Many folks expressed surprise last fall when the National Bureau of Economic Research announced that the recession actually ended in June 2009. The report was more than a little hard to swallow for many small business owners still struggling with an economy that started lagging in 2007.
The research organization made a point of saying the economy simply started a sputtering recovering in 2009, and it had not made a strong resurgence at that point. Throwing out all the economists’ technical analysis, you need look no further than this month’s Pumper for a few of our own indicators of an economic recovery.
Stories in this issue offer some powerful evidence that pumping — at least for these entrepreneurial contractors — is becoming a little more profitable.
CANADIAN SUCCESS STORY
In our cover story (“Boom Town”) writer Paul Holley introduces us to Sean Farrell, who boldly stepped out with his brother, Dominic, to start D & S Vacuum Truck Services in Torbay, Newfoundland and Labrador, in 1999. The brothers have ridden the wave of prosperity in Canada’s easternmost region, providing septic pumping and portable sanitation service in an area boosted by energy exploration.
The Farrells checked out restrooms at the 2010 Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International, needing to add 100 units to their inventory. “We’re pretty much maxed out in the summer,” said Farrell, who is contemplating adding another technician. “I don’t want to miss out on bookings, so that’s why I’m making the investment.”
HIS CAREER TAKES OFF
Leaving a 21-year career in the airline industry, Dennis Bowling has found greater fulfillment since he started Five Star Septic Service and Portable Toilet Rentals in Dry Ridge, Ky., in 2006. Even with longer hours on the job, Dennis and his wife, Tonya — featured in our second profile story (“Come Fly With Me!” by Dee Goerge) — couldn’t be happier.
“The only thing I regret is that I didn’t do it sooner,” Bowling said about his career change. “I want to be out there working.” The hard work during tough economic times has paid off with steady growth and the recent purchase of two smaller pumping companies in their area.
NEW PUMPER’S YEAR IN REVIEW
A year ago, we met pumper Ronnie Daniels, who had just opened the doors at Ronnie’s Septic Tank Service Inc. in Brewster, N.Y. He couldn’t have picked a tougher time to finance a new truck, just months after the fall 2008 banking crisis had brought small business lending to a standstill. But Daniels and his wife, Iris, prevailed, and they landed a truck and started pumping.
We returned to Daniels recently to see how things were going. His energy and optimism shown in our Pumper Interview story (“So Far, Very Good” by Paul Holley) is infectious. How are things going?
“In a word, great!’’ Daniels reported. “Word-of-mouth has been extremely strong for us. The customers I get by referral are the kind I like. I’ve had emergency calls on virtually every holiday the past year, but that’s OK. Our service is creating what I hope are customers for life.”
MOVING FORWARD
We hope 2011 holds the same optimism for your business as it does for these featured pumpers. If you have a success story to share with your fellow pumpers, let me know about it at editor@pumper.com. We can spread the good news!
