Eleven-year-old Ashton Meyer needed to make some money. More importantly, he needed to conquer his fear of rejection.
11-year-old Ashton Meyer posing proudly next to a trash bin for his new business.
In May, the Ontario resident launched YourBinCleaning in his York Region neighborhood. The concept was simple: wash dirty garbage bins for cash.
The business plan came from his father, Jonathan Meyer. He originally suggested that his son help the older residents on their street by hauling their trash bins from the garage to the curb.
Ashton Meyer wearing protective gloves, ready to clean residential garbage bins.
Facing Rejection Head-On
Jonathan saw the chore as a prime opportunity. He wanted Ashton to step out of his comfort zone, build confidence, and learn the value of his time.
But starting out wasn’t easy. Ashton admitted he was incredibly nervous to approach strangers and worried he wouldn’t be good at the job.
The young entrepreneur cried the first time a potential client told him “no.” Today, he brushes off rejection with a seasoned business mindset.
“When I go door to door, I’m like, ‘I make money off this, these may be my new customers forever and ever,’” Ashton told CP24.
Going Viral and Expanding
The hard work quickly paid off. Ashton now serves a dedicated customer base of 30 to 40 people.
His weekly schedule requires discipline. He spends two days pitching his services while his dad drives him through the neighborhood, and another two days doing the heavy lifting.
Once on the clock, Ashton scrubs two to three bins every hour.
A young entrepreneur working on a local neighborhood business endeavor.
With his mother managing the social media side, YourBinCleaning soon exploded online. The business’s Instagram account gained over 100,000 followers after posting its first video on May 26.
The family’s viral success even landed them a segment on Fox Business.
“We did not expect it to blow up the way it did,” Jonathan said. “Ashton’s been honored by what happened and people are also paying it forward.”
Giving Back and Looking Ahead
Online supporters began donating directly to the business. Ashton uses these funds to provide complimentary bin cleaning for seniors and residents with disabilities.
Various items related to neighborhood ventures and local chores.
Fans have also started demanding branded merchandise. Jonathan joked that he now has to pack T-shirts while driving his son to jobs.
Ashton is already plotting a seasonal expansion for his company. He plans to rake leaves in the fall and is saving up for a power broom to clear snowy driveways this winter.
“Then in the spring I can do garden cleaning and lawn mowing,” Ashton said.
For Jonathan, the financial gains are secondary to the critical life skills his son is building every week.
“I know it’s going to set him up for future success, especially dealing with people in his personal life and professional life,” Jonathan said. “Generating that good work ethic early will lead to a lot of success.”
