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Measuring Success HOW I BUILT A BUSINESS THAT WORKS FOR ME
I’ve always believed hard work is the only way to succeed. When I started my tent rental business, I put all I had into it, and it felt like things were paying off. The business was growing, and I was creating a great life for my young family. But I’ll never forget when things changed for me and I started questioning what I was actually building. One night, after a 15-hour workday, I walked through the door expecting a greeting from my son. Instead, he hesitated, glanced at his mom, and ran to her like he didn’t know me. It hit me like a ton of bricks. That night, I sat down and asked myself a question I’d never considered: Was my business working for me, or was I just working for my business? Finding a Better Way The truth is I’d spent so much time at work that I had no room to think about anything else. My son forced me to think differently. I had to work hard in a different way, so I started to focus on improving our processes so those around me could successfully do much of the work I was doing. One task I was obsessed with was documenting how long most of our task were taking — I wanted to see where our inefficiencies were. It quickly became clear that one area was a significant problem: tent cleaning. Tents don’t stay clean long in this business. No matter how careful you are, they always come back stained and dirty. And it takes a lot of manpower and time to get them clean. If the customer got a dirty tent, we had to spend more time onsite cleaning it again. If a key customer called for a last minute set up, we often had to spend time that we did not have cleaning a dirty tent to fulfill the order. And, if a customer got a dirty tent, they told their friends, and we could no longer rely on word- of-mouth marketing to grow our business. In the long run, when tents aren’t cleaned
properly, you must spent your hard-earned profit on prematurely replacing them.
After another long day of trying to stay ahead of the mess, I had my “aha” moment. If I could find a way to automate tent cleaning, it could change everything for the business. I didn’t know it then, but it would also change everything for me and my family. The Birth of Teeco Solutions Over 25 years ago, no machine on the market did what I needed. So, with my brother’s help, I built my own. Of course, it took a lot of trial and error. We tested and adjusted everything — temperature, wash speed, chemicals, rotation cycles — to build something that cleaned tents efficiently without damaging them. But we finally got it right! The machine’s impact was immediate. A labor- intensive, time-consuming process became automated. That meant no more wasted hours or spending money on new inventory to keep up. Also, our tents looked fantastic, so customers were happy and said great things about the business. Then, something unexpected happened. The owner of another tent rental company found out about the machine and asked, “Can I buy one?” I hadn’t even considered selling the machines. I built it to solve a problem for my own business but soon realized it was a solution for an entire industry. That’s how Teeco Solutions was born. Rethinking Success Teeco Solutions changed everything for me, but looking back, I see it wasn’t just about building a machine. The real shift happened when I stopped doing everything myself and started thinking like a leader. I had thought working harder was the answer, but working smarter made the difference.
APRIL 2025 Teeco Times
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Don’t Let Tent Clean GET THE RIGHT WASHING MA
All Aboard the Alaska Railroad!
If you run a tent rental business, keeping your tents clean is your biggest challenge — and one of the most expensive bottlenecks to your operation. The right tent washing machine can change things overnight, but finding one suited to your needs is crucial. Match the machine to your business. How often are you washing tents? Wash frequency makes a big difference when choosing a machine. High-volume businesses that wash daily need one that handles heavy loads quickly with little downtime between batches. Lower-volume businesses that only wash a few times a week can go without high-speed cycles and should avoid overspending on unneeded features. Focus on features that matter most. It’s crucial to find a tent washer with features that protect your most important investment: your tents. Water temperature control is key — a warm water rinse will extend the life of your tents and reduce fabric damage over time. You also need to weigh wash speed against efficiency. Do not fall into the trap of using cold water for washing or rinsing to save time or money — you will reduce the life of your tops and your tops will not get as clean.
While Alaskan cruises get all the buzz, traveling the Last Frontier by train offers an equally breathtaking — and perhaps more intimate — experience. With panoramic views, unforgettable pit stops, and access to remote regions, the Alaska Railroad delivers a journey unlike any other. Imagine gliding through the rugged wilderness in a GoldStar Dome car, where glass ceilings offer a 360-degree view of snow-capped peaks and glistening glaciers. For the adventurous, the outdoor viewing platform lets you immerse yourself in the stunning scenery while breathing in the clean, crisp Alaskan air. Whether you choose the premium GoldStar class or the more budget-friendly Adventure Class, you’ll be awed by Alaska’s natural beauty. The Alaska Railroad operates year-round with five seasonal routes, each brimming with wonder. The Coastal Classic is any traveler’s dream, winding from Anchorage to Seward along the Turnagain Arm waterway. Highlights include spotting bald eagles and hopping on a boat at Resurrection Bay to explore Kenai Fjords National Park, famous for its orca whale sightings. For those drawn to Denali’s majesty, the Denali Star is your ticket. This flagship route connects Anchorage to Denali National Park, offering stops like Talkeetna, a charming artsy town and basecamp for climbers scaling Denali. It’s a 12-hour journey of awe-inspiring landscapes and rich history. The Glacier Discovery route takes you south from Anchorage to Girdwood, Whittier, and the Spencer Glacier. Whittier is a standout destination with its sleepy charm and world-class Alaskan fish. This train provides remote access to places you can’t reach by car, making the trip a unique experience. And if you’re looking for an offbeat adventure, the Hurricane Turn and Aurora Winter trains cater to locals and intrepid travelers alike, offering stops by request and transporting you into the heart of Alaska’s untamed backcountry. With the Alaska Railroad, the journey is as memorable as the destination. Whether you’re marveling at wildlife, enjoying a sit-down meal, or booking excursions to explore iconic landmarks, every mile of track is packed with adventure. 2 Why Traveling Alaska by Train Beats the Cruise Ship
Everyone likes bells and whistles, but keeping things simple for your crew is often the best approach. Too many settings or complicated controls can lead to more user errors and potential downtime. Focusing on reliability over unnecessary features will reduce operation costs and improve overall efficiency.
Before & After
Our washers don’t cut corners!
TeecoSolutions.com
ning Slow You Down ACHINE FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Running a business is tough. From overseeing employees and processes to finding new avenues for growth, there are constant demands on your time. Late nights, missed family time, and stress take a toll, but there’s a better way. Work-life balance is possible if you shift your mindset and make intentional choices. Step 1: Define what success really means. Business owners often define success by growth and profitability, but achieving balance requires you to define success beyond financials. If you’re chained to your business, it’s time to reassess priorities and consider what kind of life you actually want. What would it take to create more personal time without the business falling apart? Once you establish a vision of success beyond work, you can make business decisions that align with it. Step 2: Shift from operator to leader. Business owners often struggle to find balance because they try to do everything themselves. Shifting from worker to leader as your business grows is essential. The key is learning to master the art of delegation so you can step back and find time for yourself. Delegation also supports better business outcomes. If you’re overworked and involved in every decision and every process, you can become a bottleneck to your own operations. Letting go of control is difficult but necessary. After all, if your business can’t function without you, you don’t own a business — you own a job. Step 3: Make space for personal time. Achieving balance doesn’t mean doing less; it means doing the right things and making your time count. Creating a schedule that allows time for family and personal growth makes you a better leader. Start by scheduling personal time like you do work meetings, and block it into your calendar. Making time for yourself also requires setting boundaries for availability and creating systems that allow your business to run without you. Connecting with other leaders through peer groups and organizations like EO is a great way to learn from those who’ve successfully built balanced businesses. Work-life balance doesn’t just happen — you must create it. You can’t achieve everything overnight, but by leading with purpose and prioritizing what matters, you can build a business that supports your life rather than one that consumes it. FROM TO BALANCE RUNNING A BUSINESS WITHOUT IT RUNNING YOU
Don’t overlook the cost of installation. Many business owners focus on the cost of the machine itself, but installation expenses can add up fast. Major plumbing and electrical upgrades increase the overall cost of ownership and can quickly turn an affordable machine into a significant investment. Fortunately, with proper planning, there are ways to reduce these costs. At Teeco Solutions, we offer accessories to help you maximize your investment while avoiding high installation costs.
Make the right investment. Overbuying or underbuying tent washing machines can lead to more headaches and unnecessary
expenses in the long run. Working with a trusted manufacturer ensures you get a machine suited to your needs and
designed to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and extend the life of your tents.
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Building Teeco didn’t mean stepping away from hard work. What it did mean was learning to focus on the right work. I learned the importance of trusting a team, solving problems at their source, and finding ways to help my business thrive without letting it consume me.
Today, I talk with business owners from all over and find many are like me back then; they’re stuck in the daily grind, just trying to keep
up. But if there’s one thing my journey has taught me, it’s that success isn’t about how hard you work — it’s what you’re working toward. For me, that meant building something that gave me more time with the people who matter most. In the end, that lesson made me not just a better business owner and leader but a better husband and father, too.
–Steve Arendt
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Inside This Issue 1 Hard Work, Big Lessons, Smarter Leadership 2 Pit Stops Along the Alaska Railroad You Can’t Miss The Smart Way to Keep Your Tents Clean Before and After of the Month 3 The Business Owner’s Guide to Work‑Life Balance 4 K9s For Warriors Is Saving Veterans, One Rescue Dog at a Time
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For former U.S. Army Cavalry Scout Ryan Finch, life after his tour of duty was a battlefield of its own. Haunted by PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and the weight of his experiences, Ryan struggled to navigate even the simplest moments of daily life. But then Scout came into his life and became a lifeline, a symbol of hope, and a steadfast partner in his journey toward healing. Scout, a vibrant black Lab, has done more than help Ryan manage his anxiety; he’s transformed his world. Crowds and loud noises, once overwhelming triggers, are now manageable with Scout by his side. Soccer games, family gatherings, and the everyday joys of life that once seemed impossible are now part of Ryan’s new normal. Scout’s presence allows Ryan to enter spaces he never thought he’d enter again, not as a man weighed down by his past, but as a father, a husband, and a human being rediscovering connection. The story of how Scout came into Ryan’s life feels almost destined. Before his deployment, Ryan and his wife had adopted a black Lab, coincidentally named Scout, who died before Ryan went overseas and whose loss Ryan never truly
reconciled as he was away from home. So, when Ryan arrived at K9s For Warriors, and the trainers introduced him to his new service dog — a black Lab named Scout — it was a moment of profound healing and renewal. It was as if life had come full circle, offering Ryan a second chance at hope. K9s For Warriors is a testament to the life- changing power of service animals. Determined to combat the devastating reality that 20 veterans die by suicide every day, this program rescues and trains dogs to become service animals for veterans grappling with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma. The result is transformative. Veterans find independence, confidence, and purpose, while rescue dogs gain a life of devotion and meaning. The impact is undeniable. Graduates of the program report mended family relationships, reduced medication reliance, and renewed joy in life. Ryan’s wife has seen the change firsthand, describing her husband as more engaged, animated, and hopeful for the future. Scout symbolizes resilience and proves that an incredible bond can heal even the deepest wounds.
A Black Lab’s Role in Transforming a Veteran’s Life Scout’s Meaningful Mission
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