Clearing the Way: Brady Snow Solutions

When Blake Brady decided to open a new snow removal business, Brady Snow Solutions, he didn’t immediately start with a shovel. Instead, his grandparents’ influence led him to the Grinnell Chamber.

“The Chamber was my grandparents’ deal,” recalls Brady. “They would call their local chamber all the time for referrals and advice.” When Brady told them about his new business venture, they immediately asked if Grinnell had a Chamber to join.

“I told them I passed the building quite a bit,” Brady jokes. But as he spent two months researching opening a Grinnell area business, he reached out to the Chamber for support — with their help, he got connected with an attorney and an insurance agency.

“Anything I couldn’t buy in cash, I let go,” he recalls. He told Chamber Ambassadors that he didn't want to go into debt while launching his business and wanted to consider what would make the most financial sense, which included joining the Grinnell Chamber!

With an outdoorsy personality and a need to stay busy, Brady knew he wanted to work on a hands-on venture like snow removal, which aligned with his seasonal full-time workload. “I can honestly count how many times I’ve watched TV on one hand — I can’t sit still for very long,” he laughs.

And then, winter hit. With everyone he spoke to, it seemed Grinnell was in need of more snow removal service — and fast.

By late December and early January, he kickstarted his snow services, accepting all residential and small/medium commercial jobs. A typical two-car driveway? No problem.

Brady handles heavy snowfalls himself, offering prices based on square footage. Clients can purchase contract subscriptions or “per push” services — those on contract are on the top of the list for the whole year and can choose to secure Brady’s services from — for example — December 1 to March 1. If clients opt into the “per push” service, Brady charges for each time he comes and shovels for you.

Currently, Brady uses an app to keep track of his clients. Depending on his clients’ preferences, he can set an alert for when a specific client would like their property shoveled, whether after 1, 2, or 3 inches of snow. “The app can even create a route for me to be more efficient.” He currently serves Grinnell, Gilman, and Oakland Acres, and can travel farther — including Marshalltown — though additional distance fees may apply.

Stay connected with Brady Snow Solutions through his Facebook page — occasionally, you might see him post on the Grinnell and Brooklyn community pages. In the future, he is planning to invest in a few tools to keep the business growing.

“Ultimately, I am trying to get my feet planted ahead of next year,” says Brady. Contact Brady Snow Solutions before the next snowfall — or even before spring hits — by calling 641-456-8737 and emailing blake@bradysnowsolutions.com. If you see Brady driving around town with his Ram 2500, a bunch of shovels, and salt, make sure to say hi!

Chamber Ambassadors, from left to right:

• Monique Shore — PFLAG Grinnell Poweshiek
• Shivam Sharma — Country Inn & Suites by Radisson
• Evan Petig — The Grinnellian
• Marcus Brandenburg — Anthem Heating & Cooling
• Dedee Lehman — All In Real Estate Inc.
• Alathia Andera – Poweshiek County 4-H
• Blake Pearson — Converge Chiropractic PLLC
• Fran Conn
• Nicolle Donnelly — Poweshiek Insurance Agency
• Matt Moyer — Bayer Crop Science
• Blake Brady — Brady Snow Solutions
• Yesenia Mozo — Grinnell Chamber
• Trent Arment — MCG - Mahaska Communication Group
• Nikki Armstead — Grinnell Chamber
• Jess Dawson — REMAX Partners Realty- Grinnell
• Charlie Isaacs — Theisen's
• Monica St. Angelo — Grinnell Area Arts Council