Queen Creek resident Jill Dees and Gilbert resident Penney Nielsen have been friends for more than 30 years.
So after Nielsen’s husband died, it followed that Dees and her husband, Verlynn, would help Nielsen when she decided to start a business this fall.
Jill Dees and Nielsen own and operate RainMaker Water Truck Rentals, using three water trucks purchased with life insurance money from Nielsen’s husband’s estate. The business rents the trucks for mandated dust control at construction sites and other venues.
“We’ve watched out for each other over the years,” Jill Dees said. “This gets Penney an income, and with the dust, we know there’s a demand, and we’re cheaper than anybody.”
The company’s first regular customer was Queen Creek’s Schnepf Farms. RainMaker provided water-sprayer trucks for its EdgeFest music festival and annual Pumpkin and Chili Party.
The women said they are working to acquire more accounts and more trucks.
“Our main goal is to give someone a good deal while we make money — it’s a win-win,” Dees said.
Nielsen said the company works to be flexible with customers and can offer drivers, transport of the truck and other options. The company rents a water truck for $250 a day.
Nielsen said her future is brighter with her new undertaking.
“The two of them (the Deeses) have saved my life,” she said. “You couldn’t ask for better friends.”
For information about RainMaker Water Trucks, call (480) 474-9603 or visit www.rainmakerwatertrucks.com.
