Meet Tom McClain | Owner, Golden Coast Restrooms

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tom McClain and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tom, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my careeer in finance in Los Angeles after graduating and initially really loved it. I worked with smart people, saw a lot of different types of businesses and industries, and was constantly being challenged. I was able to meet a lot of business owners in my role and kept coming to the conclusion that while generally very bright and motivated individuals, they weren’t exceptionally smart or uniquely qualified. They were simply willing to take risks and give up financial security in exchange for potentially greater rewards down the line. The gap between myself and them wasn’t as big as I had imagined. As I progressed in my career, I started to reach a point of burnout as was common in my field. The hours were rough, the intensity was high, and I couldn’t help but feel I was trading my soul for the money. I decided that life was too short to be unhappy and I wanted to take a risk by starting my own business.

I initially set out to buy a business. Entrepreneurship through acquisition has become a more common way to own a business and reduce the risk of failure. I looked at hundreds of different businesses over the course of six months and made offers on a few. I ended up finding a restroom trailer rental business and became intrigued by the economics and concept as a whole. I mean everybody uses the bathroom, AI isn’t replacing it anytime soon, and I know alot of people getting married soon due to being in my 20s. I negotiated back and forth with the owner and right when I thought I had a deal….he sells it to someone else. It was brutally frustrating to research the industry for months, complete a bunch of diligence, and meet the seller several times only for it to get snatched away at the last second. After a period of reflection, I realized that I was perfectly capable of building the business from the ground up, so that’s what I did!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Golden Coast Restrooms was founded with a relentless focus on customer service, quality restrooms, and cleanliness. Restroom trailer rentals is a competitive business and we have to offer the best service every single day in order to succeed. We do have the most premium restrooms for luxury events in Southern California, but the way we communicate with customers quickly and professionally is our real differentiator.

Starting the company wasn’t easy. I had to learn about permits, trucks, insurance, web-building, advertising, and sales. I basically learned everything about the sanitation industry from scratch with no prior experience. The financial investment was significant and giving up a lucrative career was scary. It wasn’t until about 6 months into the business when I started getting regular bookings and even got my first referral that I realized the business could really succeed. Even now, it can be tough to stay optimistic when it is a slow week or something bad happens. On the flip side, it is an indescribable feeling to get a big sale or a big referral. The highs and the lows are certainly greater than anything I experienced as an employee. Cleaning bathrooms has been humbling in some ways, but the feeling of putting in an honest days work and reaping all the fruits of your labor is amazing.

I think my biggest lesson and what I want the world to know is that anybody can run their own business. Is it easy? No. Is it scary? Very much so. But we are country of dreamers who want a better life. Nothing has the power to create wealth and a better life than starting a business. I certainly had a lot of advantages in my life that helped me get to where I am, but I have met so many amazing business owners who came from nothing and built generational wealth for themselves and their families. People want you to succeed and you would be surprised the number of individuals who will go out of their way to help you along in the journey.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in San Diego and I would absolutely recommend Sunset Cliffs and La Jolla shores. Not exactly secret spots but the nature here is incredible and a must-visit. As a surfer, these spots can provide some great waves as well!

For food, definitely hit up Wise Ox in North Park. Best burger I’ve ever had.

For fun, Padres games are unbeatable. The stadium is gorgeous and it is impossible to have a bad time.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to thank my Dad for constantly encouraging me, providing advice, and helping me balance the highs and lows of starting a business. I have always admired his own entrepreneurial successes (and the failures) and he ultimately inspired me to go down this path. He has reminded me that cleaning bathrooms is something to take pride in and success can be had in any industry with the right mix of passion, hard work, and perserverance. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.

Website: https://goldencoastrestrooms.com/

Instagram: @goldencoastrestrooms

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goldencoastrestrooms

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/golden-coast-restrooms-san-diego-2?osq=Golden+Coast+Restrooms

Other: https://share.google/Nd50GSWqbBMLSWs5H