We are a tool and equipment rental company. So we do have “peak” and “off peak” seasons. Winter being an off peak season.

But for us, this winter has been terrible. (Even compared to 2023-2024.) During our peak season, we can average $1600-$1800 daily. And during off peak, according to our limited historical data (3 years), we should be at around $600-$700 daily. This winter though it’s more around $300-$400, with days of $100 or less.

We planned for the off peak season by saving, but even with that we’re struggling to make ends meet come the 1st of the month. There is literally not much more than payroll + expenses coming in, some months, less than Payroll, leaving me to have to expend savings for office supplies, maintenance and repair costs, and other incidentials. In my county (El Paso County, Texas), the CAD here charges us business personal property tax, which is another added expense due at the beginning of the year, and honestly this year I’m going to have to take the penalty and pay it late. I know next month come spring things will gradually start to pick up, but I wanted to reach out to other business owners and see how they have been doing this winter compared to other years? That way I can guage if this is an economy, election, or some other outside influence (in other words, it’s a semi-isolated incident) or if there is potentially another cause for the decline in rentals this year.