professionally, we shake hands when we meet home and business owners, we show up in a nice truck, we’re timely and we’ll do a good job every time.”
That formula — combined with effective softwash cleaning — won over customers like Schott and VanBlarcom.
“I’m happy to see young entrepreneurs like the Guentzels,” said VanBlarcom. “I’ve recommended them to others, and I’ll have them back.”