Anthony Boido
President, TNT Tent and Table Rentals: Age 38
Anthony Boido was working for the town of Agawam in 2012, and also serving in the U.S. Air Force Reserve — he deployed three times to Afghanistan and Iraq — when the local Taylor Rental was going out of business, which gave him an idea.
Having worked for an event and tent rental company almost a decade earlier, he borrowed $1,000 from his parents; bought a couple of used tents, 10 tables, and 100 chairs; and launched TNT Tent and Table Rentals.
“I was doing it on the weekends to make a little extra money,” Boido said. “Over the next few years, it really took off and started to grow. I wasn’t expecting it to grow as fast as it did, but I came to a point where I had to make a decision: ‘this is getting too big. Do I stay at my job, or do I take it full-time?’ I decided I had to give it a shot.”
That was a wise decision. The company now boasts more than 150 tents, more than 500 tables, more than 7,000 chairs, and the ability to serve not only backyard parties, but large events like air shows at Westover Air Reserve Base and Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport. Last year, he set up 130 tents for the Big E alone.
And he loves every connection he makes.
“When we’re showing up at someone’s house or event fairgrounds, whether it’s a baby shower, wedding, birthday party, graduation, it’s usually something meaningful to them, and everyone’s in a great mood. They’re happy; they’re telling us all about who’s getting married or what’s happening. And it makes our lives, in a blue-collar business, a lot easier.”
Boido also shares his success with nonprofits like Shriners Children’s New England, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and veterans’ organizations.
“In my first year in business, I called Shriners and said, ‘I want to give something to you guys.’ We had a great first year in business, so we took all our tip money and donated it to Shriners. It was a small donation, but it was a great feeling. I said, ‘I’m going to help out every single year in every way I can.’ And I’m a veteran, so helping veterans’ organizations was an easy thing to get on board with.”
To Boido, it’s about staying true to his community.
“When you become successful, it’s not just about take, take, take or make, make, make. It’s about giving back and helping those who helped you get to where you are.”
—Joseph Bednar
