Frits de Palm has turned social media upside down ever since he started posting his videos showing how he cleans dirty bins around Aruba.
Combining cleanliness with humor, this has become a promising new business for Frits. The young entrepreneur explored various business ideas while still studying at EPI, but it was in 2023 that a new light shone on him when he saw an opportunity in offering a unique service: cleaning bins for homes around Aruba.
“During my last years at EPI, I started a mobile car wash where I would go to people's homes with my van and all the equipment to wash their cars. This concept played a big role in shaping my current bin cleaning business. As this service didn't exist in Aruba yet, I saw a market gap that I could fill with great potential. When I first presented this idea, my dad didn’t like it at all. He told me to look for something else to dedicate myself to and that he didn’t believe in the concept. After a few days of better explaining and showing him examples of others doing it, he understood the potential and fully agreed with me.
My dad's support is very important to me.” Frits attributes the service mindset he learned during his years at EPI as an important factor in his current business. His philosophy revolves around: How can I enter a business while also serving people? The service aspect brings a lot of satisfaction, which is very pleasant if you can find it in your work.
“Many people don’t realize the importance of keeping the bin clean because it’s always outside and out of sight. The truth is that a dirty bin can attract many problems like insects such as flies, cat/dog urine, bacteria, bad smells, spider nests, cockroaches, ants, etc. Bins that are regularly maintained eliminate all these risks, improving the hygiene and health of the house.
“The slogan 'LIMPI LIMPI ' comes from the popular Aruban saying when something is very clean. So, I decided to use it because it’s already a commonly used phrase and even included it in my official logo.
“I get up every day at 8 am. I look at my schedule and by 9 am I'm already on the street. Normally by 2 to 5 pm, I’m done cleaning bins for the day. In the evening, I review my agenda and send out the invoices for the day. Sometimes when I have many bins in one day, I can leave at 9 am and not get home until 7 pm in the evening.
As a young person in the cleaning sector, how do you see the importance of this service in everyday life and for the benefit of our environment?
“I really can’t stress enough the importance of cleanliness and maintenance. Especially for our international image as a tourist island, this should be a priority for every Aruban. Not just a personal priority but also part of our culture. Keeping our streets, houses, and public pathways clean. It's not only important for our image but more importantly for our own health and peace of mind. Everyone is happy when they live in a clean and hygienic environment.”
“Nobody likes to dirty their hands or do dirty work. That’s fully understandable, that’s why I also saw the potential in this business. If there’s something that needs to be done but nobody wants to do it because it’s dirty, then you need to look for a professional to do it for you. That way it gets done well. I’ve learned that everyone is willing to hire a professional to do something they themselves cannot or want to do.”
You make funny videos about your business. How did this idea come about and how do you think this changes people's perspective on the cleaning industry?
“The funny videos are part of my strategy to promote the business. When people watch a video that makes them laugh (in any industry), they will remember you for a long time. That’s how I create a more personal relationship with my audience and clients. After many funny videos, people see me more as a neighbor or trustworthy friend they’ve known for a long time.”
What are some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned from Limpi Limpi, both professionally and personally?
“There are many lessons I’ve already learned in a short time. My 'people knowledge' has really been shaken up quite a bit working in Limpi Limpi. I work with people of all classes, circumstances, and backgrounds. An important lesson I’ve learned is that not all clients are the same, each one is individual and must be served based on their taste. I found myself once when a client forgot to open the gate for me and I found myself jumping the fence to enter, but the client told me never to do that again, whereas it happened with another client and they didn’t worry when I jumped the fence. That made me realize that I can’t treat everyone the same just like that because everyone has different preferences on how to be served.”
“I follow many people online and around the world who have started a business, made videos, grown their clientele, built relationships, and now have become big in their field, all on their own. I think I can do the same with the Aruban market. There is an abundance of content and new technology online that motivates me as well as helps me think ‘out of the box’. Many of my inspirations and ideas come from watching others who are doing innovative things to grow their business.”
The funniest or most unexpected reaction?
“There was a time when I was washing bins around the roundabout of Cumana and someone driving by in a car shouted FRITS OF LIMPI LIMPI and he startled me because I wasn’t expecting someone to shout my name.
Where do you see Limpi Limpi in 5 years? Do you have any big plans you want to share?
“I want to become the #1 company people choose for their bin washing in Aruba. When people see their dirty bins, they immediately think of my company. I want Limpi Limpi to be synonymous with bin cleanliness for every Aruban. In 5 years, I have a team with several pickups operating not only in bin cleaning but also in pressure washing and glass cleaning for all my clients.”
How many clients do you currently have, and how have you managed to grow this number over time?
“Right now I have 50 clients. Most came from my online advertisements and another part came from going house to house and knocking on doors. I used to do a lot of door knocking and handing out flyers in the beginning, but when I noticed that videos bring clients much faster and more effectively, I decided to dedicate more to this.”
Are there any types of work you are not willing to do within the cleaning industry?
“The cleaning industry is very broad and my thinking is more to diversify and not limit my services along the way. My opinion is that a company should be dynamic and flexible to adapt to every opportunity that presents itself. I believe I would be willing to do all types of work that my company can execute well.
- I wear fully covered clothing against the sun, gloves, rubber boots, and my glasses that protect my eyes when the dirty water splashes around.
- Honestly, when I'm done with bin cleaning I go straight to my bathroom at home, I don’t dare to enter any public place where someone can turn to me and say I smell like a bin.
- There was a time when I had to jump over a fence (after I called the owner and explained I had to jump to enter) and a man saw me and started scolding me and calling me all kinds of bad words. The man wasn’t well in his head at the moment and kept throwing words at me.
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