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Bin Cleaning Boom
Ashton Meyer, an 11-year-old in Ontario’s York Region, began going door-to-door in May to offer a trash bin cleaning service, and his business has since “blow[n] up” beyond what his father expected.
““We did not expect it to blow up the way it did,” the boy’s father said”
Jonathan Meyer said the plan was meant to help Ashton build confidence and learn the value of his work, adding, “Plus, it’s a good way to just start putting yourself out there and trying toget some moneyand learn the value of your time,”.
Ashton told People that he was initially nervous about getting started and worried he might not be good at the job, but he said, “Then I’m like, ‘Oh, I should do it.’ It’s a good way to make money because … I did not have money,”.
People reported Ashton now has a customer base of approximately 30 to 40 people, spending two days each week visiting homes and pitching his service while his father drives him around the neighborhood.
With his mother managing his social media accounts, Ashton’s Instagram account, YourBinCleaning, has amassed more than 100,000 followers since the family began posting videos on May 26.
Rejection and Pricing
Fortune described how Ashton Meyer began knocking on doors in East Gwillimbury, Canada, once school broke up for summer in May, offering to clear out residents’ trash cans for $10 while documenting each knock on Instagram and TikTok.
Ashton told Fortune, “Take it, and if you need me you can call me,” and he added, “I’ll be here all summer.”
The Times of India reported that Ashton cried after his first customer rejection, but weeks later his $10 trash-bin cleaning business had up to 40 clients and 100,000 followers.
Fortune said Ashton advised kids looking to copy him to lower their prices and get comfortable with rejection, and he told Fortune, “The first no is the hardest. Keep going,”.
Ashton also said, “Offer a good price when you are a kid because you are still learning,” as he encouraged other children to find a need “that no one is filling” and ask neighbors for help.
Next Services and Earnings
People reported that Ashton spends another two days cleaning the bins, completing two to three bins per hour, and it said his family’s attention has created demand for branded merchandise.
“Ashton said he now has a customer base of approximately 30 to 40 people”
Jonathan Meyer told People, “People are asking to buy merch from Ashton, so apparently now I have to start packing up T-shirts while I’m driving around,”.
Fortune said Ashton has “made a grand total of $700 (about $500 USD) and counting,” and it described his plan to keep washing bins after school and on Saturdays.
Ashton told Fortune that he wants to use changing seasons to expand his services, saying, “I also want to do leaf raking and snowplowing during the colder months.”
The Times of India added that Ashton plans to run his business when school starts again in September and told Fortune, “I will definitely keep up washing bins as the weather allows,” while also saying, “My plan is to work after school and Saturdays.”
