Spotlight: Scorpion Surface Cleaning
Scorpion Surface Cleaning specializes in graffiti removal and mural restoration, offering a variety of techniques to remove graffiti effectively. While many companies may simply remove graffiti and move on, Scorpion takes a more holistic approach to solve the problem and focuses on lasting solutions. Scorpion Surface Cleaning’s owner, Vince West, joined the Office of Small Business for a conversation about the successes and challenges of business ownership.
What's your favorite part about owning a small business?
Vince: I like the different challenges that come up every day. I didn’t expect to make $1,000,000 overnight, but I’ve been learning step by step—whether it’s hiring, insurance, permitting, or the little things. I faced many kinds of challenges as the business grew. Once I got bigger contracts, there were even more challenges. I needed to learn about workers’ compensation, commercial liability insurance, permitting, etc. The challenge is great and I enjoy it.
What role does your community play in your business?
Vince: The community lets me know what’s needed. I have friends who live in different parts of the city and work at various nonprofits, and a lot of times I’ll get a text like, “Hey, I was out walking the dog and saw some graffiti. You might want to get ahold of this business.”
Secondly, once businesses find out what I do, they reach out and we start a conversation. That conversation can be about a one-time removal or building a longer-term solution such as lighting, security, or fencing.
Nonprofits have been super helpful. They're always willing to sit down and brainstorm and come up with ideas on how to grow your business, how to market the business or what opportunities exist.
What do you think has been your biggest success today with your business?
Vince: I would say finding customers that are open to longer-term solutions. I have found companies who present their brand and their building in a specific way. They are large enough that they have the money to spend on graffiti removal, but they are not so big, like a Legacy or Providence, where they have their own maintenance staff.
What would you say has been the biggest challenge for your business?
Vince: I would say two things. The city has a great free removal program, but I think there are some misconceptions about the program. The program is free, but you must qualify for it. It's fairly restrictive based on company revenue and number of employees. They work on private properties, and they have to get permission from the owners.
Getting permission is the first challenge. Between the tenant, the building owner, and there might be a third-party maintenance company, it can be hard to get an approval. A lot of building owners are not around or non-responsive.
The second challenge is awareness. I think there's this misconception that if I have graffiti on a surface and you remove it, then the graffiti taggers will come back immediately. That can be true depending on where it is, but there are other things you can do, such as fencing or lighting, to solve the problem. We've done some creative things to limit access.
What would be your best advice for someone who wants to start their own small business?
Vince: First, really think about what you want to do. I meet a lot of people who have a great idea but they don't think it through very well. Figure out who your target customers are going to be. For example, if you are going into painting, how are you differentiating yourself from all these other painting companies? Is there something specific you can do better? And then I’d say: don’t quit your full-time job right away!
Try to find people in similar industries even if it's not the exact same thing, but something adjacent. Companies are less likely to talk to you if they feel you’re competing with them. But if you can connect with people in related fields, they may be more open. I work with a lot of painting companies as mentors because I don't compete with them. Most of them are okay with having a mentoring conversation.
I’d also encourage people to start looking at RFPs (Requests for Proposals), even if you don't apply right away. Read through them and get a sense of the information available. Talk to people about them. Look at the winning bids and ask yourself: Is this something I could do? Could I even be competitive?
Finally, go to industry events. Meet people, spend time with them, have conversations, and learn where they have bids. It can feel daunting because sometimes the bids are huge—like $5,000,000 to paint a building—and you might not be ready for that. But don’t be intimidated.
