HQ Water Solutions, Jordan Evangelista
HQ Water Solutions is redefining local water treatment by blending high-tech filtration with a family-owned approach. Unlike one-size-fits-all providers, the company utilizes education-first methodology, leading with comprehensive water testing to custom-engineer systems for specific contaminants like PFAS, lead, iron, and nitrates. Their suite of services spans the entire water treatment spectrum, including the installation and maintenance of high-efficiency water softeners, whole-house filtration, and advanced Reverse Osmosis (RO) drinking water systems. Beyond purification, they offer well water services, salt delivery, and water heater repair, providing a full-service experience for residential and commercial clients alike. By replacing high-pressure sales tactics with transparent, data-driven solutions and industrial-leading technology, HQ Water Solutions has positioned itself as a reputable industry leader.
The inspiration behind HQ Water Solutions stems from a desire to modernize a stagnant industry and provide a more transparent, education-based alternative for families. Founded by Stephen and Jordan Evangelista, the business was born from the realization that while water quality is a fundamental pillar of health, the traditional water treatment market was often defined by high-pressure sales tactics and "one-size-fits-all" equipment that didn't always address specific local contaminants.
Driven by a "disruptor" mindset, the founders sought to create a company that prioritized education over sales. They were inspired to bridge the gap between complex water chemistry and the average homeowner, moving away from the "door-to-door salesman" archetype toward a boutique, expert-led model. By focusing on the unique needs of Central Pennsylvania’s water—from hard minerals in Lancaster to specific well-water issues—they aimed to build a business where integrity and data-driven results were the primary products, ensuring every client feels like a neighbor rather than just another transaction.
What truly makes HQ Water Solutions special is its identity as a purpose-driven disruptor in a traditional industry. The company’s excellence has been validated both locally and nationally, most notably as the recipient of the SCORE Lancaster-Lebanon Small Business of the Year Award and through features in the Central PA Business Journal, FIG Magazine, national podcasts, and more. These accolades celebrate a business model that replaces high-pressure sales with a deep commitment to education. By providing free professional water testing and producing engaging, transparent content, they empower homeowners to understand their water chemistry rather than just buying a product.
At its core, HQ Water Solutions is defined by its culture of "giving back"—a value that extends from the owners to every team member. The company actively supports local teams and organizations that are meaningful to their employees and customers, viewing community investment as a primary responsibility. For HQ Water Solutions, success isn't just about business growth; it's about fostering a healthier, more informed community through every drop of water they treat.
The decision to seek help from SCORE was rooted in a desire to build a business that was as structurally sound. While the founders possessed a deep technical understanding of water treatment, they recognized that transitioning from a high-level concept to a sustainable, award-winning company required a seasoned perspective. Seeking mentorship from SCORE allowed them to refine their business plan, navigate the complexities of local scaling, and ensure their mission of transparency and education was backed by a rock-solid operational foundation.
By tapping into SCORE’s network of veteran executives and entrepreneurs, HQ Water Solutions was able to pressure-test their ideas before going to market. This mentorship helped bridge the gap between "having a great idea" and "running a great business," providing the strategic guidance necessary to manage rapid growth while maintaining their commitment to community giving. Ultimately, seeking help from SCORE was about a commitment to excellence, ensuring that from day one, the company was prepared to provide the high-level service that has since earned them Small Business of the Year honors.
Working with SCORE was the definitive catalyst that gave us the professional confidence to "make the leap" from a concept to a fully operational business. In the high-stakes early days of entrepreneurship, SCORE served as an essential sounding board, providing the objective feedback needed to refine our ideas and mitigate the risks of a new startup. Their mentorship transformed our technical passion into a structured business model, offering a safe space to test our strategies before taking them to market.
As HQ Water Solutions evolved, SCORE remained an invaluable resource through every subsequent stage of growth. Whether we were navigating the complexities of initial business inception, tweaking our service offerings, or calculating our next major move for scaling, having access to an influential circle of experts provided a level of guidance that is rarely available to small businesses. This partnership didn't just help us start; it provided the strategic foundation and networking ecosystem that turned our ideas into a full-blown business.
The partnership with SCORE served as the definitive catalyst for HQ Water Solutions, transforming a bold vision into a local industry powerhouse. A major milestone in this journey was receiving the 2023 SCORE Small Business Award, a prestigious accolade that validated the company’s mission on both a local and national stage. This foundation of mentorship has fueled aggressive year-over-year revenue growth, allowing the business to scale from a small family operation into a robust team of six full-time employees—with active plans for further hiring.
This rapid expansion quickly outpaced the company’s physical footprint. After moving into a 1,900-square-foot headquarters in downtown Lancaster, HQ Water Solutions’ steep trajectory has already necessitated the search for an even larger facility to accommodate its growing service department and inventory. Further solidifying its market share, the company recently completed the strategic acquisition of a local water treatment business, extending its education-based service model to a broader customer base. These achievements stand as a powerful testament to the strategic framework built with SCORE, proving that a blend of community commitment and data-driven scaling is a winning formula for long-term success.
The success of HQ Water Solutions is inextricably linked to the guidance of two pivotal mentors from SCORE Lancaster-Lebanon, each appearing at the perfect moment in the company’s evolution. Our journey began with Neil Moseman, our original mentor, who served as the essential sounding board during the "napkin sketch" phase of our business. Neil didn't just offer advice; he rolled up his sleeves to help us brainstorm, tweak our initial concepts, and navigate the daunting hurdles of those early days. His steady hand and strategic questioning were the catalysts that allowed us to move from a passionate idea to a fully grounded, functioning reality.
Following Neil’s retirement, we were incredibly fortunate to be connected with Mike Canerlli, a transition that felt like a stroke of fate. Mike is a self-described water enthusiast, which created an immediate, high-level synergy with our mission. However, his impact has gone far beyond our wildest dreams. Mike has been instrumental in teaching us the "art and science" of modern business—helping us master the complexities of digital marketing, the logistics of sustainable scaling, and the foresight required to make the "right next move" in a competitive market. Having a mentor who shares our obsession with water quality while possessing a brilliant mind for business growth has been our greatest competitive advantage.
The team at HQ Water Solutions encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to "make the leap" even before they feel they have every answer. Their primary advice is to prioritize education over sales and to build a business on a foundation of transparency and community value. By focusing on solving a specific problem for their neighbors rather than just moving inventory, they found that growth followed naturally.
Equally important is the willingness to seek mentorship early. HQ attributes much of its success to being "radically teachable" and utilizing resources like SCORE to think through ideas. They advise new founders to seek out an influential circle of mentors who can provide a sounding board through the "messy" stages of inception and the complexities of scaling. In short: Start with a purpose, find a mentor, and never stop being a student of your own industry.
Partnering with SCORE is more than just receiving business advice; it is an immersion into an influential circle of industry veterans and local leaders that accelerates a company’s trajectory. From the initial spark of a business idea, SCORE mentors provide the structural brainstorming needed to refine a concept into a viable model. They assist in every critical step of business inception—from tweaking a business plan to navigating the legal and financial hurdles of a startup. As a business moves into its growth phase, the relationship evolves into a strategic partnership, offering the high-level expertise required to scale operations, master marketing, and take calculated next steps. Ultimately, working with SCORE ensures that you never have to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship alone.
