12-year-old Winnipegger creating booming business with garbage bins

Will Thys and Jennifer Thys share how a Winnipeg-area teen turned dirty garbage bins into a successful summer business.

A Manitoba youth is flexing his entrepreneurial spirit and achieving financial goals with the creation of his own business.

It all started when 12-year-old Will Thys was looking to buy himself a dirt bike. Since Will was too young to get a job, he came up with a plan to start a business that meets a need in his community.

Now Will is making money of his own by pressure washing garbage and recycling bins with his endeavour called “Goodbye Grime.”

“I saw a sign when we were in Edmonton of someone doing this and then I thought it was a really good idea so then I decided to do it too,” Will said in an interview with Your Morning Winnipeg on Friday.

The business model involves Will, accompanied by a family member, picking up the bins and bringing them to his home, where he washes them. He then returns the receptacles that same evening.

He noted the bins can be “pretty disgusting” and that customers are thankful for his work.

“(I’m told) a lot of thank yous and that it was a smart idea,” he said.

Will’s mom Jennifer Thys said her son’s business is impressive, adding that community members have been very supportive.

“People are asking him to come to all different parts of the city and he’s having to actually put a limit on how much he does because it’s really wonderful,” she said.

In the end, Will was able to get a dirt bike.

“I like buying it with my own money,” Will said. “It’s just super exciting.”

Will is running his business through the summer and potentially into the fall. Currently, he services East St. Paul, West St. Paul, Narol, Gonor, North Kildonan and East Kildonan.

Customers can contact him at [e-mail].

With files from CTV’s Rachel Lagacé