Susan Lackey Best is the Chief Smile Officer (aka President and CEO) of Completely Clean Power Washing, a thriving exterior cleaning company based in Wilmington, North Carolina, which she runs alongside her husband, Travis. Together, they have built a business known not only for exceptional results but for strong leadership, high standards, and a culture that values both people and excellence.
Susan is a bold entrepreneur with a deep belief that business should be both profitable and purposeful. Before entering the service industry, she spent over two decades as an Independent Sales Director leading a Pink Cadillac team, earning top recognition for leadership, sales performance, and team development. She built and mentored high-performing teams, developed future leaders, and mastered the disciplines of accountability, resilience, and sales psychology. That experience shaped her leadership philosophy: culture drives performance, and people rise to the level of expectation you model.
Entrepreneurship runs in Susan’s blood. Her father was a very successful HVAC and Electrical Contractor whose primarily commercial business showed her early what it means to carry responsibility, protect reputation, and lead with integrity. She grew up understanding that business is not just about revenue—it’s about stewardship, service, and showing up when it matters.
Today, Susan and Travis are passionate about raising the standard in blue-collar industries through white-glove leadership. Under their direction, Completely Clean Power Washing has grown into a respected name in southeastern North Carolina, serving commercial and residential clients with professionalism and precision. As Chief Smile Officer, Susan leads with energy, optimism, and a firm belief that attitude is a competitive advantage.
Susan speaks candidly about entrepreneurship, leadership under pressure, building strong teams, sales confidence, and what it really takes to scale a service-based business. Her message to students is both practical and empowering: you can build something bold without compromising your values—and you don’t have to follow a traditional path to create extraordinary impact.
When she’s not leading her team, Susan is homeschooling her children, spending time outdoors, and investing in the people and passions that matter most. She and Travis share their home with their daughters and their pups, Happy and Simba, and you’ll often find her outside—especially around horses, where she finds both peace and perspective. Whether in business or in life, Susan believes leadership starts at home, faith and family come first, and the legacy you build is measured far beyond revenue.