Easton native turns 50-cent investment into $2 million
EASTON NEWS
by Debbie Smith
C. Kendall “Killer” Bolster, 64, a native of Easton, arrived in Clearwater, Fla., in April 1993 on borrowed money and looking for a new beginning.
Keith had spent his entire career working in Connecticut — first as an industrial chemical and hazardous waste disposal salesman and then started and owned FMI Chemical in Manchester, Conn. In the late 1980s, Keith sold his business and invested all of his profit in the real estate business only to lose it all in the real estate crash in the late 1980s.
He went back to work in industrial chemical and hazardous waste sales for three years and when he was laid off in 1993, he packed his bags and headed for sunny Florida. Keith took a job as a salesman selling energy-efficient lighting on commission. Keith knew nothing about lighting but his salesmanship paid off and his first account was a chain of carpet stores.
Soon after taking the job, a new Florida law came across his desk that mandated all businesses in the state to recycle burned-out fluorescent lamps due to the mercury content in them. Sensing an opportunity, Keith mentioned this new law to his soon-to-be partner Bill Norman and they concluded that forming a business to collect and recycle burned-out fluorescent lamps was a no-brainer. The only problem was that they only had 50 cents between them and that was the truth.
Bill Norman had owned and operated a lighting supply business and he had gone broke in the late 1980s. EnviroLight and Disposal Inc. was formed in April of 1994 with no money. They convinced a lawyer to process the paperwork to incorporate the business on credit. They opened up an office in Keith’s bedroom and a warehouse at U Store and Lock. They convinced a truck leasing company to lease them a truck with no money down and they hired an answering service. Also they convinced a container company to give them credit for fiber board storage containers for the spent lamps and they were off and running in a short period of time.
Sales came quickly and it wasn’t long before they hired an office manager and moved the computer and the office manager from the bedroom to his living room. A few months later they rented a small warehouse with an office and hired a full-time truck driver.
At the end of the first year in business they began to take a salary. Keith remembered his first salary to be $150. Two years later they moved to a larger warehouse and added a second truck and driver. They were now able to afford company cars and purchase other necessary equipment to aid them in their business.
In 2001 they moved to their current location in St. Petersburg which is an 11,000-square-foot warehouse with seven employees. They are permitted to store 100,000 burned-out light bulbs as well as batteries and electronics. They believe they are the largest permitted storage facility for universal waste in the country.
Many of their skills came from learning at Husson. Many came from growing up in a family business and learning how to work hard on a potato farm in Easton and to manage your accounts receivable and accounts payable aggressively.
Keith is now 69 and Bill 60. Neither work too hard any more as they have the right people in place to run their business. Neither plan to retire as money is too good. However, the company is now being pursued by a larger company for purchase. The appraisal value of the business is $2,500,000. Not bad for a 50-cent investment.
Keith lives in Palm Harbor, Fla. His family includes a son, Erik, Erik’s wife Liz and two grandsons, Drew and Fischer, who live in Eagle, Colo. Keith is the son of Kendall and Olive Bolster of Easton. He graduated from Easton High School in 1960 and Husson University in 1964.
Birthdays/anniversaries
On Nov. 23, Brian Holmes, Carolee Flewelling and Josh Horton will all turn another year older. On Nov. 24, Terry and Paula White have an anniversary to celebrate. Michael BelleIsle, Derek Carlow, Denise Clark, Jared Flewelling, Arthur Kretschmer amd Grady Manning Day have a birthday on Nov. 25. On Nov. 26, Blake Bradley, Brook Napoli, Chris Hall and Amos Yoder all have a birthday. It will be a birthday celebration day on Nov. 27 for Barb Blackstone, Bruce Alexander, Ian McLean and Khary Hasley. Also on the 27th of November, Jackie and Roger Condon will be celebrating their anniversary. On Nov. 28. Roxanne Hafford, Sara Carter, Christy Darr, Earlene Lawrence and Savanna Clark will all turn another year older. Patience Clark, Caleb Bomar, Marjorie Corey and Tabitha Dudley all have a birthday on Nov. 29.
Blessings to you all on your special day.
Surprise party
Photo courtesy of Debbie Smith
The Budreau gang at Bud’s birthday party. Pictured in the front row from left: Sally and Bud Budreau. Middle row are: Tim Rackliffe, Avis Rackliffe, Kaden Arnett, Linda Brown, Carl Curtis, Stacey Smith, Vance Smith and Cookie Curtis. In the back row are: Steve Budreau, Calvin Arnett, Peggy Arnett, Debbie Smith, Craig Smith and Troy Finnemore.
A surprise birthday party was held for Bud Budreau at the Odd Fellow’s Hall in Easton on Oct. 23 by his children Debbie, Steve and Peggy. He was totally surprised as he thought he was going to a party for his niece. Bud celebrated his 80th birthday. Many friends and relatives attended. Those in attendance were: Debbie Vance, Craig and Stacey Smith, Peggy, Calvin, Kerrigan and Kaden Arnett, Steve and Stephanie Budreau, Bernard Hussey, Lisa and Brittany Tompkins, Ezalee Smith, Troy and Kim Finnemore and daughter, Bailey, Stan and Delores Jordan — all of Easton — and of course the birthday boy, Bud and Sally. Out-of-town guests included Sherri and Maureen Jordan, John and Sheila Eivers, Mike, Karen and Alex Jordan, Bob, Glenda and Sabrina Arnett, Richard Jordan and guest, Renee — all from Presque Isle — Cora and Carl Curtis from Fort Fairfield and their son and daughter-in-law, Cookie and Rick Kenney from Mapleton, Rob and Linda Brown, Jeff and Julie Rackliffe, Avis and Toni Rackliffe — all from Connecticut. Fun was had by all reminiscing about Bud’s life.
Students of the Month
Two Easton students were recently recognized as Students of the Month.
Kaitlyn Hurley
is in second grade. She is kind, hard-working and polite. She is a new student this year and is proving to be a wonderful new friend to her classmates.
Dawson Day
is in fifth grade. He is a kind young man who gives his best effort in his schoolwork. He is a good friend and is always willing to help out whenever there is a need.
Both students will be treated to a lunch at Subway with Mrs. Malenfant. Thank you to John at Subway for donating the student meal.
Sympathy
Our sympathy goes out to the family of Michael Adams who passed away. He will be greatly missed in the community. Michael and his family farmed for many years in Easton. He was also the fire chief in Easton for many years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Debbie Smith is the correspondent for Easton. She can be reached by e-mail at debbie-smith04_69@hotmail.com or call 488-5530.
