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Side Hustle Idea: Water Tank Cleaning
Learn from Robin as he talks us through his water tank cleaning business.
Happy Sunday. This week weāre talking with Robin, an entrepreneur who works a business focused around water tank cleaning in an effort to provide a service to the community by offering specialised service for cleaning outdoor water tanks, focusing on removing sludge from the bottom while reducing water wastage.
In this interview Robin will cover:
Identifying and filling a market gap.
Using education as a key to success.
Why effective marketing is crucial for growth.
Now, over to Robin!
The Tank Doctor
Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your business?
My name is Robin Blake, and Iām based in Cape Town, South Africa. I come from a background in IT, with extensive experience in software development and sales, but recently Iāve transitioned into a new venture that addresses a critical issue in water management. My company, The Tank Doctor, specialises in cleaning outdoor water tanks, with a particular focus on removing the sludge and sediment that accumulates at the bottom. What sets us apart is our unique process that minimises water loss, allowing us to preserve the tankās contents during cleaning. This means the tanks are immediately usable once weāre done, which is a big advantage for our clients who rely on uninterrupted access to stored water.
What inspired you to get into this line of work?
The idea for The Tank Doctor came about when my business partner, Roy, and I were exploring potential new business opportunities. We were introduced to an innovative method for cleaning outdoor water tanks by a friend. In South Africa, outdoor water tanks are incredibly common across a wide range of sectors, from households to schools, businesses, nurseries, and hospitals. However, through our research, we discovered that while many people rely on these tanks, very few understood the importance of regularly cleaning them, and there was no specialised service addressing this need in the market. This untapped opportunity inspired us to fill the gap by developing a service that not only cleans water tanks effectively but does so without wasting waterāa particularly important factor in a country like South Africa, where water conservation is critical.
How do you define success in your business?
For us, success goes beyond just making a profit. Of course, financial sustainability is important, but what really drives us is making a meaningful impact through our work. We measure success by our ability to help people understand the importance of maintaining clean water tanks and ensuring that they have access to cleaner, safer water. A large part of our mission involves educating our customers about how keeping their tanks clean contributes to the longevity of their water systems and the quality of the water they use. We hope to expand this message and reach more people, getting more tank owners involved in regular maintenance and promoting our efficient cleaning methods. Long-term success for us means growing a business that is both profitable and environmentally responsible, and creating awareness around the benefits of water conservation and health.
If you were to start again from scratch, what would you do differently?
Looking back, one of the main things I would do differently is focus more on understanding the mindset of potential customersāspecifically, why many people donāt recognise the importance of maintaining clean water tanks. Weāve encountered a lot of customers who arenāt fully aware of the risks posed by neglecting their tanks, such as poor water quality and potential health hazards. If I had spent more time learning about their concerns and misconceptions early on, we could have tailored our messaging and educational efforts more effectively.
Another area I would have put more emphasis on from the start is mastering social media as a marketing tool. In todayās digital world, having a strong online presence is key, and I underestimated the role social media could play in reaching and educating a broader audience. Iāve learned that creating engaging content, from informational posts to customer success stories, is essential for raising awareness and driving business growth.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in a similar field?
My advice to anyone entering this field, or any niche market for that matter, is to invest time in thorough market research. Understand not just who your target audience is, but also their specific pain points, misconceptions, and needs. In our case, educating customers has been a significant part of our sales process because many donāt immediately grasp the value of what weāre offering. So be prepared to invest time and effort into educating your audience about why your service matters.
Secondly, donāt underestimate the power of effective marketing. In todayās world, especially if youāre working in a localised or niche service, social media is a game-changer. Take the time to learn how to use it effectively to promote your services and engage with potential customers. Consistency is keyāwhether youāre sharing useful information, testimonials, or behind-the-scenes content, you need to stay active and connected. Lastly, donāt be afraid to start small and scale gradually. Building a business takes time, and you want to create a solid foundation before trying to expand too quickly.
Where can people find you?
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šļø Now itās your turn to answer a question:
How was this week's interview? |
If youād like to read last weekās newsletter, an interview with Richard, the owner of Happy Grandma Senior Tech Support, a service business dedicated to helping older adults navigate the often confusing world of modern technology. Check it out here.
Thank you all,
See you next week! š