Community Highlights: Meet Ryan Batts of Teacher Under Pressure

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Batts

Hi Ryan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey as an entrepreneur started in April 2021 when I founded Teacher Under Pressure. Before that, I was a teacher—quite literally under pressure—but I knew I wanted to build something of my own. The idea to start a pressure washing business came during COVID-19, when I had some downtime and was looking for a way to earn extra income. A former coworker, Neal Eichhorn, encouraged me to give it a shot, and I got my first hands-on experience when Silas Porter let me ride along as he cleaned a few homes. That was all the proof I needed—I saw the potential and took action.

I started with a basic pressure washer from Lowe’s and reached out to family, friends, and neighbors, offering services in exchange for feedback, photos, and reviews. I quickly learned that this business isn’t just about cleaning—it’s about providing an exceptional customer experience. That mindset helped me grow, and by the end of 2021, I had hired my first employee, invested in a trailer setup, and set the foundation for expansion.

The next year, the business grew nearly 200%, allowing us to add a company truck and more efficient equipment. By year three, we had scaled to a full team, multiple trucks, trailers, and additional services like window cleaning, gutter cleaning, and Christmas lights, driving another 250% growth.

A key turning point for me came after year one when I decided to invest in a business coach. Joining Home Service Business Coach gave me the guidance and structure I needed to take the business to the next level. Learning from other entrepreneurs, refining our systems, and having accountability made a massive difference in our continued success.

Now, in 2025, our goal is to keep scaling and continue growing while staying true to our core values. At Teacher Under Pressure, generosity is at the heart of what we do. From cleaning school signs for free to supporting families in need, we believe in making an impact beyond just business.

What started as a side hustle has turned into something much bigger than I ever imagined. I love the challenges of entrepreneurship, and I’m excited for what’s next.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not a smooth road—entrepreneurship never is. Every stage of growth has come with its own set of challenges. In the early days, the biggest struggle was just figuring everything out on my own. I had no prior business experience, so I had to learn everything from scratch—pricing, marketing, operations, and customer service—while also doing all the physical labor myself.

One of the biggest turning points was moving from being just a technician to actually running a business. At first, I thought working harder was the key to growing, but I quickly realized that I needed systems, processes, and a solid team if I wanted to scale. Hiring and training employees was a huge challenge—finding the right people who aligned with our customer-first mentality took time. There were moments when I felt stretched thin, trying to juggle everything while also making sure we delivered the best service possible.

Another major hurdle was learning how to handle the seasonality of the business. In the home service industry, there are busy months and slow months, and early on, I wasn’t prepared for that. That’s when we decided to add services like window cleaning, gutter cleaning, and especially Christmas lights, which helped balance out the slow seasons and allowed us to grow year-round.

After our first year, I realized I needed guidance, so I made the decision to work with Home Service Business Coach. That was a game-changer. Having a coach helped me avoid common pitfalls, develop a real strategy for scaling, and build a team that could operate even when I wasn’t in the field every day.

Of course, even with the right team and systems, challenges never stop. We’ve had unexpected equipment failures, scheduling mishaps, and the occasional difficult customer. But through it all, we’ve built a business that’s resilient. Every struggle has been a lesson, and those lessons have helped us create something bigger than just a pressure washing company—we’re building a brand based on trust, quality, and giving back to our community.

It’s not always easy, but I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything. The struggles are what make the wins so much sweeter.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Teacher Under Pressure, we’re more than just a cleaning company—we’re a customer service business that cleans. We specialize in pressure washing, window cleaning, gutter cleaning, and Christmas light installation, serving homeowners who want a professional, high-quality experience. But what truly sets us apart is our commitment to excellence, our community, and our core value: generosity.

From day one, we’ve believed that our success is built on relationships, not just transactions. That’s why we prioritize clear communication, reliability, and going the extra mile for every customer. We don’t just show up, do the job, and leave. We take the time to educate homeowners on how to maintain their property, ensure they’re 100% satisfied, and create an experience that makes them want to call us again and refer us to their neighbors.

One of the things we’re most proud of brand-wise is our commitment to giving back. We regularly clean school signs for free because we believe in supporting our educators and students. We also donate house washing services to families in need and find ways to serve our community throughout the year. Our brand isn’t just about making money—it’s about making an impact.

We also stand out because of our professionalism and customer focus. Our team shows up in branded trucks, clean uniforms, and with a high level of training, ensuring every job is done right. We’ve invested in top-tier equipment and techniques to provide the best results, and we offer recurring service plans so homeowners can keep their property looking great year-round without the hassle.

Our Christmas light installation service has also become a huge part of our business. It’s more than just putting up lights—we design custom displays, handle installation and takedown, and store the lights for our customers. It’s a seamless, stress-free way to bring holiday magic to homes, and it’s been incredible to see how much joy it brings to families.

If there’s one thing we want readers to know, it’s that when you choose Teacher Under Pressure, you’re not just hiring a service—you’re partnering with a company that genuinely cares. We take pride in what we do, and we’re always striving to provide the best experience possible while making a difference in our community.

Whether it’s a sparkling clean home or a beautifully lit house for the holidays, we’re here to help homeowners love where they live.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I believe that taking risks is essential for growth, both in business and in life. Without risk, there’s no reward. That being said, I don’t believe in reckless risk—I believe in calculated risk. It’s about weighing the potential upside against the possible downside and making the best decision with the information available.

One of the biggest risks I took was leaving the stability of my teaching career to go all-in on Teacher Under Pressure. When I started, I had no guarantee it would work. I was stepping into the unknown, with no business background and no safety net. But I also knew that staying where I was—playing it safe—meant I would always wonder, What if? So, I bet on myself. I put in the work, and that risk paid off.

Another major risk was deciding to scale the business beyond just myself. At first, it was just me with a pressure washer, handling everything on my own. The idea of hiring employees, investing in equipment, and taking on overhead costs was intimidating. But I knew that if I wanted to grow, I had to stop thinking like a technician and start thinking like a business owner. Hiring that first employee was a leap of faith, but it allowed me to step back, focus on building the business, and create something bigger than just me.

Investing in a business coach was another risk—at the time, it felt like a big expense. But looking back, it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Joining Home Service Business Coach gave me the tools, strategies, and support I needed to scale smarter and faster than I could have on my own.

Of course, not every risk pays off. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve hired the wrong people. I’ve tried marketing strategies that flopped. I’ve had setbacks that forced me to adjust. But I’ve learned that failure isn’t final—it’s just feedback. The key is to take risks that align with your vision, learn from every challenge, and keep moving forward.

At the end of the day, I’d rather take a risk and fail than play it safe and stay stuck. Entrepreneurship is all about adapting, pushing past fear, and betting on yourself. That’s how real growth happens.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://teacherunderpressure.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teacherunderpressure/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067754854663
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSop1Ksut2qKdkU38LgdESw