By Kathy Onorato
One might wonder what there is to like about the portable toilet business, but the Thayers, of Wiscasset, say it’ is enjoyable, profitable, and has allowed them to meet some really nice people along the way.
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Colton Thayer (sitting) along with his siblings, standing from left, Chelsey and Willie Thayer, operate Ideal Portable Toilets, which is now located in Wiscasset. (Photo courtesy Cheryl Thayer) |
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A special touch can be added to Ideal Portable Toilets for weddings or other parties. (Photo courtesy Ideal Portable Toilets) |
In March, Cheryl and Bill Thayer, of Wiscasset, recognizing Maine can be a tough place to find a job, wanted to give their three children – Willy, Colton, and Chelsey Thayer – an opportunity to be successful. The couple decided to purchase the portable toilet division of Bristol-based Ideal Septic Service Inc.
Willy Thayer, 25, learned Ideal Septic Service Inc. was selling the portable toilet part of the company while he was making plumbing part deliveries for Redlon and Johnson.
“They kept telling me I should buy it,” Willy Thayer said.
Ideal Portable Toilets, now located in Wiscasset, has approximately 172 of the green, standard portable toilet units, which are delivered throughout Lincoln County to job sites, community events, private parties, and blueberry fields. The units are pumped and cleaned thoroughly every week, said Colton Thayer.
“Good and clean is our routine,” said Colton Thayer.
The Thayers say the units are chemically cleaned and aired each week. Cheryl Thayer said her family’s business spends a considerable amount of money on cleaning chemicals because making sure the units are clean and fresh is the most important part of the business.
If a flushable unit is preferred, the Thayers can accommodate that request as well. Ideal even offers themed units, which are decorated with lattice work and flowers and can be customized for weddings or other special events.
Available for bigger, perhaps more sophisticated events, is a full-size portable unit that features separate men’s and ladies rooms. Each room is equipped with two stalls and two vanities, complete with electricity.
The company is truly a family affair. Willy and his brother Colton, 23, take the road for deliveries and pumping, while Cheryl and the youngest Thayer, Chelsey, 17, take care of the office work, including the bookkeeping, filing, and answering the phone.
Chelsey, not sure office work is her thing, will sometimes tag along with her brothers on the road. “I like working on the pump truck,” she said.
Fridays and Mondays are the company’s busiest days, and that’s when dad steps in to help. Bill Thayer, who has worked for Wiscasset’s highway department for over 30 years, has been using his vacation time on Fridays and Mondays to help on the busier days.
Family-run businesses are the best, Willy said.
“You get up in the morning and want to go to work,” Willy said. “We are loving every minute of it.”
Cheryl said the business is doing very well, better than they expected for the first six months of the new business venture.
The Thayers believe in giving back to the community, and have offered their services to church groups and civic organizations.
Ideal Portable Toilets also sponsors racecar driver Nick Hinkley, of Wiscasset, who races #15 in the Prostock division at the Wiscasset Speedway.
The Thayers have high praise for Ideal Septic Service Inc., which sold them the 17-year-old portable toilet business and allowed the Thayers to keep Ideal in the name.
The company was already well-established and respected, Cheryl said. “It was a turn-key business,” she said. “We have big shoes to fill.”
Ideal Septic Service Inc. owner Allan MacPhee and employees Joe and Andrew Corson and Dave Embury have guided the Thayers throughout the learning process and have been there to answer their questions along the way.
“We couldn’t do it without them,” said Cheryl.
Joe Corson, the office manager of Ideal Septic Services, was very pleased a family like the Thayers bought the business. Ideal Septic Services knew instantly they were the right fit for the business.
“We are thrilled they are doing so well,” Joe Corson said.
Ideal Septic Services in Bristol continues to offer septic cleaning, pumping, jetting, and camera services.
For more information about Ideal Portable Toilets, call 687-8111 or visit Ideal Portable Toilets on Facebook.
