The Can Man, Nick Boston
HOW DOES A YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR START?
One is the number of dumpsters Nick Boston purchased after his effort to make a go selling cars turned thankless. Now, the number is over thirty-seven in his thriving business as The Can Man Waste Solutions in Maine.
Nick laughs as he explains in the industry they call them cans. “The Can Man Can” to remind himself of his commitment to do what he says he will when he says he will. That spirit is obvious in the user-friendly design of his web site that closes with a personalized outreach to unmet needs in a section titled: How can we help you?
As he moved into a bigger market of residential trash, he hit a wall in his resources to figure things out. Working with his SCORE Seacoast mentor, Peter Stein, he received practical help on how to organize his pitch and his finances to work with a bank. They talked through strategies for expansion. As Nick recounts it, they “played the tape all the way through” to help him plan. Peter turned his extensive business experience into entrepreneurial capital for Nick’s work.
Over the course of their work, The Can Man’s business expanded to eight employees, including a general manager, and office manager. He has made acquisitions to serve needs for curbside trash pick up, bags, junk removal and estate clean out.
The important advice Nick says, was a version of slow down, take it one problem or one day at a time. The experience of being mentored was so powerful that he has now had a first opportunity to offer advice to a much younger, new entrepreneur.
I have extensive experience in small business sales, management, distribution and supply chain...
