Local youth turns grit into small business with bin-cleaning service
In a neighbourhood example of grassroots entrepreneurship, a Yellowknife youth has turned a simple idea into a functioning local business that already serves dozens of homes. The venture, called Bin Bros, was created by Bobby Balsillie, who will soon be 12, and offers pressure-wash cleaning of household compost and garbage bins.
The business launched publicly after Bobby’s father, Kenny Balsillie, shared a social media post advertising the service on Aug. 2. Within days Bobby was scheduling clients — his parents say demand grew quickly and he had 16 clients shortly after the post.
“Well, the day I shared the post, everything took off after that,” Kenny Balsillie said.
Low-cost service, hands-on learning
Bobby charges $20 per bin and uses a pressure washer to remove the grime and smells that build up inside residential garbage and compost bins. He said he was inspired after seeing a similar business on social media and decided he could do the same work locally.
He is running the operation with the support of his parents. His mother, Rebecca Balsillie, described how the family learned there is a surprising amount of logistics to manage as the business grows, including scheduling, email communications and tracking payments.
“There’s just a lot of logistics that we kind of figured out as this is progressing,” Rebecca said. “I think it’ll teach [him] a little bit more about logistics and planning because there’s so much things where like, ‘oh, my goodness we gotta [go] get this.’”
Kenny added that the business idea was all Bobby’s: the name, the branding and the execution. Bobby even created the company logo using AI tools.
Goals and community impact
Bobby says his immediate financial goal is practical: he wants to save for an electric dirt bike he’s picked out, which will cost him $2,866. The work, he said, is not deterred by the mess and smell of bins — the results and the earnings are worth it.
The Bin Bros model is straightforward and reflects several local realities: a small city where word-of-mouth and neighbourhood social media spreads quickly, the willingness of families to support youth entrepreneurship, and a community need for services that make daily life cleaner and more convenient.
- Owner: Bobby Balsillie, nearly 12 years old
- Service: Compost and garbage bin cleaning, pressure-washed
- Price: $20 per bin
- Early demand: 16 clients within days of advertising
Practical lessons beyond the price
Beyond the immediate cash goal, the enterprise is offering practical lessons in work ethic, customer service and the administrative side of running a business. Bobby’s parents emphasised the volume of small but important tasks that come with managing bookings and money.
Those skills have long-term value in a northern community where resourcefulness and self-reliance are prized. For a young entrepreneur, real-world experience handling customers, schedules and finances can complement school learning and community involvement.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Charge per bin | $20 |
| Early clients | 16 |
| Financial goal | $2,866 (electric dirt bike) |
The modest venture also underscores how simple service businesses can meet everyday needs in Yellowknife. Bin cleaning mitigates odours and pests, and can reduce unpleasant household chores. For neighbours and customers, supporting a local youth-run service is a way to keep dollars circulating within the community while encouraging young people to take initiative.
As Bin Bros continues scheduling work, Bobby and his parents will likely refine their logistics, invoicing and customer communications — practical administrative skills that Rebecca said they’re already navigating. For now, the focus remains hands-on: cleaning, learning and saving toward a tangible goal.
In a city where community ties and small-scale enterprise are part of everyday life, Bobby’s venture is a reminder that entrepreneurship can start young and close to home.
