Tanner Drost, 33

Founder and CEO
The Hot Tub Man Ltd.
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

From sweeping floors to leading one of Alberta’s most trusted hot tub service companies, Tanner Drost has worked nearly every role in the industry. He started in 2013 with no experience — just a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn — and moved through deliveries, repairs, water care, sales and management.

In 2020, Drost launched The Hot Tub Man from his tiny apartment, with no showroom, inventory or staff — just himself, his tools and a promise to do things differently. “I built the business one relationship at a time, showing up reliably, treating people with respect and offering the kind of care I thought the industry was missing,” Drost says. Today, The Hot Tub Man operates two locations, manufactures a Canadian-made cold plunge line and employs a growing team of full-time technicians.

One of Drost’s most valued moments was when a customer told him, “You’re the first person who’s actually helped me.” That shaped his company culture, which has since earned Small Business of the Year honors from the Red Deer Chamber and over 250 five-star reviews.

His path wasn’t easy. Facing homelessness in his early 20s, Drost’s determination helped his rise in the industry. “There were moments of doubt — slow seasons, brutal weather, financial strain — but I overcame it with relentless consistency, support from my partner and a stubborn belief that treating people right would pay off,” Drost says.

Drost plans to expand across western Canada and mentor other service entrepreneurs. He wants to build a culture where his team excels at work and in life, planning for expanded leadership roles and eventual employee ownership. Instead of the pressure-driven sales tactics he sees in much of the industry, Drost focuses on relationships over quick closes. “I want customers to look back and say, ‘That was the best service I’ve ever had,’ and team members to say, ‘That was the best place I’ve ever worked,’ ” he says.

Off the clock, Drost and his partner, Hailey, enjoy traveling to warm destinations to escape Alberta winters, recharging their energy and creativity. A music aficionado and personal development devotee, Drost also cherishes time with their two dogs and savors quiet moments in the hot tub.