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Episode 47: Jared Nigro on industry challenges as a start-up
177 Plays4 months ago
Kyle and Nate chat with Jared Nigro, the owner of Evo Tents, about his journey in the event rental industry. Jared shares insights on starting his business, navigating the challenges of the pandemic, and the importance of marketing and team dynamics. He discusses the growth of his company, the challenges of managing backyard weddings, and his aspirations for the future. The conversation highlights the significance of building a strong brand, effective payment terms, and the need for efficiency in operations.
This episode is brought to you by Anchor Industries. You can learn more at www.anchorinc.com.
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Transcript
Introduction to Under the Vinyl
00:00:01
Speaker
We are back. Another week of Under the Vinyl, a rental management media podcast. I'm Kyle, and I got my great co-host, Nate, here with me.
00:00:12
Speaker
How are you doing today, Nate?
00:00:19
Speaker
we are back another week of under the vinyl a rental management media podcast i'm kyle and i got my great co-host nate here with me how are you doing today nate Rough.
Nate's Challenging Week
00:00:32
Speaker
It's been a long three days of golf at a at a golf resort with no kids and away from my family, and this Monday morning is not is not the best. My ah son is home sick, so I think I just got stuck, and I just found out that my... taking vacation for the next couple weeks, and I found out that my almost three-year-old is out of daycare for the next two weeks. So I just got everything dumped on me this morning, but we're here.
00:00:57
Speaker
So what you're implying is that you might go to work for the next three weeks instead of using your vacation time? You know, I contemplated it, but then I thought about how much how much travel we have coming up for show season and everything else. So I will just suck it up and embrace it and collect those dad points where I can.
00:01:16
Speaker
Yeah. Hey, did I see some ah nice ah airfare this weekend for you? Were you flying a little fancy? I can't confirm or deny, but it was it was a good time.
00:01:27
Speaker
It was a good time. Well,
Guest Introduction: Jared Nigro
00:01:29
Speaker
I'm glad you had fun. It looked good. But we have a good guest today. I'm very excited. I got to spend some time with our guest in Chicago at ARA's Leadership Conference. um It was a very good time. So today we have Jared Nigro from Northbridge, Massachusetts. He owns Evo Tents, which started in business in 2019.
00:01:48
Speaker
Welcome to the podcast, Jared. Thank you very much for having me. Looking forward to it.
Starting Evo Tents
00:01:53
Speaker
So give us some background on how this all came to be. 2019, relatively newish business. And obviously that's pre-COVID.
00:02:01
Speaker
ah So you only had a year under your belt before that. So I'd love to kind of start at the beginning and kind of talk to how we got to where we are today. Yeah, absolutely. So growing up, I always wanted to start a company. I never knew what industry I wanted to land in or you know what kind of company I wanted to start.
00:02:17
Speaker
um So I just worked and essentially saved up money knowing I would eventually start a business. And I saw, or my my mom hosted a graduation party for my brother, and I didn't see how the tent went together. There there was a tent, tables, chairs. I didn't see how it went together, but it it you know just looking at it, I was like, oh, this must be easy.
00:02:38
Speaker
an easy industry to get into um and from there I kind of just dove into it so I purchased uh with the money I'd saved up purchased i hope I think it was one or two tents and then you know around seating for 100 um and and I've been growing it you know ever since but um yeah I just kind of dove into it no prior experience either so it's been what were your uh first two tents you bought um A 20 by 30 pole tent and a 20 by 20 pole tent, both from um a lower end manufacturer that I did not use anymore.
00:03:12
Speaker
So you learned that lesson pretty quick, that if you can buy it right online, it's probably not the best. Exactly. Exactly. Yeah. Bought it right online. What the early years kind of look like
Initial Projects and Growth
00:03:22
Speaker
for you? um What were you saying yes to and what were you saying no to? What were your kind of your main events that you got started in?
00:03:28
Speaker
Yeah, that's a great question. So I was doing this on the side um for, I believe, two years. So I was working at a bank, um which I am super glad I had that job. I was in the call center at a bank right across the street where i from where I live, actually. But um I learned a lot of communication skills, both email and phone call, which is super helpful transitioning into kind of a sales role in the office here.
00:03:53
Speaker
um So i was doing it part time and then i eventually got away from the bank this full time. But but to answer your question, a lot of smaller events, um you know, ah birthday parties, random, you know, kind of miscellaneous. We did do one or two weddings.
00:04:10
Speaker
um And what I would do eventually about a second 20 by 30 and i I set them up next to each other. So two 20 by 30s. and I thought that was like a good idea. And that's what I knew I needed 30
00:04:22
Speaker
But yeah, mostly small stuff. I didn't have a dance floor yet, and that was kind of a big purchase for me to get, actually. But um just small stuff, rarely
Marketing Strategies
00:04:31
Speaker
weddings. What was the marketing campaign looking like in those early years for you?
00:04:35
Speaker
Yeah, if you go to my if you go to my Evo Tense Facebook page or any of my personal... page on Facebook I was just spamming posts like I didn't know what to do so I didn't have Google Ads yeah I use Google Ads today it's a lot of Facebook groups I was posting a lot and I got kicked out of some so I'd post like incessantly um yeah honestly Facebook and word-of-mouth is what started it and did you feel like that was a good way to grow the business or if you had to change it and go back today would you do anything differently for kind of a newer operator listening
00:05:09
Speaker
Yeah, that's ah that's a great question. So depending on budget, let's say let's say there is no budget, which is unrealistic, but I would start with Google Ads, definitely. Open to Facebook, yeah. Yeah, and and I wasn't even advertising on Facebook. It was literally just um organic or free free posting.
00:05:25
Speaker
um But if I had more money or if I was more bold, I would have started with Google Ads probably because as soon as I did that, it helped a lot, took off.
00:05:36
Speaker
When do you think you designed your first iteration of your website? Do you know when that was? Oh, man. that The website has gone through so many iterations. I wish I had, I wish it didn't delete as you edit because I would love to show people what it looks like. You didn't start with a website right away though.
00:05:55
Speaker
I did. I started with a website right away. Yeah. Website to me is one of the the most important things that business can have, especially a business like ours, I suppose, an industry like ours where you you do have to travel. It's not like, you know, word of mouth will get you far, but it's kind of like you need to show yourself. um It's gone through a million, i don't know, probably 86
Impact of COVID-19
00:06:16
Speaker
iterations. Really? Probably 50. A lot, a lot.
00:06:20
Speaker
So 2019, your first season, then we hit 2020. Wonderful year for everyone. Yeah. How did that, were your initial thoughts, you know, spring of 2020 to how did your year end up and what kind of stuff were you doing in 2020?
00:06:39
Speaker
Yeah, so the business, it's it's a little misleading. The the company was founded in 2019, but it was November 2019. Okay. So my first job, if if my memory serves me, my first event was July 4th, 2020.
00:06:53
Speaker
So I didn't get, I don't know how I missed June. Where I am, Massachusetts, May and June, like most of the country, I assume is super busy for graduations. And I completely missed that somehow because I wasn't doing Google ads. Yeah.
00:07:07
Speaker
But yeah, it started slow. It started super slow. And then going into COVID, I didn't know any better. right i don't i didn't It's not like i had all these corporate and and wedding clients that just kind of dropped off.
00:07:21
Speaker
I just never had them. But I did have a mentor at that point and and friends within the industry. So I could see... you know where they were doing well and where they weren't um weddings weren't doing well but they were killing it because they had frame tents i did not have frame tents so you know the restaurants the medical testing sites e etc were doing very well for for a lot of companies and i just missed that mark unfortunately but luckily you didn't have that much overhead yet none yeah none yeah so that's right You
Transition to Warehouse Operations
00:07:51
Speaker
were working. that That was my next question. So you say you're working out of a shed. Where did you start and where are you today currently? And how long did it take to get to that point?
00:07:59
Speaker
Yeah, yeah. um So I started in ah my house where we are now. i have a home office. Eventually, I would love, I need to have a home and a warehouse. kind I'm sorry, an office a warehouse connected, but I digress. um So I started at my house in a shed that's like falling apart. It's small, like, i don't know, 12 by 20 or something um or smaller. And I would store all my pipe outside The shed would be for the tables and chairs and I would have stuff in the basement as well, like my vinyl.
00:08:28
Speaker
Um, so I started, I've been, I was here for like probably two seasons or two years. And then I moved literally right across the street to a ah warehouse. Um, and It's probably, I'm still there today. It's probably around like 5,000 to 6,000 square feet.
00:08:42
Speaker
um But it's perfect because i didn't I didn't look around much at all. I just went up and said, do you have I needed a space that had ramp and a loading dock. Because at the time, I only had a trailer. But I knew I would have eventually have a box truck.
00:08:56
Speaker
And yeah, they had they had that setup, which I thought was awesome. It was perfect. It was unusual. I didn't think they were going to say yes to that. But um yeah, so probably within two years, I moved to a warehouse, which was a scary jump, but it makes all the difference.
00:09:09
Speaker
Having a loading dock is unreal. I love it. Yeah. What is your... Oh, you can go, Nate. Yeah, what's your team currently made of right now? who do you How many people do you have currently?
00:09:21
Speaker
Yeah, that's a good question. I do have to figure out the full-time equivalent, ah but just to break it down, I have two people in the office and then myself. I'm still going on the field for sure.
00:09:32
Speaker
And then during peak season with all you know all employees, including somebody that maybe cleans chairs six hours a week, probably 12 employees, but the bulk of it is you know six six to eight out out in the field and two in the warehouse.
Specialization and Growth Plans
00:09:48
Speaker
So yeah, like eight eight to 10 on a given day, I'd say. so so Do you feel like you're, um do you feel like that you're moving towards more of a design side, tent side, tables and chairs? Kind of where where do you guys fall that you think you try to hone in on that's most profitable for you?
00:10:03
Speaker
Yeah, that's a good question. um That's something I always kind of struggled with being candid, i kind of the vision for the company. and um We're definitely moving toward more weddings, which is which is great. I don't mind them.
00:10:15
Speaker
I feel most of our clientele is respectful. We don't get many bridezillas, if you will. So i don't mind the weddings. Yeah, exactly. it's Yeah. um But tennt tent heavy, no tabletop, probably get into, you know, dishware. We will get into dishware and all that eventually.
00:10:36
Speaker
um But yeah, tabletop isn't like a focus of mine. Yeah. Definitely more the basics, kind of keep basic, tense, stable, shares. But, yeah, I'm not at a level where, at you know, eventually soon I want a 40 wide frame and then probably a sailcloth. And that's like the vision for now. So it's, you know, in staging. So kind of the basics. And then maybe at that point I'll decide, all right, let's, you know, let's focus corporate or let's focus tabletop in general or, you know, et cetera. But for now i'm just kind of growing by the the steps that make sense in my head.
00:11:07
Speaker
kind of Let's take a moment to hear from our sponsors.
Sponsorship Break: Anker Industries
00:11:11
Speaker
This episode of Under the Vinyl is brought to you by Anker Industries, a fifth generation, family owned, American manufacturer of tents and clear span structures.
00:11:19
Speaker
Anker has spent decades engineering products that last season after season, and they're more than just your supplier. They're a partner committed to helping grow your business. And right now, Anker's winner discount is live. Get 15% off frame, fabric, and accessories for your tents and clear spans now through January 26th. Make sure you let them know Kyle and Nate sent you.
00:11:39
Speaker
Contact your sales rep today. Call 800-544-4445 visit anchorinc.com learn more. four four four five or visit anchorink dot com to learn more
00:11:49
Speaker
So we hear from a lot of people that they get in that spot as a small company and they're trying to grow and they kind of get in that stuck spot. Do you feel like you're in that position right now where you're trying to figure out which direction you want to go?
Challenges of Specialization
00:12:02
Speaker
If you kind of want to level it out and stay where you're at and hone in more on product and quality, or you continuing to grow this? Not saying if you grew it, your quality wouldn't be as good, but do you feel like which direction there's a certain direction need to go currently right now, um but there might be something different in the future?
00:12:19
Speaker
Right, yeah, like that's that's a valid question. So right now I don't feel stuck. um I feel like I know the next steps. i don't want to you know i don't I don't know if I want to be you know the clear top company or the tabletop company or the the crazy chair company, but I do know I want to get to a ah certain size um and we're not there yet. So it's you know the 40 wide frame, most likely the sailcloth, kind of the the basics as mentioned previously. So I don't feel stuck now. um But maybe in the you know in the future, things will probably change. I'll probably specialize.
00:12:53
Speaker
um but well yeah like I like what you just said right there. You will specialize. I feel so many of the ah small to mid-range companies want to be everything to everyone, to all their clients.
00:13:07
Speaker
And I think that's where they get themselves stuck or in trouble. Whereas if you specialize, like you just said, like, I want to be really good at these five things, six things, whatever it is. I think that can take you so much farther than I'm going to have 50 different pieces of China and 50 different chairs and all this stuff. And you just end up spending so much capital on that thing. So you don't get to be really good at other things.
00:13:32
Speaker
Yeah. Right. Yeah. it's It's hard to do to so to specialize. And and it's, You know, I'm falling into the trap now probably of having, you know, i just want to take what I can get ah that comes in. I mean, i'm I'm a little bit more picky now.
00:13:46
Speaker
You know, if a job seems like it's not for us, it's, you know, I'll i'll turn it down. But it is hard to to say, you know, we're going to be the sailcloth company or we're going to be the the decor company. it's It's hard to do.
00:13:58
Speaker
But I agree with you.
00:14:02
Speaker
So with that, then are you working more with planners or venues? do you find one or the other um better to work with that you've kind of put your eggs more into one basket or you still just ah relying on the calls and and taking orders from phone calls that are coming in? Where have you made your connections at to stabilize that business?
Building Connections and Brand Image
00:14:21
Speaker
Yeah, so right now we we focus set up all right we rely on inbound pretty heavily. um And I'm not sure if it's but the area I'm from or just maybe my due diligence, I'm just not great at at kind of connecting with those event planners. um That being said, we do work with a couple of event planners and we end venues.
00:14:39
Speaker
um And that's something we're working on this winter, actually. um I have a woman that works in the office that's great at sales and she is not afraid to to, you know, meet these people or kind of go out go go out on a limb. So this winter she'll be traveling around introducing the company. so we're... we're You know, focusing more on on outbound and making those connections, even if we just get one or two, you know, you know a event planner, caterer, venue.
00:15:07
Speaker
But to answer your question, I love venues because even if the venue wants to speak with us directly, that's fine. They kind of have it. They know what they're doing. Or even if they just send us the client, that's fine, too. But...
00:15:20
Speaker
Venues are great. Yeah, it's just, it's not as, they're not as picky as ah an event planner, which is which is fair. you know, event planner has their place too. It's a stressful job, and I imagine, but I do love venues.
00:15:31
Speaker
Yeah, I feel like a venue is the staff there is usually more professional than some ah event planners who are handling, you know, the small 100 person to 150, 200 people wedding. Only because some of those planners, you realize that I think they planned their own wedding sometimes.
00:15:48
Speaker
And then they think, oh, that was easy. Right. I can do this great job. I also feel like you're in a good spot and your size business is in a good spot to work with venues a little bit better than, let's say, the bigger ones that maybe don't want to come back after hours and things like that um or don't want to come back late night where you probably feed on that business. So you're like, absolutely. Like, we'll come back at 11 o'clock, at midnight, one o'clock, um you know, for fee. and and And I feel like that's those venues.
00:16:17
Speaker
are great for companies of your size that, you know, want to jump on that and partner with and make good connections with. Yeah. Yeah, I don't i don't know. if I think it's a stretch saying I'll jump on it, but it will will do it, but I can't stand it. I don't think anyone likes it.
00:16:35
Speaker
Yeah, I'm sure nobody likes it, but if you charge enough, you know he can smile while doing it. Yeah, exactly. yeah yeah Smile while you're angry. yeah like Yeah, exactly. You don't have to be angry, Kyle. this business There's no anger in this business at all. Come on. Yeah.
00:16:49
Speaker
So do you think you've been intentional about building the brand or do you think it's been more organically then with kind of not so much chasing the business and just letting stuff come in, but, you know, making connections here and there?
00:17:01
Speaker
Which way do you feel like you've gone on that? Yeah. So as as far as brand aesthetic goes from the beginning, that's always been extremely important to me, um you know, giving off that professional um vibe if you will and you know friendliness and a clean look you're not you know we'll we don't get a lot of requests for for backyard birthday parties anymore to kind of put it that way it's like if you're if you're coming to us you're you're looking for something legitimate you understand you're going to spend some money but it's it's going to get done right um and that has tra you know resonate with resonated with our clients i remember we had a client
00:17:41
Speaker
last year he said he went with us specifically because he could have gone with somebody else that does bouncy houses and he knows them well but he wanted a tent company so i want to be you know a tent company um and then as far as growth you know whether it be intentional or organic um you know like i mentioned earlier sometimes i struggle with the vision a little bit so it's been you know, kind of where where my clients take me a little bit, if you will. um As I mentioned, where we're definitely doing a lot more weddings than we used to.
00:18:11
Speaker
And I and my my employees, and you know, enjoy that side of it. So far, we haven't gotten many, you know, we just try we do the best we can. Communication is huge, avoids a lot of problems. So it's been it's been good. um Yeah, so it's not always as planned out as maybe it should be.
00:18:27
Speaker
be to be honest. I feel like that's the nature of this industry in
Networking and Industry Insights
00:18:31
Speaker
general. you know Every plan is like two minutes away from being screwed and you have to pivot right away. that's just we have we There's no tomorrow in our industry, so no matter what the issue is, you have to pivot. you you can't A plan is only good for the minute you're saying it and then it's out the window. yeah but ah You've mentioned a mentor in the industry. No.
00:18:53
Speaker
You know a lot about this sin industry. i You and I have had some great conversation and I see you post all the time in the Facebook groups. yeah Who or what has been your biggest information source?
00:19:05
Speaker
How are you gathering all the information? What are you know some advice for some other guys looking to get more info? Yeah, yeah. So definitely i post a lot in that Facebook group.
00:19:18
Speaker
think it's professional tent and event rental, if not mistaken. I've toned it down a little bit, but i that has been ah an amazing source of information and an amazing source of networking.
00:19:30
Speaker
because I met so many people through it. um And then just going honestly going to ARA events or, you know, Match or ATA, going to those big events, you know, out of state, but even, you know, the the yearly events or even, i don't know if Match or Desert or the others, but ARA,
00:19:48
Speaker
I'm on the board of ARA in Massachusetts. we We'll host events for our members. And just going to those events is super helpful because now it's, you know, you're networking with people within your state, which of course is helpful if you're missing a tent part or or what have you, or just, a you know, you're going to meet people that are different levels than you.
00:20:06
Speaker
So they've already passed. They've already dealt with things that you're dealing with now. So it's just, Just talking with people is super helpful. But, yeah, Facebook groups, going to events, and the ARA actually has ah a mentorship program, so you can find a one-on-one mentor.
00:20:23
Speaker
And that I did that. I met um Jet Hennigan. Shout out to Jet at Dreamers Event Rentals in Maryland. Super helpful and a great guy. So he helped me a lot.
00:20:34
Speaker
But, yeah, to answer your questions, kind of go out go out and ask questions. People love it. Yeah, and that's me and Nate try to preach that all the time that, you know, some of the older guys in this industry, they're not going to just call you and give you the answers.
00:20:48
Speaker
Right. But if you call them and start talking to them. The door's open. the door is always open. Yeah. they They want to help guys like – I love, I'm sometimes envious of like people like you, Jared, with the smaller companies. Like, I think it's much more, it was much more fun when we were a smaller company than I'm having now sometimes. It's much more fun when you don't have so much responsibility on you. You don't have to make the money decisions. That's what it is. be honest.
00:21:16
Speaker
Well, and I'm looking at, I'm looking at a lot of your, um, your Facebook pictures and things here on your website. And I see you guys do a lot of backyard weddings, um, in the area. So what do you find the most challenging about these backyard weddings? Um, you know, and, and what, what goes into that as well as what tent manufacturers are you relying on for, uh, for your current inventory?
Diverse Inventory and Client Communication
00:21:37
Speaker
Yeah, so I'll answer the the manufacturer question first. um I have a mix, like probably most companies, which I think is it was fair. um So for my 30 and 40 wide pole, I use Aztec.
00:21:49
Speaker
Same with my West Coast, 20 wide West Coast. And then I have 30 wide Keter. I use Anchor. And then I use Intentional Systems for my 20 wide pole. And then for 20 wide high peak frame, I use Fred's.
00:22:03
Speaker
I think that's all of them. So, Mason Manufacturers love them You're covering the bases. Yeah. yeah Yeah. I have it all. Yeah. But, yeah, they're all great. They're all honestly all great.
00:22:14
Speaker
um And then Challenge. You know what? A Challenge I've been running into... Because, ah you know, as a business owner, of course, you want to step away as much as possible, which newsflash in this industry is ah extremely difficult.
00:22:28
Speaker
I'm sure at all. is But um so something I struggle with is electricity on a job, say, or planning of doors on a tent because, well, I guess not so much doors, but if you know If you have a fan, lights, an exit sign or two, it's it's hard to... I don't always know how many extension cords to bring, and I just i want to make a map for the guys, but I just i just bring a bunch of extension cords and three-way connectors, and I know I'll make it happen.
00:22:56
Speaker
Maybe I'm getting a little nitty-gritty with what I struggle with on a job site, but basically... what I struggle with is giving, giving the guys or, or women everything they need to know. So I don't have to be there. And that's just always going to be a struggle. It depends, you know, could be a tight yard, you know, a stake specifically has to go here.
00:23:15
Speaker
Um, but other than that, dealing with, with weddings in general, um, ah just communication, I think it's great. we We check in two months before, two weeks before and a week before the event.
00:23:26
Speaker
And it just keeps everybody at ease, keeps us on track. Um, For the most part, it runs like any other event, to be honest with you, I'd say. What are your, this is going to be new question I'm going to start asking people because we have this debate my office now. What are your payment terms?
Payment Terms and Cancellations
00:23:40
Speaker
Payment terms. We we do 50% non-refundable deposit, which we might have to change the word deposit. I've heard heard rumors in the tent group. 50% non-refundable deposit to book, um and then 50% two weeks prior to the event date.
00:23:56
Speaker
cancellation, as you know, we all bend, I'm assuming. It's tricky. Don't say that out loud. Don't say that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, you know, ideally... Next year's listening right now, Jared. She's going to call you the week before and cancel, make you feel guilty.
00:24:12
Speaker
um it's It's tricky. i don't know if you want to get into cancellation, but yeah, it's... No, I i love talking talking about stuff like this. Okay, yeah, yeah. So we'll, sometimes we'll do a ah credit.
00:24:23
Speaker
But so the the tricky thing about a credit is that It depends on when they cancel because ah if a bride, say, have at wedding in two weeks and she cancels and I give her credit, that's good for a year, it say it's $2,000 for deposit, i i love she's taking two event dates for $2,000 because I am not booking a $4,000 wedding in two weeks.
00:24:46
Speaker
um So that's that's my gripe with a credit. Or sometimes we'll do half the deposit back or full deposit back or nothing. It depends on how it depends on how how hard I'm willing to fight, to be honest with the that's I love the thought behind that, that you're losing two weekends. Because it's true.
00:25:04
Speaker
It's true, yeah. because people My other thing, well, your hope is that they're not going to call you. Oh, cancel? Yeah, no. No, no. Your hope is that they're if they cancel, they're not going to use it in the year.
00:25:15
Speaker
Oh, 100%. Yeah. That's what you're banking on, is that they won't reuse it. Yeah. Odds are they're going to use it. Yeah. And you've now lost two weekends to this ride. Right.
00:25:28
Speaker
right And that that's the problem. Yeah. But we all have hearts. Unfortunately. Yeah. Yeah, we do. But um and going back to your talking about playing the head and and getting things out there, you know, I hate to tell you, but no matter how much bigger you get, it doesn't get much easier. I hired a project manager up in Nashville this year. Yeah.
00:25:49
Speaker
I don't want to call it micromanaging, but I still feel like sometimes I should be there, even though I give them all the information in the world. It's hard in this industry just to let go. That's why Kyle decides he wants to play CDL driver from time to time. um But we also, I think once a we talk about this day in and day out, is once it gets in your blood and you go do it, it's like, yes, I want to take a step back. Yes, I'm tired. Yes, I don't want to go out there, but I kind of really do want to go put my hands on something, be out there with the guys and that camaraderie and everything else. And I noticed like on your page, like you post a lot of pictures your guys and your crews, you know, out there having fun and and and enjoying it. And
Team Morale and Dynamics
00:26:27
Speaker
that's what it's all about. i mean, in that small business, I think you are probably grinding a little bit harder, if not all, all harder than these bigger companies, because you got You got to get to where you want to be at some point. But keeping the crews happy is is huge. So I think being out there with them and just showing them how much fun it can be if you let it be, you know, is huge as well. And so how are you keeping those guys motivated in in your small business?
00:26:55
Speaker
Yeah, so so I'm pretty fortunate, and this might not resonate to many. um So I've had the same guys for like, you know, give give or take, same guys for like two two to three years.
00:27:06
Speaker
So it's been easy. You know, they're all friends of friends. or They're all friends with each other, which is good and bad, by the way. but ah So they've all – it's been easy. Like we're all just – you know, happy most of the time. And when, so you know, when people start complaining, I just, I'm like, you know, we're at the finish line or here we go. Or I'll just start like getting hype because it's fun. Like, yeah it you know, it can suck, but I tell the guys, it's like, you know, this year, you know, we didn't get much rain at all. We we did, it was all on the weekends, which was awesome because we don't work the weekends, you know, frequently and it gets us business. So I can
00:27:43
Speaker
I'll just, you know, kind of instill on them, like, yeah, like, ah you know, I say a lot. I say it can always be worse. Like, if it's freezing out, I'm like, well, at least it's not raining. And if it's raining, I'm like, well, at least it's not cold. Or like, you know, it can always be worse.
00:27:57
Speaker
And then just, I just put my head down and I think the guys... you know We all just kind of try to get it done, but we goof around a ton. like Sometimes i'll have to reel it in a little bit, but just having fun, it's like, why not? i don't know. It's cool. like We're going out here. We're working outside and setting up tents.
00:28:14
Speaker
What a cool job. i don't know. It's fun. It's a really good job. You have to rein it in part on the goofing off thing. yeah I'm going through that now where I'm not their friend anymore.
00:28:25
Speaker
They finally all have started to hate me. And I've realized that that's what has to happen. hey And that's the hardest part is because I was like you on every job site, you know, we're all... It's fun. I miss that part of it. The goofing off that you're having a fun, you're laughing, you're having a good time. And then eventually you have to cross the line of now i'm mac I have to be the boss. And then that's when it sucks.
00:28:49
Speaker
And there's a fine line, but yeah I've been there with that in my, in my last, the last company that i worked for, where you had to put your foot down and be the asshole. I'm sorry, but sometimes you got to do it and it is what it is. And, but it's for the betterment of the company at the end of the day. And I had,
00:29:05
Speaker
a guy that took my position that i kind of mentored and i put my foot in his butt a lot when i was there um and then when i left he kind of took my position and he called me about six months later and he goes you know I always, you were kind of an asshole when you were here, but now I understand why he goes. And now I'm that guy and everybody's calling me that, but he's like, now I totally understand why. And I get it. And they do over time. I think it's just, it's hard, but with a small crew, I'm sure it's even harder to, you know, really kind of balance that as well.
00:29:37
Speaker
Yeah, no, that's that's something i I definitely struggle with, 100%. Especially because some of the people I work with are, are I'm the oldest one at the company. I'm 28. But, you know, so everybody's like 21 to 25. And some are, you know, most are friends. They're all friends, but...
00:29:54
Speaker
um Next year, we we might be losing a couple people because they're going to callp are are they graduating. They're to move on to something else. So I told Danny, he's my crew lead, that next year I'm not friends with anybody. like We have a ah fresh slate coming in.
00:30:09
Speaker
But it's going to be hard, and I'll probably fail at that. it's like I just like to be fun and like yeah you know talk to everybody, but it's just not it's it's it's tricky. it's It is a fine line because then they know – they learn you and they can, they know what can push your buns, but like not too far.
00:30:26
Speaker
yeah i kind of get away with things. and Sometimes they don't know where the line is. That too. And that's something that I, right. Cause, cause I left it blurry.
00:30:37
Speaker
yeah They don't know where it is because I'm exactly. Um, but something that actually someone on the board of ARA taught me, she's, um, she's a mom and she, you know, people will be late or whatever. And she said as a mom or as this or as that, I get it. Like, I feel you, like I'm with you, but you know, as a business owner, like you got to show up on time. They're like, no, no, I get it.
00:30:59
Speaker
So like that has helped her, she said recently. so I'm going to give that a try, I think. Like, you know, as your boy, like, I don't know if you should say as a mom. Yeah, I'm not. um I'm going to skip that part. But ah yeah, trying to relate to that, like there's two different halves of Jared. There's the fun, like, I'm your boy. But then there's also like, I'm running a company and payroll sucks. Yeah. Like, we got to do, you know what i
Financial Transparency and Efficiency
00:31:21
Speaker
mean? Yeah.
00:31:21
Speaker
Also, I found that if you share the numbers, you know, that might be a little, it's kind of intimidating to give those numbers out. Maybe was smaller company, you know, but to at least give them some kind of insight to say, look, this is why I care. This is what I'm trying to do right now. This is where we're at. And this is where we're trying to go. And in order for us to get a new building, a new truck, a new, whatever it is, this is what I need from you all. And this is why sometimes I just got to my foot down.
00:31:45
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. No, I do share the numbers, but, um, I should, uh, I share the good ones. I should share the bad more often. i tell You should share the bad. No, you should share the bad more than the good. like i agree. I just started telling my guys when they messed something up, like, all right, okay, that cost us $1,500. Thank you.
00:32:02
Speaker
thank you but But if you break it down to them, I mean, and and it can be, you know, I just had a meeting with our guys at the end of the year and we went over the numbers of, ah you know, what we did and just talking about what we lost and what we did good on. And it just helps because when they're going to go back out to this job, then they know, hey, I'm going to put fuel in the 10-ox before I go out there. I'm going to do this. I'm going to do that. But and then jumping over to the 10-ox side. So I don't do you guys have it? You don't have a 10-ox? You do have a 10-ox?
00:32:30
Speaker
I do not have a 10-ox, but many people tell you that one. All right, so that was my next question is, what are you doing to stay away from the 10-ox and what pieces of machinery are you guys using currently?
00:32:41
Speaker
Yeah, so that's that's a super good question because that's kind of, that's a big thing for me heading into 2026 is something I need to change. So I was talking to one of my guys about, you know, just scheduling and and what have you. And he's like, yeah, you know, it sucks. Sometimes they'll send three guys and I think we should have four. And I'm like, all right, that's a valid concern. but like, sometimes you're right. Sometimes we should have had four. Sometimes i'm just, it makes sense to have three with a longer day versus four, save two hours. And it costs less to just have the three.
00:33:11
Speaker
But I said, another piece of this puzzle that we're not discussing is efficiency on a job site because I never talked to him about this. And I said, we can get an electric, dolly and a hydraulic stake puller um so to answer your your question they right now we're using a stake driver for sure rhino stake drivers uh we have three of them and then we have two uh three jack jaws so but very rudimentary um but there's things that can really level that up without even without the tent dogs um you know if you're dealing with a hill well now it's not a big deal you have the electric dolly but there's a give and a take because now things the bulky and heavy if it dies or what have you but
00:33:49
Speaker
um I think, yeah, leveling up and investing in my guys is the next big thing I have to do. Different carts, different dollies, electric things, hydraulic things, machinery. Do you have labor concerns over the next five years? I know you said don't like to look at vision.
00:34:05
Speaker
Yeah. No, I just struggle with vision. don't mind looking at it. I don't mind looking at it. Yeah. Yeah. i um something yeah If I'm speaking candidly, something I i struggle with is – I want to pay people really well and it's just hard. Maybe, ah maybe at my size or maybe in general in this industry, i think something else it's hard in general.
00:34:27
Speaker
Yeah. I've, I assumed I would love for this industry to change in that regard, but it's, it's hard. It's niche. You don't need tents all the time. It's not like construction where you're constantly fixing roads. It's like, you need a tent here and there.
00:34:40
Speaker
But so in that regard, yes, you know, having, you know, top performers or managers paying them well. um As far as like kind of like here and there labor, ah feel like it's fine. You know, it's it's always going to be as it is what it is situation.
00:34:55
Speaker
um You even, you know, you have the third party companies you can use or you'll just, you'll always have the college kids. Yeah. But for a career path path, I do get nervous. Yes. Yeah. And then with that labor as well, you know, just, I feel like I pitched a 10 OX on every dang episode that we're on. So Andy, you need to start writing me a check. Um, but at this point, I think, you know, looking at why I asked kind of about what you're using in the different machines and things you're using, um, currently is cause I think that to get to the point of being able to pay people more, just like what you're saying, that 10 OX is going to take you to that next level. um whether that be the smaller one or moving to a five series or whatever that looks like. um
00:35:38
Speaker
You know, I think you can, if you can invest in the guys a little bit and just say, Hey, these are the numbers. This is what it costs to get a 10 ox. This is where we want to go with this 10 ox. This can alleviate a couple of guys or one guy or whatever that looks like on the job site. Now we can maybe take two jobs in a day and now we're being even more profitable rather than just the one or two on a weekend or whatever that looks like.
00:35:58
Speaker
So then I can pay you guys more. and then you can do
Benefits of Tent OX Acquisition
00:36:00
Speaker
what you want. Yes, you're investing $60,000, let's just say, in the 10-ox up front or you know over a span of time. But I think you look at what that's going to save you is hiring two more employees, three more employees. Then you can ah go back and look at paying those guys more. And that's kind of the way of this industry. This industry is more about efficiencies than anything. And if we can be efficient in labor and and different things like that, then we can go forward to pay people more and and ultimately not burn them out.
00:36:29
Speaker
Right, right. and i And I know you're right. I'm just afraid to make the jump because, to be completely honest. Scared money don't make money, Jared. Come on, baby. I i know. i just it It would completely transform the way we operate currently. yeah For example, nothing is palletized in my warehouse. like i don't I don't have a forklift. So it would be a big jump. And I need another vehicle. um Yeah. yeah and that's the i'll give you that one.
00:36:54
Speaker
It's not just, oh I'm buying a 10-ox. It's, I'm buying a 10-ox. I'm buying a truck. I got to redo my whole operation. There is a lot that goes into it. There's a long winter time ahead, Kyle. A long winter time ahead. Hey, hey, hey. I'm trying to help the kid.
00:37:08
Speaker
i'll I'll get to it eventually. I've been taking it. So the way it just kind of put you into my mind, I went 20-wide pole, then 20-wide frame, then 30-wide pole, 40-wide pole, 30-wide frame. So I step up. I take steps. I'm not...
00:37:21
Speaker
You know, it slows me down maybe, but that's fine. I'm comfortable. I want to it right. I think it's smart. Some of these guys go 20 wide frame to 20 meter structure. and I'm like, what are you doing?
00:37:32
Speaker
Yeah. You everything in between. Right. So I'll get to the 10 talks for sure. 100%. one hundred percent What do you, what do you guys, speaking of winter, what are you guys currently doing or do you keep everybody on during the winter? i mean, just in general with different projects to work on or you laying some people off or some guys find other jobs. What are you guys currently doing?
Winter Operations and Future Plans
00:37:55
Speaker
Yeah, so what we do is i have um one person full-time in the office year-round, and I have one person part-time in the office. We keep our hours the same, which I might change that up, but it's always 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
00:38:10
Speaker
all year-round. And then I have one person, Danny, a crew lead part-time during the winter. which see you got to find the right people because it works for him because he has, um he sells clothing on the vintage clothing on the side and he gets busy in the winter. and He's like, this is great.
00:38:27
Speaker
And he also appreciates. Yeah. yeah And I think, you know, my generation, and his generation more, more than you, you guys' generation appreciate it. But, you know, being at home and kind of like a balanced lifestyle,
00:38:39
Speaker
um But to answer your question, yeah, three people, which would be two, including myself, three full-time equivalent the winter. We're working on, um I do not have a tent washer. We'll have a tent washer eventually. So we scrub vinyl. um work on processes, organization. we're going to redo the whole warehouse. Like we have to move things around um and training guides for next year.
00:39:03
Speaker
So there's a, we've been keeping busy, honestly, which is good. So hate the winter. So i'm keeping busy. those wendy You mentioned, you mentioned just kind of the work-life balance. Do you have kids, kids of your own?
00:39:16
Speaker
No, I do not. Okay. So you're 28 just grinding it out out here, and and you don't really have to have the balance right now, but you're eventually going to make sure that you find that.
Work-Life Balance and Growth
00:39:25
Speaker
Yeah, no, 100%. And i do I do appreciate a balance for sure. That's something I struggle with. you know Sometimes I'm like, this year I was good about it, actually. i just I kind of want to take anything that came in. Not that I'm going to do something I'm not capable of and make a fool of myself, but if there's a last minute 20 by 20 or 40 wide and I'm like, we're already slammed, you know, I'll either pay the guys extra or figure it out.
00:39:48
Speaker
um Yeah. But ah it it wears on you for sure. And I, so, and you know, I'm young, so I'm like, let's just do it. Let's grow the company as much as I can. And then I will, you know, eventually need need that balance for sure.
00:40:00
Speaker
Well, wrapping up here then, Jared, what excites you most about Evo Tents right now and for the future? What excites me most is having, eventually I will have, you'll walk into my warehouse and will look like Home Depot. Super organized. No, it'll look like a Walmart.
00:40:20
Speaker
I don't know. Something very organized. It's going to tape on the floors, everything color coded, signs like Home Depot has hung up. Like I want it to be dialed in. um And just, you know, seeing where it would, where it will go. i mean, it's, it's, you know, i say it often to my, my team. It's like, we're a bunch of 20 year olds running a company.
00:40:38
Speaker
You know, these brides are trusting us, a you know, a $10,000 wedding. We don't get that often, but, you know, a $10,000 wedding, it's like, what is crazy. These people, these people have no idea. I'm not even 30. None of us have kids. We're just, but we do a good job. People see what we do. We we take it seriously. I'll fix something if it goes south.
00:40:57
Speaker
Um, So it's it's fun to see where where it will take us, I guess. But just keep that in the back of your mind and use that as motivation. You are a 28-year-old that is grinding with his buddies and having a good time right now. And where this can go, if you're doing a only doing a $5,000 wedding, occasional $10,000 wedding now, think of where you can be in the future and use that as motivation. Because there isn't very many people your age that are willing to dive in and grind it out like you are.
Conclusion and Motivation
00:41:24
Speaker
So just keep building off that. And, um you know, we'd love to have you come back on in another year or two and kind of see where you're at and hopefully you're at that Home Depot level or you got the 10 OX, yeah you got the 10 OX or everything's palletized or, you know, different things. You know, it's I think it's exciting to hear people like you at your age that are that are willing to put in the effort because this isn't a fun industry.
00:41:44
Speaker
If you don't if you don't let it be. It can be really tough and miserable and it can burn you out really fast. But I think that you're finding the goods in it currently. And I just think you just need to keep doing that.
00:41:55
Speaker
Yeah, no, thank you. I appreciate the kind words. And yeah, I'd love to be back. We'll do it. We'll do a a Jared recap. Yeah, I love it. Jared 2.0. Let's do that. ah Well, Kyle and Jared, it's been a good good episode here. um And, yeah, let's ah let's see if we can get you back on, see where you're at, and see how things are going. And good luck over the winter for this next season.
00:42:20
Speaker
Awesome. Thanks so much for having me, guys. I really appreciate it. Thank you. This has been another episode of Under the Vinyl, a rental management media podcast.