Ever wondered about the story behind Gutter-Vac? We recently sat down with Warren, the founder, owner and managing director of Gutter-Vac to answer your questions. Have a read!
When did you start Gutter-Vac, and why?
The business was started in 1995, the motivation was from an increasing demand for gutter cleaning which at the time was by hand. The danger of cuts, and spiders and snakes, was a deciding factor that lead to the development of vacuum equipment.
When and why did you decide to franchise?
At the time, we thought this will be easy; just sell a dozen franchises, collect the royalty and play golf. What could go wrong. That is why we did it!
If you had to do it all again, what would you do differently?
Yes, I would ask the one million questions.
What have been the company’s biggest achievements/successes to date so far?
To be stubbornly persistent and develop a business model in an industry that did not exist before Gutter-Vac, and to make a business model everyone said wouldn’t work, work. From there, we developed a business of safety systems and equipment that also did not exist before Ballantyne Safety, and so provide workers with equipment that will save their lives and eliminate wheel chair incidents. It has been a very exciting ride.
What differentiates Gutter-Vac from the competition?
In our immediate circle of gutter cleaning competitors, our difference is systems, discipline, procedures, thorough training, and system, systems, and systems.
In your opinion, what makes a successful Gutter-Vac franchisee?
Usually a home team that buy the business with their hearts not their head.
