Editor's Note: Second life. It can represent a chance to do over. To reset and refocus your life. To shake off the past and give yourself an opportunity to change and grow. In our series, Second Life, we took a look at how those in the small business world, out of necessity or desire, reach beyond their comfort zones to re-create themselves and their world. These stories celebrate those who saw potential in being something else or creating something that wasn’t and were brave enough to take the plunge into the deep, dark waters of entrepreneurship.
It was time for change.
After 16 years working in an office, Debbie MacPherson wanted to do something different.
“I think you just get at that point in your life where you need a change,” she said.
That ‘change’ became fulfilling a goal of starting a small business, a dream she held since she studied management at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish.
“That was my intention, in the beginning, but – of course – life happens and things change,” MacPherson said with a laugh.
“My kids got to the age where they are a little more independent, so I thought maybe it’s time to make a change.”
MacPherson got the idea for what would become Irish Clean – a mobile pressure washing business – from her sister in Halifax.
“She said there were people in the city going door-to-door, washing homes and things like that,” she recalled.
“I said that’s something that I would enjoy. I was looking for something outside – I am an outdoor person – and I thought there was a market for something like that here in Antigonish.”
MacPherson explored the start-up costs, which she described as “quite minimal.”
“Everything I need is in that little trailer,” she said, with a laugh, while gesturing towards the sleek black unit hitched to her truck.
MacPherson noted her overhead is also minimal.
“I thought I would give it a try and it took me six months, I guess, to get everything organized and up and running,” she explained.
MacPherson launched Irish Clean in June 2016.
“I used the federal government SEB (Self-Employment Benefit) program to get started, so that was a big help. It is a great program for anyone starting out – I would highly recommend it.” “You not only have the financial support, but also the courses and stuff provided for you. Anyone that is intimidated by bookkeeping or anything that – it covers every aspect of it.”
MacPherson pressure washes everything from siding and decks to a variety of equipment for companies.
“I have a few fleet customers, where I do their vehicles for them, once a week on Sunday, when their units are down – things like that – so a little bit of everything,” she explained.
MacPherson noted, at this time of year, she starts to get a common question.
“People keep asking when I am shutting down for the winter – I am not,” she said, noting her first year in business was a year-round endeavour.
“I have fleet customers that I do all winter. Of course, at that time of the year, I don’t do siding and decks, but there are other areas that I can still do.”
As for the business name, MacPherson dug into her roots.
“I am formally from Guysborough and an O’Leary – I guess you don’t get much more Irish than that – so I wanted to incorporate that,” she said.
As for someone who is thinking about making that ‘change’ and starting a small business, while admitting there are challenges, MacPherson agreed they are outweighed by the rewards.
“Go for it,” she said.
