Eric McBean always dreamed of owning a silver Porsche 911. However, his life took an unexpected turn when he suffered a severe car accident that left him with a broken hip and pelvis. Hospitalized for months, the accident led McBean to reevaluate his aspirations and career path. At the age of 59, with a small private pension and redundancy money in hand, McBean embarked on a new venture by starting his own business, Squosh. Today, Squosh has been shortlisted for a British business award twice, marking a remarkable achievement in McBean's entrepreneurial journey.
McBean founded Squosh, a mobile compacting service, in 2020 following his redundancy due to a company restructure. The idea of starting a business didn't come out of the blue. His former workplace, managed by his landlord and boss ForHousing, had a persistent issue with overflowing bins. McBean saw an opportunity for improvement.
“Everywhere in the building was nice – apart from the bins,” he recalled.
Determined to find a solution, he launched Squosh, which offers a unique service by compressing bin contents to create more space. His first client was the Pennine Care NHS trust, and since then, his business has continued to grow.
“We squash what’s in the bins and create more space,” McBean explained.
Before venturing into entrepreneurship, McBean had extensive experience in the employment sector. He worked in agencies dedicated to placing individuals in jobs and even set up one specifically for people from the Midlands. His background also includes obtaining an HGV license as a backup career option. Despite these achievements, it was the car accident that ultimately redirected his professional path.
The accident not only influenced McBean's career but also led to significant lifestyle changes. After recovering from his injuries, he was unable to continue driving his beloved Porsche due to its low-slung design. Reluctantly, he sold the car that once symbolized his dreams.
McBean's upbringing played a crucial role in shaping his resilient character. His father worked as a miner while his mother served as a healthcare assistant. These humble beginnings instilled in him the value of hard work and determination.
“You can have anything you want – if you work for it,” McBean stated confidently.
Under McBean's leadership, Squosh has become synonymous with efficiency and cleanliness. The company's unique compacting service has garnered attention and praise, leading to its recognition at prestigious business awards twice. The success of Squosh underscores McBean's ability to transform challenges into opportunities.