Starting a business can feel like staring up at a mountain, wondering how you'll ever make it to the top. The idea of making a big investment upfront seems like an obstacle you'll never break through. But what I've learned along the way is that starting with nothing doesn't mean it's the end. In fact, it can be the start of something much bigger than you ever imagined.
Here's how we built a window cleaning, lift, and scaffolding rental business—starting with practically nothing and turning it into something that's thriving today.
From Window Cleaning to Lift Rentals: My Humble Beginnings
When I was just 15 years old, I started my first business—window cleaning. It wasn't much at first. I borrowed $1,200 from my grandfather, which I used to buy what I needed to get started: a squeegee, a bucket, and a ladder. That was it.
I was just one guy with a dream and a lot of determination. I spent the next few years hustling to build the business. We started off doing residential work and eventually shifted to exclusively large commercial window cleaning.
The work wasn't easy, but I learned a lot about customer service, managing seasonality, handling employees who were much older than me, and just figuring things out on the fly. These lessons were key to building the foundation for future businesses.
Building a team and managing people who had more experience than me was definitely a challenge at first. I remember feeling like I had to earn the respect of employees who were twice my age. It was tough at times, but it taught me a lot about leadership, patience, and the importance of clear communication.
By the time I was in my mid-20s, I had turned that small operation into the largest window cleaning company in our city. We had 40 window washers working for us, and the business was thriving. But I knew that selling that business wasn't the end—it was just the beginning of something new.
After selling my window cleaning business, I decided to jump into something a little different: the lift rental business. I knew it was a great opportunity, but once again, we were starting with very little.
The Big Challenge: Getting Into the Lift Rental Business Without the Capital
The problem was, getting into the lift business wasn't cheap. A boom lift could run anywhere from $130,000 to $250,000. At the time, there was no way I could afford that kind of investment. So, we had to get creative.
Instead of buying our own lifts, we started sub-renting them. We partnered with companies in Toronto, renting them long-term for a year at a time, which gave us a much better rate. Then, we turned around and rented them out on daily and weekly terms.
This was the magic formula. In equipment rentals, a weekly rate is typically three or four times your daily rate. And a monthly rate? Well, that's usually 10 to 14 times your daily rate. So, when you get a lot of daily and weekly rentals, that adds up quickly.
The best part? While we were renting out these sub-rented lifts, we were building a foundation for the future. We knew that once we started buying our own lifts, we wouldn't have to worry about utilization. They'd be in constant use because we had already created a demand for them.
It wasn't just about making money—it was about creating a sustainable model that would allow us to scale. And that's exactly what we did. By renting out lifts on a daily and weekly basis, we built up a steady stream of income that would allow us to eventually buy our own equipment.
Seizing the Big Opportunity: The Scaffolding Market
As we got our feet wet in the lift rental business, we started noticing a similar opportunity in the scaffolding industry. Just like with the lifts, there was a growing need for scaffolding in the Ottawa area, especially for large construction projects—everything from covering walkways to big infrastructure jobs like bridge work.
But once again, the cost of getting into the game was a challenge. We had only invested around $10,000 in scaffolding, which wasn't nearly enough to handle the larger jobs that were popping up. We were just getting started, but I knew we had to make it work somehow.
I spent time researching the scaffolding market, understanding what was needed for big jobs, and figuring out how we could fill the gap. It became clear that, just like with the lifts, there was a real opportunity here. But we'd have to be strategic and resourceful.
The Bold Ask: Asking for Help When You Need It
This is where things got interesting. We had the drive, we had the expertise, but we didn't have enough scaffolding to take on the big projects. So, I did what I do best—I asked for help.
Ottawa was in the middle of one of its largest construction projects, and they needed a ton of scaffolding. I saw an opportunity, but I didn't have the equipment to make it happen. So, I reached out to Dennis at ScaffoldFast, one of our competitors, and laid it all out. I told him the truth—we had won the project, but we didn't have enough scaffolding to complete it.
I asked him if he'd be willing to rent us the scaffolding we needed, and if he could give us a 20% discount so we could still make a profit. Was I nervous? Absolutely. But sometimes, you've got to ask for what you need, even if it feels like a big ask. To my surprise, Dennis agreed.
That was a game-changer.
This is where I learned the importance of building relationships—even with competitors. Business isn't always about beating others; sometimes it's about finding ways to work together and create mutual benefits. Dennis helped us take on that first big scaffolding project, and we ended up both winning in the end.
Executing the Project: A Major Milestone
With Dennis's scaffolding and our team's hard work, we managed to complete one of the largest scaffolding projects in Ottawa. We didn't own a single piece of scaffolding, but we made it happen.
That project was huge for us—not just financially, but also as a proof of concept. It was our first big project, and it proved that we could take on large-scale jobs, even with limited resources. The profits from this project gave us the funds to reinvest in our own scaffolding inventory, which laid the foundation for the business we have today.
The Scaffolding Rental Business: Why It Works
What I realized early on in the scaffolding rental business is that scaffolding is a unique asset. Unlike many other types of equipment, scaffolding doesn't depreciate. In fact, it appreciates over time because it's made of durable materials like steel and aluminum.
On top of that, if scaffolding gets damaged or lost, the customer is responsible for paying the full replacement value. This minimizes the risk for us, the business owner. The more scaffolding we had, the more we could rent out, and the more we could grow.
We also learned that there's a big demand for scaffolding in areas where there's a lot of construction. The more jobs we took on, the more we realized that the scaffolding rental market wasn't just profitable—it was sustainable. This wasn't a one-off venture; this was a business we could continue to grow for years to come.
Reinvesting in Growth: From Small Beginnings to Large Projects
After our first big win, we didn't take a step back. We reinvested our profits into buying more scaffolding, growing our inventory, and expanding our reach. We began bidding on larger, more complex projects, including industrial jobs like bridge work, and continued to build our reputation as a reliable, high-quality scaffolding provider.
The business kept growing. It wasn't always easy—there were definitely moments when I doubted whether we could handle everything we were taking on. But as the business expanded, so did our confidence. We were tackling some of the biggest and most complex jobs in the area. And every time we finished one project, it opened the door for the next.
Key Takeaways: What I Learned Along the Way
Start Small
You don't need massive resources to get started. Identify the gaps in the market, and find ways to fill them with whatever you have at your disposal.
Be Bold
Don't be afraid to go after big opportunities, even when you feel underprepared. Sometimes, those big risks lead to the biggest rewards.
Leverage Competitors
In business, your competitors don't always have to be your rivals. In this case, Dennis became an ally who helped us get started. Approach your competitors with a proposal that benefits both of you, and you may find unexpected support.
Reinvest Wisely
Every dollar you make is a chance to reinvest in your future. Build your inventory, grow your capabilities, and take on bigger projects.
Understand Your Assets
Invest in assets that appreciate over time, like scaffolding, which can continue to make money for you long after you buy it.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
Starting something with nothing isn't easy, but as I've learned, it's absolutely possible. From my small window cleaning business to a booming lift rental business, and now to a thriving scaffolding rental company, I've learned that with perseverance, creativity, and smart decision-making, you can take a small opportunity and turn it into something extraordinary.
If you're out there wondering if you should take the leap, I say go for it. There will be tough days, days when you wonder if you can keep going. But with each step, you'll build momentum. Keep moving forward, and who knows? The next chapter of your story could be just around the corner.