The 6-Figure Side Gig for Tidying Up Parking Lots - Side Hustle Nation

      Side Hustle Nation is committed to enhancing your personal profitability. To achieve this, we frequently collaborate with companies that align with this goal. When you register or make a purchase through one of our partner links, we may earn compensation at no additional cost to you. Learn more. This week’s guest began his side hustle aiming for an extra $1,000 each month, and four summers later, it has transformed into a six-figure business!

      Blademir Hernandez, a listener of the Side Hustle Show, was motivated to start his venture by Brian Winch’s story in episode 266. Brian turned his litter collection business into a $650,000-a-year operation, which inspired Blademir, who believed he could replicate this success.

      Blademir contacted Brian to discuss his idea and subsequently sought out property managers in his area to propose his litter-picking service. This narrative exemplifies how drawing inspiration from a successful business model and implementing your own strategy can yield results.

      Listen to The Side Hustle Show interview to discover how:

      - he acquired his initial customers

      - to price and market a local parking lot cleaning service

      - Blademir has expanded his business

      Indeed – Begin hiring NOW with a $75 sponsored job credit to enhance your job post!

      Quo (formerly OpenPhone) — Sign up for a free trial!

      Shopify — Register for a $1 per month trial!

      Gusto — Receive 3 months free from a leading payroll, benefits, and HR provider tailored for modern small businesses!

      The Inspiration for Cleaning Parking Lots

      “I was browsing your website and found 99 ideas for making extra money, which included the trash-picking service,” Blademir shared with me. Intrigued, he clicked through and read episode 266 featuring Brian Winch. In that episode, Brian recounted how he grew his litter picking business into a $650,000 venture and mentioned that anyone could start and earn $30-$50/hour in their spare time.

      Blademir felt confident about this venture and reached out to Brian, inquiring whether a similar cleaning business would be viable in his area. Brian reassured him that it could work “anywhere there are parking lots.” This was the encouragement Blademir needed, and with parking lots available in his vicinity, he decided to launch his business. (Brian also offers a guidebook for those looking to get started.)

      Launching a Parking Lot Cleaning Business and Securing First Customers

      Blademir established his business as a sole proprietor, set up a business checking account, and began searching for lots to clean. He drove around his neighborhood, approaching apartment residents and businesses in commercial areas and plazas.

      Blademir asked residents for the contact information of the lot managers. When he got the chance to speak with a manager, he would introduce himself, saying: “Hi, my name is Blademir, I’m a local vendor and my company specializes in cleaning up litter from parking lots. Would you be interested in such services?”

      His first client was a plaza near his home, where he called the manager and arranged an in-person meeting. The manager oversaw eight other locations, and Blademir secured his first paying job. Prior to his arrival, the tenants had been cleaning the lot themselves, so they were pleased to see Blademir take over.

      Pricing a Parking Lot Clean-Up Service

      To determine pricing for his first job, Blademir walked the property and estimated, “How long will it take to sweep this parking lot?” After surveying the area and simulating the sweeping process, he projected that it would take him 15-20 minutes to complete. He then multiplied this by the number of days the manager wanted the lot swept to form a monthly rate.

      “I initially aimed for $35/hour, which would total about $450-500/month,” Blademir explained. He pondered if it was worth his effort but, as it was his first customer and he wanted the experience, he decided to take it on. He submitted a proposal to the manager and received a signed agreement shortly thereafter.

      Startup Costs

      Blademir’s startup expenses included:

      - Legal fees – Blademir utilized LegalZoom to register as a sole proprietor.

      - Tools – He bought a blower, push broom, rake, and a Litter Licker scooper.

      Logistics and Cleaning the Lots

      Blademir needed to clean lots during times when no vehicles were present, which meant working late at night or early in the morning. This flexibility made it an excellent side hustle, allowing him to work around his day job.

      For cleaning, Blademir primarily used a blower to gather trash and debris into one location. He then utilized a rake and his Litter Licker scooper to collect the waste and dispose of it in on-site dumpsters. He also frequently undertook additional tasks for extra charges, such as removing illegally dumped items and trash in the absence of a dumpster.

      Scaling Up and Hiring Help