From Corporate Career to Portable Toilets: Entrepreneur Finds Success and Satisfaction as His Own Boss

Chad Howard, a former marketing executive at Procter & Gamble, decided to leave his corporate job to start a portable toilet rental business, Halftime Rentals, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Despite the unconventional shift and occasional unpleasant aspects of his new role, Howard finds immense personal and professional satisfaction in being his own boss and making a tangible impact on people’s lives. Howard's entrepreneurial journey began when his business partner, Austin Helms, encouraged him to explore business opportunities outside the corporate world. Helms, who had already transitioned from a corporate position to run a plumbing, HVAC, and electrical company, suggested that the portable toilet industry, despite its lack of formal marketing, was ripe for disruption. Intrigued, Howard spent six months researching and raising over a million dollars from various sources, including 12 South Capital Partners, a private equity firm specializing in blue-collar industries. Launched last year, Halftime Rentals has already generated over $1.2 million in revenue. One of the keys to Halftime Rentals' rapid success is Howard's marketing approach. Unlike traditional players in the industry, he invests in dedicated salespeople and creative marketing strategies. For instance, he attends conventions like the local builders convention, where he distributes shirts emblazoned with “Gettin' Shit Done,” a memorable and effective pitch. Additionally, he leverages AI tools like ChatGPT to identify and contact potential clients for major events such as the Charlotte marathon, where he secured a contract by being the first to reach out. Howard's new role as a small business owner isn't without challenges. On weekends, he handles direct emergency calls and has had to manage unexpected situations, such as delivering portable toilets to an event an hour away when the original provider failed to show up. This commitment often means sacrificing personal time, as Howard now avoids planning anything significant on Saturdays until after 2:00 p.m., given the high likelihood of receiving urgent requests. The lack of a structured daily routine has also affected Howard’s health. Initially, he found himself eating poorly and gaining weight, but he has since become more mindful of his diet and fitness. Living in an RV during the month-long response to a hurricane in Asheville underscored the physical demands of the job. Despite the tough conditions, his proactive approach led to a surge of new business and 222 voicemails in a single day. This experience solidified his belief that his effort directly impacts the business’s success. The entrepreneurial lifestyle offers Howard a unique sense of control over his destiny. In his previous corporate role, promotions were often influenced by factors beyond his control, such as personal relationships and market conditions. Now, his performance and decision-making have a clear, measurable effect on the business. For instance, his quick response during the hurricane not only helped the community but also expanded Halftime Rentals’ reach. However, Howard faces significant decisions regarding the future of his business. He has received multiple offers to sell Halftime Rentals, raising questions about his ultimate goals. Selling to a roll-up business could mean regaining a corporate structure and potentially losing control over key aspects of the company, including the fate of his employees. Despite the financial吸引力, Howard is hesitant to surrender the autonomy and the personal connection he has built with his team. Industry insiders and company profiles highlight the growing trend of young entrepreneurs embracing small business ownership, particularly through targeted private equity search funds. These funds help aspiring business owners find and finance opportunities in underdeveloped markets. Howard's story illustrates the balance between the freedoms and responsibilities of entrepreneurship, offering a candid glimpse into the realities of building and managing a successful small business. Halftime Rentals is just one example of how innovative marketing and a willingness to tackle unglamorous tasks can lead to substantial growth and fulfillment in the entrepreneurial world. Chad Howard's journey shows that the path to success can be just as rewarding as the final destination, provided you're ready to work hard and embrace the unique challenges and opportunities that come with it.