Entrepreneur: Christine Sweeney, founder of atlanta watercloset, which offers boutique portable restrooms for outdoor events in the metro Atlanta area.
"Aha" moment: Sweeney left a position in corporate sales in 2006. She was intrigued by a company in Massachusetts trying to franchise "nicer" portable restrooms but wasn't thrilled with the marketing or business plan. She decided to refine it, and in April 2010, Sweeney "got into potties."
What possessed her: After having her son, Sweeney wanted something that would afford her the flexibility to be a mom, but also put her back in the working world and have control of her own "destiny, hours and scheduling."
Why: "It's a great niche in the Atlanta market, because we have such a long season with tons of outdoor events. There really wasn't anything nice in between a traditional porta-potty and a restroom or executive trailer," says Sweeney, who went with a sophisticated look for her logo, branding and website.
Customers: Sweeney has mostly serviced outdoor weddings and corporate events, but she also works fundraisers, festivals and parties. And people are impressed. "Almost any wedding we've done, people are always going up to the bride or mother of the bride and commenting on the bathroom," she says. "You spend so much time planning your wedding--and then people come up to you and comment on the bathroom."
The porcelain thrones: There are two: the sleek and the spacious. Both come with flush bowls, fresh-water hand wash, motion-activated interior lighting, mirror, coat hook and Mrs. Meyer's scented soap. The spacious can fit a baby-changing station. Sweeney wants to create as excellent a bathroom experience as possible, offering optional add-ons like on-site attendants, high-end hand lotion and mints, lattice fencing to "hide" the restrooms, tenting in case of rain and solar-powered pathway lights to guide guests.
Pricing: Starts at $205 per unit, plus a delivery charge that varies by location.
Code Brown: The morning of Sweeney's first job, a wedding, she got a call from the truck driver that her potties had "flown across the road"--into four lanes. The restrooms were safely rescued and delivered to the event on time, but Sweeney decided to outsource operations and focus on sales and marketing.
What's next: Sweeney recently partnered with national franchisor Royal Restrooms, a Savannah, Ga., maker of restroom trailers. She's co-marketing with the company and concentrating on growing her business in Atlanta.
This article was originally published in the April 2011 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: Let's Get This Potty Started.
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Comments:
Unique idea, way to go!
Eliza your the best!! keep up the great work with ElizaJ!!
Thanks John! I actually talked with Christine at length (after a franchise show in Miami) she decided to go on her own at the time (appears she has linked up with Royal Restrooms)... The interesting part is she stated she did not care for "my" business and marketing plan???? I ask that people go to my site and they make up there mind from there... I would be interested in the comments.... Best/LIZA
I just love it. There is tons of opportunities in the event and experiential marketing world for this. You rock Christine!
Sounds and looks like the same thing Eliza J has been doing for years along with other portable restroom companies. Check out there web site alantawatercloset.com and you'll see that there is nothing new or different being offered.
I take it back. The bottom gallery of photos is much better
Look at the website, it's not that impressive
Did you read the story? There's a great deal more than flowers that she is providing.
Very interesting opportunity ! I like that kind of person who wants to challenge the common thought !
I love it! It's about time someone offered a better alternative in this market. Good for you, Christine! Lisa www.StartYourOwnSmallBiz.com
Good stuff! I love when I hear of stories of people thinking outside the box
sounds like a great fit...my wife and I had an outdoor wedding and these would have been well worth the price over the traditional ones we rented.
What's so different? It's a portaloo with flowers in! I don't know what you Americans think is higher end but over here in the U.K you'd need a bit more than flowers to impress us!
oh excellent creativity....well hygienic....wow...
I've gained so much from Christine's interview. She saw a need and provide the solution to theneed thus turning it to a business. Thanks for sharing. Sam http://www.entrepreneurshipsecret.com
This kind of toilet is really interesting for weddings and outdoor events. But what about the smells? How they clean it during an event?