SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – What started out as a hobby for Gino Bedwell has expanded into a thriving business over the last decade, and due to its growing success, G-Pro Snow Removal has found a new home base to continue serving the Lake Tahoe community when those winter storms hit.
Bedwell and his wife, Sharon, have lived in Lake Tahoe all their lives. If there’s anyone who knows the ins and outs of the community and its weather, it’s the pair, and between running both a construction business and their snow removal business, they also know the ins and outs of how to keep their livelihood afloat.
“I stepped in 10 years ago,” said Sharon. “I noticed that [Gino] needed a little extra help, and before I knew it, I was in full time. Bit by bit, we’ve just been growing, accumulating things and accumulating customers.”
After outgrowing their previous space with the addition of more tractors and equipment, the Bedwells recently purchased a building that best fits their business’s evolving needs, and the expansion comes just before a snow season that is rumored to be supercharged by the super El Niño that’s hitting the country this year.
“I think a lot of people have heard this year that it’s going to be a big winter,” Sharon said. “We’ve had people sign up a little earlier this year than last year because the last two winters, we really didn’t have much snow.”
It’s not easy operating a business in the Basin, and due to a solid foundation built throughout the years, G-Pro has been able to sustain customers each winter.
“It takes sacrifice, countless hours, dedication and most importantly integrity,” said Sharon when asked if there was any advice for those looking to start their own business in the area. “Also, if there’s a married couple trying to figure out how to be business partners as well as life partners, is to learn how to turn one hat off and turn the other on. Patience and communication are key.”
Their services range from commercial snow removal to residential routes and seasonal contracts. After a fresh snowfall is when they really get to shine, and now, they have a place to store their growing collection of machinery.
With one loader (a large tractor for commercial accounts), two MultiHogs (smaller tractors with blower attachments), two Bobcats (smaller than the MultiHogs with blower attachments), one plow truck and a several Honda blowers, there’s really not much snow they can’t get through.
Although, along with all that heavy-duty equipment comes its share of challenges. In order to operate efficiently, maintenance is a must.
“We just paid $30,000 to repair a tractor,” said Sharon. “It’s not cheap to operate a business like this.”
“And our employees are so valuable to us,” Bedwell added. “For both businesses, nothing can happen without them.”
The Bedwells, in addition to gratitude and praise for their hard-working employees, have also remained grateful over the last 10 years to be able to live and work in their favorite place, Lake Tahoe.
“I feel honored,” Sharon said. “The fact that we can do this and still live here – I love Tahoe. I love my home. We’ve both moved away and came back because there’s nowhere else I’d want to raise my kids, no where else I’d want to go.”
If you’re located near the following: The Y area, State Streets/Keys, Sierra Tract, Al Tahoe Neighborhood, Black Bart streets, Cold Creek and all adjacent streets behind Sierra House, off of Pioneer Trail and off streets down to Elks Club Neighborhood including lower Mandan, Ski Run, or the Bijou area, G-Pro Snow Removal can easily service your area.
To learn more about G-Pro Snow Removal or to get ahead in booking before the winter season starts, visit gprosnowremoval.com.
G-Pro Snow Removal is now located at 2089 James Avenue in South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
