We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Caden Vanderbyl a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Caden, appreciate you joining us today. How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.

When we acquired Beach 2 You almost two years ago, it was a great local concept, but very manual: old processes, limited communication systems, and no real brand presence. The first phase of scaling wasn’t glamorous at all; it was research, delivery mapping, and late nights figuring out how to make everything more efficient without losing the personal touch that customers loved.

The biggest turning point was building repeatable systems. We implemented booking and scheduling tools, streamlined communication through automation, and invested in additional vehicles and equipment to handle more orders with less chaos. I treated it like any other logistics company — just with beach gear instead of pallets.

Another key moment was the rebrand to Beach Day Valet. It wasn’t just a new name; it was a full repositioning. We went from being “the beach rental folks” to a polished, hospitality-driven service that hotels and vacationers could trust. That shift opened the door to partnerships, brand recognition, and year-round visibility.

Of course, there were mistakes along the way, overbuying gear one season, under-staffing another, and misjudging the amount of labor to pull it all off with a smile. But each of those moments forced us to refine the playbook.

What’s worked best long-term is consistency: showing up on time, communicating clearly, and focusing on reliability over flash. There wasn’t one big breakthrough moment, just a series of small, disciplined decisions that built trust and traction over time. And honestly, we feel like we’ve barely scratched the surface. There’s still so much room to grow, improve, and reach more people who want that effortless beach experience.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Almost two years ago, I came across a local company, Beach 2 You, that had been delivering beach gear in San Diego for years. I loved the concept, but I saw a huge opportunity to modernize it, bringing structure, consistency, and a fresh brand that matches the level of service people expect today. We acquired it, reimagined the business from the ground up, and Beach Day Valet was born.

We’re a family-run beach gear delivery company built around one simple goal: make beach days effortless. We deliver high-quality chairs, umbrellas, tables, and coolers directly to our customers —families, travelers, and hospitality partners —so they can spend less time hauling gear and more time enjoying the coast.

What really sets us apart is reliability and care. Our customers trust us with their time and money, and we take that seriously. We show up when we say we will, communicate clearly, and take pride in the small details that make the experience feel seamless. That focus has earned us over 150 five-star reviews and built strong relationships with hotels, vacation rental managers, and repeat local customers.

Brand-wise, I wanted Beach Day Valet to feel like San Diego: clean, approachable, and a little playful. From our color palette to our tagline, “More beach, less burden,” everything we do reflects that balance of coastal ease and professional execution.

What I’m most proud of is how far we’ve come in such a short time, not just in revenue or logistics, but in creating a brand people genuinely love interacting with. Whether it’s a family on vacation or a hotel partner adding our service to their guest experience, the feedback is the same: “That was so easy.”

At the end of the day, that’s what drives me: building something that helps people relax, enjoy where they are, and feel taken care of.

Let’s move on to buying businesses – can you talk to us about your experience with business acquisitions?

Yes! Beach Day Valet actually began with an acquisition.

Almost two years ago, I came across a local business called Beach 2 You that had been delivering beach gear in San Diego for years. It had a loyal customer base and a great concept, but the systems and branding hadn’t really evolved. I saw an opportunity to take what already worked and elevate it. To modernize the logistics, improve consistency, and build a brand that felt as professional as the service deserved to be.

The acquisition process itself was a crash course in small-business ownership. There wasn’t a giant due diligence team; it was my wife and me digging into what made the business tick: seasonality, assets, customer flow, and any vendor relationships. I wanted to understand not only the financials, but also the “why” behind the service.

Once we closed, the real work began, rebuilding everything from the brand identity and tech stack to pricing, logistics, and customer experience. We launched Beach Day Valet with a new name, website, and systems designed for scalability. It was equal parts exciting and humbling; buying a business is one thing, but transforming it while maintaining its soul is another.

Looking back, the acquisition gave us a huge head start. We inherited community goodwill and local credibility, then layered in structure, design, and reliability. It taught me that the best acquisitions aren’t about starting over, they’re about honoring what worked and reimagining what’s possible.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

We’re still refining this, but so far our best sources of new clients have been word of mouth and web searches.

Because our business is so experience-driven, people tend to share it with friends or family after they’ve tried it once. That organic referral network has been huge, especially for vacationers and returning locals who want to recreate a great experience year after year.

Our 150+ five-star Google reviews have also played a significant role in driving new business. Travelers often search for beach rentals or delivery services while planning their trips, and seeing consistent positive feedback builds instant trust.

We’re now experimenting with partnerships and digital campaigns, connecting with boutique hotels, Airbnb hosts, and local vacation rental companies to make our service part of their guest experience. We’ve also been refining our website and online booking flow so that discovery feels seamless from the first click.

So while we’re still testing and learning, the theme has been clear: the best growth comes from trust. When we deliver (literally and figuratively) and people have a great experience, they become our best marketing channel.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beachdayvalet.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beachdayvalet/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beachdayvalet/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beachdayvalet/