Published: Aug 07, 2006 8:17 AM EST

LANCASTER COUNTY, PA - Three Lancaster women entrepreneurs have opened a business that's painting southcentral Pennsylvania in red porta-potties.

Fun, fussy and full of ambition, Deb Weaver, Brenda Miller and Donna Shertzer of Red Rose Sanitation Solutions Inc., at 1031 Dillerville Road, incorporated their business Jan. 11.

Their signature Red Rose City porta-potties are making a necessary fashion statement at picnics, special and sporting events, pool and graduation parties, and construction sites throughout the region.

"They set us apart from the rest of the pack," said Weaver, president of the company, noting Red Rose is likely the only local female-owned porta-potty business.

"We're the only women in this type of business, so we raise a few eyebrows," said Weaver. "We like to give 'em a little Bonnie Raitt and give 'em something to talk about."

Customers have taken note of the women's colorful approach to something that stays in the background, and of their unique units.

Red Rose took a men's urinal and turned it into an airy baby comfort station for diaper changing at public events. They also rent a "wedding white" unit for those who might want class, not sass, at a wedding. They also rent a handicapped-accessible unit, a free-standing sink for hand washing and a larger VIP Boudoir restroom with flushing capabilities, a mirror, light, hand washing station and toilet seat cleaner.

A standard red or green porta-potty may be rented for as little as $100 for a weekend, and special rates are available for those needing a long-term bathroom station for a construction site. The company has a vacuum truck equipped with fresh water, which makes the rounds to pump out and clean its units. Sewage from the truck is taken to municipal sewer plants.

"It probably sounds disgusting, but we all have to take care of these things at home," said Weaver. "If the unit smells clean, it is clean. We're keeping our assets clean."

Red Rose Sanitation (www.redrosesanitation.com) is an offshoot of Weaver and Miller's parent company, Red Rose Pool Service Inc., at the same location. Miller is vice president of Red Rose Pool Service and secretary/treasurer of Red Rose Sanitation.

"Our previous employer had gone out of business," explained Weaver. "We brought eight people with us to begin our company."

The pool service, situated in a 6,000-square-foot building now shared with Red Rose Sanitation, is in its fourth year. The current location is the third for the pool company, which outgrew its two previous sites.

"We had a real growth spurt last year," said Weaver.

Even so, the women wish to maintain a small, flexible, family-oriented working atmosphere.

"We're all very close," said Shertzer, who is vice-president of Red Rose Sanitation and Miller's sister.

"We don't want to get so big we lose our focus," Shertzer said.

"But it is important for us to grow employee-wise," Weaver said. "Service is where it's at, and the sky's the limit. We want to get more units out.

"Money can't buy happiness and can bring on too much stress," Weaver said. "We do things the right way. We laugh, carry on, and have a good time. We're going to make money in the process, and that's a good thing."

According to Miller, it was a natural move for the parent company to expand from pools to potties, and their very first porta-potty customer was a pool customer who was throwing a party. The pool owner didn't want partygoers trooping through the house in wet bathing suits. Red Rose Pool Service repairs pools and equipment. It sells pool supplies and does liner replacements, painting, tile repair, caulking, and sells cleaners, heaters, pumps and filters. This year they added Leisure Bay Spas to their offerings.

During the slower winter season the firm does holiday lighting, a service it also offers for summer outdoor special events and pool parties.

The women say the new porta-potty business is not without its perils. A customer once used a porta-potty as a recycling bin, and one unit was vandalized.

All in all, said Shertzer, "It's a joy to come to work. This business is going to go crazy."