The UpFlip Podcast 189. How to Start a Business in a Small Town (and Dominate Your Market)
Jun 2, 2025
Heath Andre, founder of Lake Champlain Sanitation, transformed a single garbage route into a thriving $600,000 business through grit and strategy. He shares how prioritizing customer retention and leveraging local word-of-mouth became game changers. Heath provides actionable insights on effective marketing, like using giveaways to boost engagement, and stresses the importance of discipline in entrepreneurship. His journey emphasizes that success is built on a foundation of resilience, efficiency, and community connection.
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Humble Business Beginnings
- Heath Andre started his business with a $9,000 personal loan and no prior experience, buying a garbage route from a farmer he met at his night job.
- He transformed this modest start into a $600,000 company with minimal employees by focusing on efficiency and grit.
Local Marketing & Customer Density
- Use local marketing like yard signs and Google business profiles to attract customers in a service business like waste hauling.
- Avoid high-interest loans and scattered customers; service density is crucial for success.
Leverage Giveaways for Growth
- Use giveaways, like free dumpster rentals, timed before busy seasons to gain massive social media exposure.
- Follow up giveaways by converting engaged participants into paying customers.