Moapa Teens Start New Power Washing business

By NICK YAMASHITA

The Progress

Two Moapa Valley teens have begun a small start-up business, with some help from their parents, that has opened to significant success within the Moapa Valley communities.

Local friends Jayme Carvajal and Ammon Udall opened their business, called Bin Mates, in June and it has really caught on. The business offers power-washing and full cleaning of the large blue garbage cans and recycle bins in the community.

“We wanted to do something!” said Carvajal. “We were bored and fed up with being at home during the pandemic.”
“It has given us something to do,” agreed Udall.

Both of the boys are high school seniors. They say they have experienced a positive change in their lives by jumping into this enterprise. “I think our attitudes have changed,” said Carvajal. “We both seem more positive. And it’s nice having the money.”

With help from Carvajal’s mother, Heather Flynn; and Udall’s father, Ryan Udall; the two boys formed a new LLC and got licensed to operate. Everything was finalized including insurance, paperwork, and more. The boys continue to get guidance, consulting and help from their parents.

“They kind of oversee things for now,” said Ammon Udall. “However, once we turn 18 we will take it over.”

To get some practice and work on their skills, the boys did some training by cleaning trash bins for 2 weeks for free for some close friends.

What started as just a small venture to get out of the house has turned into a business that power-washes over 500 trash bins. The business has also added two more friends as employees in the business. Brock Eastman and Payson Udall have joined in the venture.

“This was something I could tell I wanted to be a part of,” said Payson. “I know I probably won’t do it all my life. But right now it has been a blessing in helping me with finances. I even moved back from Utah to be a part of it.”

The four-man team currently is equipped with two power-washers. “We are also planning on adding two more machines in the very near future,” said Eastman.

The business charges a flat rate of $18 per trash bin or $30 to clean both trash and recycle bins. This rate includes all house trash bins cleaned for free.

Besides upping their power-washer and equipment numbers, they also plan on adding more employees. And not just regular employees, but more teens to help them get out of the house and be productive in life.

“This has helped me so much in learning skills and things that I will need in real life,” said Carvajal. “We want to help other teens learn those life lessons.”

Their other goals are to build a regular schedule together so that they have more jobs and better consistency. They are also looking at progressing into adding power-washing services of more horse trailers, horse panels, barns, mats, houses, mobile homes, RVs, concrete, sheds, fences, siding, doors, roofs, gutters, sidewalks, driveways, patios, and more. In addition, the boys plan on expanding their services up to Mesquite.

“We want to build this up, especially to help keep youth busy and involved and help our customers with a service that is not as accessible out here,” said Ammon Udall.

The name, Bin Mates, was thought up by Heather Flynn, because the teens had “been mates” and friends since pre-school.

Both supervising parents have been training and teaching the teenagers about the business and all aspects of it. They have also seen a positive change in the boys.

“I have seen better attitudes, more maturity, and just better characteristics within all of them,” said Flynn. “This business venture has been a huge blessing and they are doing a very good job.”

Bin Mates has had nothing but positive reviews. More information is available by calling (702) 467-1481 or 702-491-3955, or emailing heather.flynn@binmates.org.