We had a chance to sit down with the CEO of one of the fastest growing pressure washing businesses in the state of Florida, Antonio Banks. The Winter Haven High School graduate gives us some insight on how he
developed and maintains his thriving business, Banks Imperial Pressure Washing.
How long have you been in business? What made you get into what you're doing? Was this always a passion? or something you grew to love?
I have been in the business for 2 and a half years and I have been full time for a a year and a half. i was a student at FAMU and dropped out after 1 year in 2013. a week later, I went up to a man who was pressure washing the staircase of my apartment building and struck up a short conversation about the business of pressure washing. Once I heard how lucrative the industry could be, I asked him for a job but he said he wasn't hiring. So I told myself that I would start my own business one day.
I'd say that pressure washing was something that I grew to love. I purchased my first pressure washer in 2017 while I was working at Spectrum in the sales department. I played around with some sidewalks and fell in love with the process and attention to detail that it takes.
What is your favorite part about doing what you do? and What was your greatest fear going into your career field?
My favorite part would be meeting new people everyday and seeing the work that people put into their homes. Also being able to be outside and free all day.
My biggest fear has to be not expanding my business to its greatest potential. I’ve met countless people who have been running their business for 30-40 years and it’s still the same size when they started no offense to them but I would never want to be in those shoes.
Who are some people that inspired you to do what you do? How did their knowledge impact your lifestyle? What did you learn?
I have a lot of influences so I’ll just name a few. My mentor, Buddy, is one of the most influential guys in my industry and he pretty much took me under his wing and showed me the ropes to the industry from proper work attire, doing estimates, equipment assembly, taxes, customer service and so many other valuable things. He reached out to me on Facebook in 2019 and I’ve been learning from him since then. Every time I get around him, I leave better then I was.
The next person would be Justin Oneal, my mentor/family/barber. He was the one who encouraged me to go for my goal of starting my business. J helped me understand my value and worth. He’s a big reason why majority of my customers are willing to pay above average prices because I give an above average performance.
The last person would be my Uncle Quan (Deeke Jr). He’s the one that taught me not to compete with my competitors, but to dominate. Also things like staying 
professional at all times, reading and writing down my goals and even listening to Jim Rohn or Grant Cardone in the mornings. He helped instill the confidence that I needed to know that I can run a business.
What advice would you give yourself 10 years ago? And Do you have any encouraging words for anyone who might be scared to take that leap of faith?
Some advice that I would give myself 10 years ago would be to not let pride get in my way. Step out of your comfort zone. View your situations as opportunities. You lost your job? Perfect, this is the time to test yourself. You're miserable at your current job? Perfect, use this as fuel to find out what you really love and save your money.
After having the expectation of working 10 years at my previous job, I had to take my own business full time. I had gotten into a horrible traffic accident and lost my position at my job. Instead of folding, I chose to go full time with my business and start a new life. It was one of the best decisions that I could've ever made but also one of the hardest. My only regret was not saving my money the way that I should have beforehand because I still had bills to pay. That's something I learned along the way (I highly suggest saving up your money!) and thankfully I've never been behind on rent. If I can do it, you can too!
What is your definition of Success? & What is something that you're personally proud of that you've accomplished?
My definition of success is doing what you truly want to do. It means being able to make moves and give opportunities because you're in control of your own destiny.
I’m most proud of the fact that I generate my own income. I built something from scratch that is now paying for my vacations and putting money in other people's pockets. It's the best feeling knowing that my phone rings every day for the services I provide.
How do you want to be remembered? & If you could leave us with a quote of your own, What would it be?
I want to be remembered as a man that kept God first and couldn’t be stopped. From failing college to losing a six figure position at a corporate Job to owning his own business. I’m the man that you can look at as an example on why not to give up.
I try my best to help as many people as I can, so being able to be remembered as a motivator and philanthropist is something that I’m aiming for. "If you're having life troubles, Be honest with yourself and a lot will change."
What does "Crumbs To Crowns" mean to you in your own definition? Favorite Crumbs to Crowns Product(s)?
Crumbs to Crowns represents me to the fullest. Like I said earlier, I started my business from scratch. I used to put pressure washers in the trunk of my car to do jobs, I would use a pump up sprayer to spray the entire house so that I could clean it. It would take me the entire day, sometimes 2 days, to finish a job that now takes me 2 hours. I went through a major financial and mental struggle in the first year of my building my business but now because of my business I enjoy life more then I ever have.
I could go on and on about what Crumbs To
Crowns means. That’s my story, that’s every self made hustler's story. To make it simple, what Nike means to athletes across America is what Crumbs To Crowns means to me, I love the Grind.
Shoutouts: My mama and stepfather, She's the realest person in my corner. She does not sugarcoat anything with me and I love her for it. They made me prove that I could do this before they respected it and I’m glad they did.
Shoutout to the lady in my life, she helped a lot during my process of building my business.
Shout out to Delynda Faudel, Josh, Darryl, Marshall and Amanda from Spectrum, their advice helped me in the sales world. Also my former coworkers Shane And AJ, they helped me brainstorm a lot.
And to everybody else, excuse me if I forgot to mention you but I do appreciate you.
Favorite Artists: Rick Ross, Kendrick Lamar, Nipsey Hussle, Bobby Fishscale, Mook Boy, Iceberg, Brent Faiyaz, and Jay Z. I also like 92Legend and what Ali Oyo is doing too. I love Jazz and old school R&B and Funk.
Dream destination: Bora Bora
Favorite movie: Wolf of Wall Street, Harlem Nights
Favorite team: Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Hurricanes and any team Anquan Boldin was a part of.
Favorite food: Soul food, Any island food, a rare steak with a cigar afterwards
Favorite colors: Maroon, Burgundy and Salmon.
Hidden talents: My first love is the piano