 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Serving the American Liquid Waste Industry Since 2002
A Year in the Life
| Meet Gena Boggero (Part Five) |
| By: Carol Brzozowski |
This is the fifth installment in a year-long series titled
“Year in the Life,” featuring an in-depth look at a
portable sanitation operation.
This month, Sanitation Journal interviews the vendors
and suppliers who provide Gena Boggero, owner of
Boggero’s Services in Greenwood, Carolina, with
what she needs to service her own customers.
“Year in the Life,” featuring an in-depth look at a
portable sanitation operation.
This month, Sanitation Journal interviews the vendors
and suppliers who provide Gena Boggero, owner of
Boggero’s Services in Greenwood, Carolina, with
what she needs to service her own customers.
Just as clients of portable sanitation operators often shop around to get the best value for their money, so, too, do
portable sanitation operators with vendors. Everyone wants to get the best value for their dollar and in some cases
is willing to pay more if service is an added value.
“Nowadays, you don’t look for the cheapest price,” says Gena Boggero. “Especially with toilet paper, the cheapest
price not going to be the best for the customer and that’s what it’s all about: what’s best for the customer and us.
“Having said that, we want to make sure the material and supplies we get are the best and make sure we’re not
spending a fortune on it. We’ve done a lot of investigation and experimentation. Everything we’re using now is
exactly what we want, which is the best at a fair, good price and is delivered when they say it’s going to be
delivered.”
One of the longest-running relationships Boggero’s Services has had with a vendor is with Tuff-Jon, the company
from which the portable sanitation operation has purchased its units in 1992 ever since Gena’s father Barry owned
the company. At the time, she was a teen-ager.
Tuff-Jon owners Pat and Bob Schenk had stopped by Boggero’s Services to drop off a unit to try and the
relationship has been ongoing ever since.
Rosie Sitzman is the salesperson with whom Boggero works. Sitzman calls it a “joy” to work with Boggero.
“She’s so friendly and funny,” she says. “We probably spend too much time on the phone together, but she’s just
real joyful. She’s got one of those voices that sounds like she is excited, which in term makes me excited and so
we really get along.”
Sitzman extends her compliments to other family members as well.
As for that quality that makes Boggero a successful businesswoman, Sitzman says it’s that she’s a good motivator.
“I don’t work for her, but I have an idea that she would be a good person to work for,” she says.
“They are some of the most awesome people to do business with,” Boggero notes. “They really worked with my
dad a few times when things were tight. They understood and it’s small things like that that go beyond the call of a
normal business agreement. They’ve got heart.”
When her company is thriving, Boggero remembers the way Tuff-Jon has treated her family and reciprocates by
remaining loyal to the company.
“Even if the toilets were twice the price of other units, I would still purchase from them because of the amazing
program they have. They’re good people and they understand and that makes all the difference in the world.”
The relationship between Boggero’s Services and Tuff-Jon is most likely successful from a shared understanding
of operating a small business, notes Pat Schenk, adding that most of her company’s relationships with portable
sanitation operators have been longstanding.
And because Boggero’s Services has entered its second generation, that says a lot for Gena Boggero’s ability to
sustain her father’s success, Schenk points out.
“We spend a lot of time on the phone with her, so we don’t get the opportunity to actually see how she does run
her business, but for her still being in business and thriving, it basically says that she has to be providing a good
service for her customers because there are people coming into this business all of the time,” says Schenk. “And
there are more women in the industry than people realize.”
Dave Roatch, president of Western Carolina Products, says his company has serviced Boggero’s Services for a
few years, providing paper and soap products, as well as hand protection (gloves).
“She’s a real dynamic individual with high energy, a live wire,” he says. “She is very dedicated to her business,
particularly with the family legacy as relative to this business, which she wants to continue in future.”
Roatch sees Boggero as a true customer service provider looking to take care of her clients.
“She is very loyal to local distributors when it makes sense and there is value-added service,” he says. “It’s
important to her to do business with the local community.”
The business qualities Boggero possesses that others would do well emulating include her tenacity, her ability to
follow through and produce results based on a business plan that’s mapped out for a year, says Roatch.
As for his company’s role in their relationship, Roatch sees the responsibility of Western Carolina Products to
provide Boggero Services with products in a timely manner, with a high fill rate and with value-added services such
as free delivery.
“Price does enter into the equation, but the most important components a company like ours provides is the high fill
rate, timely deliveries, and meeting the needs for products she needs to be successful in her business,” he adds.
Another company with which Boggero’s Services does business is J & J Chemicals. Joshua Carmichael is the
Southeast account manager for the company, from which Boggero’s purchases liquid deodorizers.
Carmichael, who is new to his position, was taken aback when he met Boggero and her family when making his
first sales call to them.
“I literally pulled up into the driveway and Barry (Gena’s father and company founder) and his wife were walking
out and said, ‘Come on with us; we’re going to see our granddaughter’. We walk in and Gena’s there at the desk
and she has the crib with Lilly next to her. Barry and his wife are enamored with Lilly. It’s a cool experience. They
are very family-oriented.”
Like others, Carmichael finds Gena to be quite personable.
“She made me feel extremely comfortable and at home like I’d known her for years and I just met her,” notes
Carmichael. “She has an amazing personality, a really big heart and she’s very, very easy to talk to and work with.
She’s a very good person.”
Being service-oriented is Boggero’s biggest strength, says Carmichael.
“When I met her for the first time, it’s like you’re the most important person she’s talked to, like you’re the only
person in the room. I think she does that with all of her customers,” he says.
Nonetheless, Boggero is “very driven,” he adds.
“For her to purchase the company from her dad, she’s a very driven woman and wants to make sure the job is
done right,” Carmichael says. “It’s a good blend, being able to deal with people at that level, but also give them a
good service and a great product at the same time.”
In their vendor/operator partnership, J & J Chemicals gives Boggero Services service based on the same values,
Carmichael notes.
“We want to provide our customers with the best service we can to make sure they can get their job done,” he
says. “We have people available 24/7 and if there’s an issue we are able to take care of it immediately.
“That’s a big thing with her is they’ve tried to control their growth in the past and they want to make sure they can
take care of individual customers and give them that excellent customer service. That’s what we strive to do here
at J & J.”
Another company with which Boggero’s Services does business is Hauler Agent, a buying group for portable
sanitation companies. Through the company, Boggero and other portable sanitation operators are able to lock into a
purchasing price for such items as toilet paper through Unisource.
Brad Lucas, the company’s executive director, finds Boggero a pleasant person with whom to work.
“She’s always friendly; even if you are having a tough day and you hear from Gena, it puts a smile on your face
because she just has a really positive attitude,” says Lucas. “It’s obviously a lot more fun to work with people who
have positive attitudes.”
One of Gena’s business strengths is her savvy approach to get the most out of programs such as Hauler Agent,
Lucas notes.
“She can move on to other things that are probably more important than placing a toilet paper order or shopping
around every couple of weeks,” he says. “She manages the business well and from that standpoint, she doesn’t get
bogged down.”
In the portable sanitation industry, as with others, the vendor/business relationship is important; even so much more
so in a competitive environment. Portable sanitation operators expect the same type of service from their vendors
as they give their own clients.
“We make sure we get her a supply of products that is consistent all the time,” says Lucas. “In our industry, there’
s been a lot of cheating on various different products, so we guarantee the consistency on shipment after shipment.
Secondly, we lock in that pricing until the end of year, so once she negotiates that program, she doesn’t have to
revisit it.
“Third, we provide a local supply and local turnaround. Lastly, she and I deal with each other directly so she doesn’
t have to go through a customer service person. Hopefully, she feels like she’s talking to somebody who can get
something done if she needed something right away to purchase.”
Part 1 in a "Year in the Life"
Part 2 in a "Year in the Life"
Part 3 in a "Year in the Life"
Part 4 in a "Year in the Life"
portable sanitation operators with vendors. Everyone wants to get the best value for their dollar and in some cases
is willing to pay more if service is an added value.
“Nowadays, you don’t look for the cheapest price,” says Gena Boggero. “Especially with toilet paper, the cheapest
price not going to be the best for the customer and that’s what it’s all about: what’s best for the customer and us.
“Having said that, we want to make sure the material and supplies we get are the best and make sure we’re not
spending a fortune on it. We’ve done a lot of investigation and experimentation. Everything we’re using now is
exactly what we want, which is the best at a fair, good price and is delivered when they say it’s going to be
delivered.”
One of the longest-running relationships Boggero’s Services has had with a vendor is with Tuff-Jon, the company
from which the portable sanitation operation has purchased its units in 1992 ever since Gena’s father Barry owned
the company. At the time, she was a teen-ager.
Tuff-Jon owners Pat and Bob Schenk had stopped by Boggero’s Services to drop off a unit to try and the
relationship has been ongoing ever since.
Rosie Sitzman is the salesperson with whom Boggero works. Sitzman calls it a “joy” to work with Boggero.
“She’s so friendly and funny,” she says. “We probably spend too much time on the phone together, but she’s just
real joyful. She’s got one of those voices that sounds like she is excited, which in term makes me excited and so
we really get along.”
Sitzman extends her compliments to other family members as well.
As for that quality that makes Boggero a successful businesswoman, Sitzman says it’s that she’s a good motivator.
“I don’t work for her, but I have an idea that she would be a good person to work for,” she says.
“They are some of the most awesome people to do business with,” Boggero notes. “They really worked with my
dad a few times when things were tight. They understood and it’s small things like that that go beyond the call of a
normal business agreement. They’ve got heart.”
When her company is thriving, Boggero remembers the way Tuff-Jon has treated her family and reciprocates by
remaining loyal to the company.
“Even if the toilets were twice the price of other units, I would still purchase from them because of the amazing
program they have. They’re good people and they understand and that makes all the difference in the world.”
The relationship between Boggero’s Services and Tuff-Jon is most likely successful from a shared understanding
of operating a small business, notes Pat Schenk, adding that most of her company’s relationships with portable
sanitation operators have been longstanding.
And because Boggero’s Services has entered its second generation, that says a lot for Gena Boggero’s ability to
sustain her father’s success, Schenk points out.
“We spend a lot of time on the phone with her, so we don’t get the opportunity to actually see how she does run
her business, but for her still being in business and thriving, it basically says that she has to be providing a good
service for her customers because there are people coming into this business all of the time,” says Schenk. “And
there are more women in the industry than people realize.”
Dave Roatch, president of Western Carolina Products, says his company has serviced Boggero’s Services for a
few years, providing paper and soap products, as well as hand protection (gloves).
“She’s a real dynamic individual with high energy, a live wire,” he says. “She is very dedicated to her business,
particularly with the family legacy as relative to this business, which she wants to continue in future.”
Roatch sees Boggero as a true customer service provider looking to take care of her clients.
“She is very loyal to local distributors when it makes sense and there is value-added service,” he says. “It’s
important to her to do business with the local community.”
The business qualities Boggero possesses that others would do well emulating include her tenacity, her ability to
follow through and produce results based on a business plan that’s mapped out for a year, says Roatch.
As for his company’s role in their relationship, Roatch sees the responsibility of Western Carolina Products to
provide Boggero Services with products in a timely manner, with a high fill rate and with value-added services such
as free delivery.
“Price does enter into the equation, but the most important components a company like ours provides is the high fill
rate, timely deliveries, and meeting the needs for products she needs to be successful in her business,” he adds.
Another company with which Boggero’s Services does business is J & J Chemicals. Joshua Carmichael is the
Southeast account manager for the company, from which Boggero’s purchases liquid deodorizers.
Carmichael, who is new to his position, was taken aback when he met Boggero and her family when making his
first sales call to them.
“I literally pulled up into the driveway and Barry (Gena’s father and company founder) and his wife were walking
out and said, ‘Come on with us; we’re going to see our granddaughter’. We walk in and Gena’s there at the desk
and she has the crib with Lilly next to her. Barry and his wife are enamored with Lilly. It’s a cool experience. They
are very family-oriented.”
Like others, Carmichael finds Gena to be quite personable.
“She made me feel extremely comfortable and at home like I’d known her for years and I just met her,” notes
Carmichael. “She has an amazing personality, a really big heart and she’s very, very easy to talk to and work with.
She’s a very good person.”
Being service-oriented is Boggero’s biggest strength, says Carmichael.
“When I met her for the first time, it’s like you’re the most important person she’s talked to, like you’re the only
person in the room. I think she does that with all of her customers,” he says.
Nonetheless, Boggero is “very driven,” he adds.
“For her to purchase the company from her dad, she’s a very driven woman and wants to make sure the job is
done right,” Carmichael says. “It’s a good blend, being able to deal with people at that level, but also give them a
good service and a great product at the same time.”
In their vendor/operator partnership, J & J Chemicals gives Boggero Services service based on the same values,
Carmichael notes.
“We want to provide our customers with the best service we can to make sure they can get their job done,” he
says. “We have people available 24/7 and if there’s an issue we are able to take care of it immediately.
“That’s a big thing with her is they’ve tried to control their growth in the past and they want to make sure they can
take care of individual customers and give them that excellent customer service. That’s what we strive to do here
at J & J.”
Another company with which Boggero’s Services does business is Hauler Agent, a buying group for portable
sanitation companies. Through the company, Boggero and other portable sanitation operators are able to lock into a
purchasing price for such items as toilet paper through Unisource.
Brad Lucas, the company’s executive director, finds Boggero a pleasant person with whom to work.
“She’s always friendly; even if you are having a tough day and you hear from Gena, it puts a smile on your face
because she just has a really positive attitude,” says Lucas. “It’s obviously a lot more fun to work with people who
have positive attitudes.”
One of Gena’s business strengths is her savvy approach to get the most out of programs such as Hauler Agent,
Lucas notes.
“She can move on to other things that are probably more important than placing a toilet paper order or shopping
around every couple of weeks,” he says. “She manages the business well and from that standpoint, she doesn’t get
bogged down.”
In the portable sanitation industry, as with others, the vendor/business relationship is important; even so much more
so in a competitive environment. Portable sanitation operators expect the same type of service from their vendors
as they give their own clients.
“We make sure we get her a supply of products that is consistent all the time,” says Lucas. “In our industry, there’
s been a lot of cheating on various different products, so we guarantee the consistency on shipment after shipment.
Secondly, we lock in that pricing until the end of year, so once she negotiates that program, she doesn’t have to
revisit it.
“Third, we provide a local supply and local turnaround. Lastly, she and I deal with each other directly so she doesn’
t have to go through a customer service person. Hopefully, she feels like she’s talking to somebody who can get
something done if she needed something right away to purchase.”
Part 1 in a "Year in the Life"
Part 2 in a "Year in the Life"
Part 3 in a "Year in the Life"
Part 4 in a "Year in the Life"
