David and Krista Brewster used a straightforward slogan when they founded Aqua Clear Water Systems in 2005: “Changing water, changing lives.”
Changing water refers to the business mission of Aqua Clear: Installing and maintaining high-quality water-filtration systems in the homes and businesses of Tennessee.
Changing lives refers to the way the couple approach their work. They don’t just want to be an employer, they want to be an employer that makes a difference to the communities it serves and the people it hires.
“For us, as the company has grown and God has brought amazing team members, we see lives changing,” Krista said. “Our team members buying houses for the first time, making a great income for their families. At the same time, our community, changing their water, and changing sometimes their health.”
David said that almost two-thirds of Aqua Clear’s business comes from referrals, a testament to the company’s work and values. A business founded in Lenoir City, Tennessee, outside Knoxville has grown to open offices throughout the state – from the Chattanooga area to Nashville to Sevierville. (Or, as David called it, “Vol Country.”)
David started his first treatment dealership from his Dad’s garage, working out of the basement and knocking on doors to gain business. Nineteen years later, the business covers the entire state of Tennessee and sees a long-term goal of reaching $100 million in revenue while eventually growing nationally.
“We’ve got, I think, one of the best models in water treatment,” David said.
David started in water treatment when he was a student at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham. His goal was to become a pastor and share his faith. Over time, he felt called to water treatment, and the business has allowed him to express his faith and share his values while building a successful entity.
“John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, said, ‘Make as much as you can so you can give as much as you can,’” David said. “So our heart has always been, how do we support ministries? How do we support women's shelters? How do we support orphanages and feeding kids, feeding hungry people local and in other countries?
“We believe you're blessed to be a blessing. And so that's one of our goals at our business is, try to be blessed so we can be a blessing.”
Aqua Clear relies on ServiceTitan as its software, and attributes a healthy part of its growth to the software’s efficiencies and capabilities. Krista estimates that ServiceTitan helped Aqua Clear increase revenue by at least $1 million each year it has used the software.
“ServiceTitan has been amazing,” Krista said. “And I love their philosophy. They are so hands-on in the business as they're growing it. With ServiceTitan, information is at our fingertips every day. We’ve been able to make better decisions based on the dashboards in ServiceTitan. Adding it was the best investment we ever made as a company.”
Among the ServiceTitan features Aqua Clear appreciates is the ability to track different locations from the main office, which will help Aqua Clear when it starts buying other businesses nationally.
But no matter how much Aqua Clear grows, it does not want to lose the sense of family it has tried to promote and nurture. Aqua Clear is a family business, with daughter Lydia working as Warehouse, Marketing Manager, and Onboarding and Training Manager; son Robert in sales; and son Jonathan with digital technology and innovation.
But ask David what he is most proud of about his children and the answer isn’t related to economics or installs.
“I am proud that we love each other,” he said.
The Brewsters look on the entire team as family. Their focus is on building camaraderie and a partnership with everyone.
“We have a really good team culture, so we're going to build each other up,” Lydia said. “I like to say that we're a relay race. Everyone runs their lap, and then they hand off the baton perfectly, not to trip the next runner, to set them up for success to run their next lap.”
“It’s not all about us,” Krista said. “It’s about the team that’s behind us. Because without a great team, you’re not successful. So from the technician to the client care representative to our project supervisors that go in the homes to measure for the water systems, to the accounting office, everybody is so vital to the team.”
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Hiring emphasis is on ensuring the right fit. The interview process has slowed over the years to allow applicants to fully express themselves, their goals and principles. The business offers a shadow day, so those pondering Aqua Clear can sit in the office or ride in the truck to learn about the culture. Interviews conclude with a sit-down with the applicant’s potential manager, as well as David and Krista. David said a goal is that every hire can make “a good, honest living” while feeling the same love the Brewsters feel as a family.
“I want you to feel accepted,” David said. “I want you to feel challenged. I want you to grow. I want you to grow as a person. I want you to grow as a man or a woman. I want you to grow as a team member. I want you to grow in knowledge, but I want you to do great work.
“We're going to give you all the tools you need with ServiceTitan and all the rest of the stuff that we have to make you super successful.
“Then just working with a team where you’re encouraging one another, giving high-fives and celebrating. Just becoming a better person altogether.”
