Today we’d like to introduce you to Lynn and Dan Shaughnessy.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Shaughnessy Rentals was a long time aspiration and finally came to life in a small converted woodstove showroom in the winter of 2010. In what most would have considered an unfeasible location and during the typically slowest time of year for rental, we opened our doors with our current manager, Chris Fey as our only employee, and never looked back.
Our rapid growth was a surprise to even us and sooner than anticipated we found ourselves bursting at the seams. We were lacking both interior and exterior space and also wanted to position ourselves in a more visible location. However, finding the right piece of real estate turned out to be no easy feat. Although there were a handful of commercial properties available in town, none were able to accommodate the outside space required to operate an efficient shop and showroom. We were fortunate to be around the corner from a bustling commercial park and were able to secure the purchase of the last available piece of real estate on the main strip. We broke ground on the new location in November, 2013. After contending with a few winter weather related setbacks and delays, we finally took occupancy in July, 2014. Our new location led to our receiving the ARA (American Rental Associations) President’s Image Award in 2015.
This past summer (August, 2016) we purchased an existing rental store in Abington, MA – 20 miles north of us, closer to Boston and opened our second location. Our new location allows us to service the entire 50-mile stretch from the bridge at Cape Cod to Boston. In a few short years we have grown to two locations, 18 employees and are on target to gross over $3 million in sales in 2017.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When we opened in 2010, our initial struggle was our location. We did not have the interior or exterior space to establish a cohesive flow inside or out.
Following the purchase of our Abington location, we undertook a major building and land renovation to bring the building up to date and add curb appeal to the very visible location.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Shaughnessy Rentals – what should we know?
Shaughnessy Rentals is an equipment and party rental business. Our inventory is focused on 50% contractor customers, 35% homeowner and 15% party and event rentals. Our most popular equipment is the earth moving machines, such as the tracked skid-steers, mini walk-behind loaders and mini excavators, and the aerial lifts, scissor lifts and atrium lifts.
I am most proud of our attention to customer service. We are very fortunate to have an incredible staff that truly treats the business as their own. Our staff is comprised of smart, loyal, hard-working men and women with a lot of integrity. Each customer is handled with care and attentiveness and we make every attempt to accommodate their needs for their particular job or project.
We pride ourselves on having equipment for every niche and servicing your equipment as if it were our own.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My background is in Business and Property management and my husband and partner, Dan was a previous partner in a local Taylor Rental before we decided to open our own venture. We both strongly feel that the business would not be what it is today without the trust and dedication of our employees and the strong customer support we received and continue to receive from our community.
Contact Info:
- Address: Shaughnessy Rentals, Sales & Service
111 Camelot Drive, Plymouth, MA / 446 Bedford Street, Abington, MA - Website: shaughnessyrentals.com
- Phone: 508-746-7368 / 781-878-4624
- Email: chris@shaughnessyrentals.com / ben@shaughnessyrentals.com
- Facebook: Shaughnessy Rental, Sales & Service
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