Name: Andrew Banta
Age: 27
Hometown: Williston, ND
Education: Associates Degree from Williston State College
Name of Business: Bluebird Exterior Services LLC – A Window and Gutter Cleaning Company
Business Type: Single Owner LLC
How did you get started?: I had been considering a variety of different side businesses I could start in Bismarck and this one stuck. It’s a niche with plenty of opportunity to grow and a business I could run by myself. I started small with a few customers and then my phone kept ringing so I kept working and have stayed plenty busy ever since.
What I do every day: Each day is a little different because I still maintain a full-time job installing security systems for Vivint and service my Bluebird customers on my days off. While working for Bluebird I have focused on washing windows, cleaning gutters, and pressure washing.
Successes: Landing big jobs is always an exciting challenge -you get the joy of winning the bid to service a large facility and then as a sole employee you have to ensure work gets done on time.
Challenges: Paperwork! I would probably end up working for free and never sending out a single bill if my wife was not so diligent to ensure I finish the processes.
Advice for other YPs: Just do it and start with cash! It may seem like cheesy advice, but we are blessed to live in an area with a thriving economy and there is no better time than the present. The sooner you take the plunge and begin a business you get to remove the “what if…” from your life. Worst case scenario, your idea doesn’t take off, you learned valuable lessons, and by starting with cash you won’t have debt to haunt you. Best case, you’re doing something you enjoy and growing as an individual.
Lastly, embrace the network! My business has benefited from attending events and developing relationships with other YP’ers. The people you meet encourage you to grow and develop and may even pass business your way. I want to thank Stacey Thomas who was overly generous to embrace a stranger and help him out as well.
Cheers to making this year the best year of your life!
