And Sand Runners has turned out to be a dream career for best friends Ryan Barca and Spencer LaBarbera.
It honestly has been like the best job I could ever even conceive of, Barca says.
People genuinely appreciate what were doing, Barca says.
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
The partners make extra cash from tips.
We both dropped out of college to do this, LaBarbera says.
We both used our life savings.
It took all of that.At one point I had four jobs; he had three jobs.
They intend to dominate all those beaches and beyond.
And then thats where wed probably want to start branching out to California, up the coast.
All of that takes patience and persistence, but the pair says they have plenty of both.
We want to bring this to the far reaches of the world, Barca adds.
And were young, so we got plenty of time.
Unable to check into the room early, Barca lugged all the gear to the beach.
As a result, he was sweaty and miserable the rest of the day.
We need to jump on this, Barca recalls thinking at the time.
Sand Runners opened for business on March 24, 2017, and was on the beach through Labor Day.
This year they started March 1 and expect to operate past Labor Day.
At that point, Barca or LaBarbera rolls his wagon over to the open trunk and offers the service.
They had speakers, Barca says, then nods toward LaBarbera.
You called me and you were like, Yeah, I need backup.
We each did a double trip.
We get a lot of people who are coming up to use the bathroom, Barca says.
Sand Runners also gets referrals from other beach-based services.
Im surprised nobody else had thought about it… but Im glad someone did.
Its all part of presenting themselves as professionals, Barca says.
youre not going to trust him, Barca says.
Personality is also a big part of it.
One of their first clients, Melissa Stewart of Winter Haven, Florida, agrees.
But it was more than nice clothes that convinced her she could trust them with her familys beach day.
Theyre very respectful Yes maam, no maam… And that goes a long way.
Theyre well worth the money, if not more.
I wont go to the beach without them, Stewart says.
Its something I could see catching on at every beach.
You have to really dedicate the time you cant expect immediate results, Barca says.
Tiffany Wendeln Connors is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder.
She had to spend two days at the beach to get this story.
Its a tough life.
It sounds appealing right?
Check it out here!