Leadership & Team
In the last installment of our Spotlight on Women-Owned Portable Sanitation Businesses series, we explored the operational backbone of these companies. Now, we turn our focus to the heart of every successful business: leadership and the teams that bring it all together. For women in portable sanitation, leading a crew isn’t just about keeping schedules and units in order—it’s about shaping culture, building trust, and setting new standards in an industry where they’ve often had to carve their own place.
Approaching Hiring and Training with Purpose
Hiring and training are critical touchpoints where leadership begins. Many women business owners bring a deliberate approach to building their teams, looking beyond résumés to find individuals who align with their company’s values. Training often extends far past compliance and technical skills, incorporating safety, professionalism, and customer care. In many cases, leaders work closely with new employees during their first jobs to ensure expectations are clear and standards are met. By investing time and attention in staff development, these women create loyal, reliable crews who see their work as more than a job—it’s a vital service to the community.
Evolving Leadership Styles
Leadership isn’t static, and for many women entrepreneurs, it has evolved alongside their businesses. Early on, some adopt a hands-on style, working side by side with their teams to establish credibility and show that no task is beneath them. As companies grow, leadership often shifts toward a more strategic role—delegating responsibilities, mentoring managers, and guiding long-term vision. Others lean into servant leadership, focusing on empowering employees and fostering accountability so that everyone feels ownership of the company’s success.
For Kerri Scott, owner of Trucker Jons, leadership is about setting the tone through her own actions. She explains:
“My leadership style is leading by example! I want my team to see me in the trenches and see me out there making a difference to our customers. That means showing how we value our services and partnerships with them. I treat my team with respect and with much appreciation. This lets them know just how much I value them. When you show your value in your work, they will also duplicate that in their work as well!”
Her approach underscores how respect, appreciation, and visible commitment can inspire teams to mirror the same dedication in their own work.
Facing Resistance and Bias
Of course, leading in a male-dominated industry has its unique hurdles. Many women recount moments when their authority was questioned, suppliers doubted their expertise, or competitors underestimated them. For some, resistance even came from within their own crews, requiring persistence and consistency to prove their leadership was both competent and decisive. Yet over time, results speak louder than bias. By consistently delivering on contracts, maintaining high service standards, and standing firm in their vision, these women not only earn respect but also reshape industry perceptions.
Redefining Leadership in Sanitation
Through intentional hiring, adaptive leadership, and resilience in the face of bias, women-owned businesses are rewriting the playbook on what it means to lead in portable sanitation. Their teams don’t just work for them—they grow with them. And with each contract won, each challenge overcome, and each new team member trained, these leaders continue to break barriers and set examples for the next generation of entrepreneurs entering the field. In our next and final feature of this series, we’ll share women’s closing perspectives—along with their best advice for the next generation of leaders shaping the future of portable sanitation.