Image courtesy of Shaidle Cleaning
- Jacob Shaidle launched his barbecue cleaning venture in 2021 to help finance his university education.
- By 2024, he and a business partner propelled their company, Shaidle Cleaning, to generate six figures in annual revenue.
- The duo utilized mentorship, embraced digital solutions, automated processes, and cultivated a robust team.
In the summer of 2021, Jacob Shaidle embarked on a barbecue cleaning endeavor to cover his university expenses. Following a family convention at age sixteen where it was made clear he needed to self-fund his education—his hourly wage of $12 from working at a tree farm was insufficient—entrepreneurship appeared to be the only feasible route for him.
“Embracing entrepreneurship was my sole option,” he conveyed during an interview with Business Insider.
With an investment of nearly all his savings amounting to $400 towards equipment, Jacobs’ first customer came about by knocking on the door of his neighbor. His subsequent five jobs also unfolded within walking distance in Hamilton, Ontario.
The following summer witnessed continued momentum; revenue from barbecue cleanings allowed him to purchase a vehicle that extended his operational reach beyond immediate locality limitations.
Image courtesy of Jacob Shaidle
Fast forward to 2023: With an expanding clientele base and refined operational techniques, “I achieved my first $10K month,” shared Jacob subsequently attracting Aran Giffen—a friend and fellow student—to join forces with him.
Their venture has flourished remarkably; as they approach their third year at the University of British Columbia together managing [a href=’https://www.shaidlecleaning.ca/’]Shaidle Cleaning[/a], they anticipate reaching six-figure revenues verified by transaction records indicating successful summer operations through 2024. By that season’s end projected completion for close to 1,000 barbecues cleaned will likely yield approximately CA$150000 (roughly USD$109000).
This enterprising duo shared four pivotal strategies instrumental in their evolution from solo operation into employing twenty students across six municipalities throughout southern Ontario:
1. Leverage Mentorships & Develop Alliances
The young entrepreneurs recognize their limited experience due chiefly because they’re still quite young:
“I’m just nineteen years old; navigating legislation relevant for running businesses can be complex,” noted Jacob who credits guidance from established mentors like those overseeing Insight Pest—a home-service provider familiar with such challenges—as invaluable both strategically and legally while drafting essential contracts crucial for growth.
A token acknowledgement manifests through collaborative advertisement efforts inclusive of Insight Pest’s branding reflected upon team merchandise.
Additionally struck partnerships include collaborations with another local enterprise—the Strodes butcher shop—which supplies eco-friendly degreasers used across service manifestations along with liaised insurance firms guiding risk assessment protocols compatible with unique industries such as theirs where handling flammable devices occurs frequently necessitating elevated caution practices.
