Everything I Learned about Business I Learned from a Porta-Potty
This presentation, “Everything I Learned About Business I Learned from a PortaPotty,” was my Final Project for Misty Megia’s Theatre of Public Speaking at https://mistymegia.com/. I synthesized everything I learned about presenting to people’s learning styles, PPT slide design, pacing, and vocal range into a Keynote Speech topic that I’ve had rattling around in my head for several years now. Enjoy!
Introduction
Let’s face it—most of us have had at least one memorable encounter with a portable toilet. Whether it was at a concert, a sporting event, or a festival, the experience likely left an impression. Now, imagine the worst of those experiences. Was it smelly? Was the seat wet? Maybe it was out of toilet paper or even filled with discarded beer cans. Not exactly pleasant, right?
But what if I told you that even the humble porta potty holds valuable lessons for running a successful business? As someone who’s spent years on festival production teams and even more time as a self-employed business consultant, I’ve discovered that the secrets to finding the cleanest porta potty can be directly applied to managing a thriving business. So, have a seat—because I’m about to share some unexpected insights from my years in the trenches of both festival production and the business world.
Lesson 1: Leverage Your Resources Wisely
Imagine you finally get into that dreaded porta potty, and the first thing that hits you is the smell. But sometimes, you’re lucky enough to find one where someone had the courtesy to put the lid down. This simple act makes all the difference. Here’s why: porta potties are designed so that air flows up and out through a chimney when the lid is down. If the lid is up, that airflow escapes through the box itself, creating a much less pleasant experience.
In business, leveraging your resources correctly can prevent many problems, just like keeping the lid down reduces unpleasant smells. I once worked with a startup struggling with high operational costs. They were constantly purchasing new software without fully utilizing the tools they already had. By streamlining and maximizing the use of their existing programs, we managed to cut costs by 30% while improving productivity. It was like finally putting the seat down and letting the fresh air in. Remember, using your resources as they’re designed is not just a suggestion—it’s a best practice.
Lesson 2: Embrace Being Different
Next time you’re at a festival, take note of the porta potty that’s a little off-kilter, maybe leaning to one side or looking a bit scuffed. Most people will avoid it, thinking it’s unstable. But that’s precisely why it’s likely to be cleaner and less used.
In business, standing out can have the same effect. Being different can attract attention, but it also brings skepticism. Your uniqueness needs to resonate with your customers’ emotional needs. I once consulted for a bakery that specialized in gluten-free, vegan baked goods. At first, people were skeptical, assuming the products would taste like cardboard. However, by offering free samples, they quickly won over customers. The difference that initially caused mistrust turned into a loyal following. In other words, don’t be afraid to embrace your uniqueness—it could be your strongest asset.
Lesson 3: Turn Obstacles into Opportunities
Sometimes, you’ll come across a porta potty that appears occupied because the door is slightly ajar, with the indicator showing red. But if you look closely, the latch isn’t engaged. Most people will skip over it, assuming it’s in use.
This taught me that what appears to be an obstacle can often be an opportunity in disguise. In business, mistakes or limitations can lead to unexpected benefits. For instance, I started using AI tools like ChatGPT to create images for my podcast, The Unofficial QuickBooks Accountants Podcast with Hector Garcia (uqb.show). These AI-generated images were full of typos, which at first seemed like a problem. But we discovered that these “flawed” images garnered more attention and engagement. The typos became a hallmark of our ad campaign, proving that sometimes a flipped lock is just an open door.
Lesson 4: Take Initiative—Don’t Just Follow the Crowd
When faced with a long porta potty line, most people will simply get in line and wait. But I’ve learned to ask the person at the end of the line to hold my spot while I walk up and down the row, checking the doors. More often than not, I find several open porta potties, allowing me to wave in others who were blindly waiting.
This experience underscores the importance of taking initiative and not following the crowd blindly. Always evaluate situations critically and seize overlooked opportunities. As a leader, your initiative can solve pain points for your clients and pave the way for your team.
Lesson 5: Always Be Prepared
There’s nothing worse than finding yourself in a porta potty without toilet paper or hand sanitizer. In business, launching a product or service without proper support is just as disastrous. It leaves your clients frustrated and damages your reputation.
To avoid this, ensure that your products are thoroughly tested, and that support systems are in place before launch. Constantly update your FAQs, fully train your customer support team, and monitor potential issues. Just as you’d ensure a porta potty is fully stocked before an event, ensure your business is prepared to handle any situation.
Lesson 6: Small Details Matter
One of the first festival crews I worked on had the job of tying sprigs of lavender to the vent pipes inside the porta potties. It made them look a little nicer and smell a lot better. Interestingly, people treated these porta potties with more respect, leaving less trash behind and keeping the seats clean.
In the workplace, creating a culture that reflects care and consideration can have a similar effect. Small details really do make a difference. Recognizing individual contributions and appreciating attention to detail fosters an environment where people want to go the extra mile.
Lesson 7: Always Look Back
Before leaving a porta potty, it’s good practice to turn around and make sure everything is in order. You don’t want to leave anything behind or accidentally dip your costume tail into something unpleasant, or drop your phone!
In business, regular check-ins with customers after a purchase or service can help address any issues they encounter, ensuring they feel supported and confident in their decisions. The same is true for internal processes—proper onboarding, training, and follow-up are crucial for long-term success.
Final Thoughts: Turning a Porta Potty Nightmare into a Business Dream
Now, take a moment and think back to that story you shared about your worst porta potty experience. How can you turn that moment into a learning experience for your business? What are your takeaways from this discussion? By applying these unconventional leadership ideals within your own company, you too can run a business that doesn’t stink.
Wrap-Up
If you found this tip useful, there’s plenty more where that came from! I create all kinds of QuickBooks Online training videos and classes, covering everything from basic reports to advanced payroll management. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to master more complex topics, I’ve got you covered.
Check out the Final Project for Misty Megia’s Theatre of Public Speaking at https://mistymegia.com/.
Alicia is available for Keynote Speaking at http://www.royalwise.com/contact.
For QuickBooks training, join Alicia at learn.royalwise.com to explore my full range of courses.
And don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/Royalwise?sub_confirmation=1 by clicking the bell icon so you never miss an update.
Again, I’m Alicia Katz Pollock, and I look forward to helping you become a QuickBooks Pro. See you in class!
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