As the old adage goes ‘One man’s trash is another man’s treasure’, and for me that saying couldn’t be truer.

For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to have my own business and for far too long, I talked about and unpacked in my mind, some great business ideas, but with very little action.

I had been extremely fortunate with job opportunities in my career, having work ranging from pastoring in a church, selling advertising, travelling around the world promoting Australia’s education sector and working with State and Federal politicians to win and retain government.

All of these jobs were incredible in their own way and to say I have been blessed is an understatement, but despite these opportunities, a subtle gnawing on my heart and mind was always present.  ‘You need your own business’

At the beginning of 2022, that subtle gnawing had became a loud daily irritating alarm that rang clearly in my mind ‘if not now, then probably never’, and thus my decision to make an immediate change.

Rather than start something from scratch, I decided that buying an existing business was the best way forward.    I searched day and night, and over a 6 month period had explored running a fish and chip shop, a nail salon, a laundry service amongst others, but what stood out above all was a high pressure bin cleaning business.

Why you ask?

For 3 reasons! Firstly, the capital investment, whilst still a loan was an amount my risk-adverse nature was willing to take a shot on.   Secondly, I cleaned whilst I was a student at University and I thought my learned high standards of cleaning would make up for the shortfall in experience with a pressure gun and thirdly, according to the books, it seemed like a profitable business from day dot.

So at the end of May 2022, I took the leap.   I had resigned from my job, and left my airconditioned office and latte lifestyle and replaced it with a ute, the open road and a determination to succeed.

The First Week:

In the first week, having taken on the role of polishing up the most putrid of bins, I thought to myself ‘What have I done’, and by the end of the month, my body which had been accustomed to a sedentary life after 20 years sitting behind a desk, was ready to pack it in.

The frequent trips to the physio certainly helped, but if there was any way to turn this into a success, it was going to require my thinking to change.

Instead of concern for what the day looked like ahead, I woke up in the morning ready to tackle anything and all things in my path.   What for most would deem ‘too difficult’ or ‘near impossible’ cleans, I would learn to relish.    In fact, the more you could throw at me, the more resilient I was becoming.

By the time I got to the end of the first three months, I had turned a complete corner and instead of just living with the status quo that came with the business purchase, I was wishing for more…….and that’s exactly what has happened.

First 18 Months

For the first 18 months, I worked the jobs myself, learning all the tricks of the trade along the way, but the number of jobs had grown and too much for me to handle on my own, and it was time to hire my first person.

After trialling a few different people for casual shifts, I found the perfect person and then 6 months after that, another great guy. We are now at the two and a half year point, and whilst there has been challenges along the way, I couldn’t been happier.

When I think back, it was difficult leaving the reliability weekly wage of a job and the comfort of doing something I knew well, but to have my own business and growing team now is a dream come true.

When most people drive through their neighbourhoods and see bins sitting out the front of property, they just see someone’s trash, but for me, it has become a treasure.

Taking the leap into your own business can be daunting, but the reward for doing so is worth it. I’m not suggesting taking a leap without any harnesses attached, but to not take the leap, is a risk that become your biggest regret.

To all my friends and family, who supported me and encouraged me to have a shot, thank you so much. Upwards and onwards we keep going.