NickOfTimeSOLLutions: Delivering What Harlan Needs, When It's Needed

From Air Force Veteran to Community Lifeline: How One Local Entrepreneur is Keeping Harlan Connected

When Nick Soll saw gaps in his hometown's services during the pandemic, he didn't just complain—he created a solution. What started as a simple delivery service has evolved into something much more: a flexible, reliable lifeline that connects Harlan residents with everything from hot meals to essential transportation.

"I worked at Pizza Ranch as a delivery driver for four years part-time, right in the middle of COVID," Nick explains. "It didn't take me long doing that to be like, we need more options here as far as transportation and delivery are concerned because there was nothing else."

From Military Service to Community Service

Nick's path to entrepreneurship wasn't conventional. After serving six years in the Air Force, he worked as a transportation manager at Warner Enterprises, overseeing thousands of truck drivers. "Going from managing thousands of truck drivers to just managing myself—this is relatively easy, really," he says with a laugh. "I just have to control what I do."

It was his combination of military discipline, transportation expertise, and intimate knowledge of his hometown that positioned him perfectly for what came next. On October 10, 2022, Nick officially launched NickOfTimeSOLLutions—a name that his mother cleverly created, building on the family's business tradition. "My mom also owns a business in the area, and her business name is SaniTERRI SOLLutions, so that's where she came up with mine."

More Than Just Delivery

What makes NickOfTimeSOLLutions unique isn't just what Nick delivers—it's how he delivers it. Unlike larger delivery services that operate through apps and automated systems, every interaction goes directly through Nick himself.

"The biggest thing is just the flexibility," Nick explains. "Your Uber, your DoorDash, they're all set up online. There's no person you're really talking to, unless you're calling customer service. Whereas mine, it's always talking to me."

This personal approach serves Harlan's unique needs perfectly. Many local businesses don't have the technology infrastructure for online ordering that big-city delivery services require. By maintaining direct communication and flexible payment options, Nick can work with every business in town—except Pizza Ranch, which maintains its own delivery service.

The service range is impressively broad. Nick handles everything from restaurant deliveries and grocery runs to pet food pickup and even more unusual requests. "One of the craziest things I've done is somebody called me and said, 'Hey, I have a dead animal in my yard, and I don't want to mess with it. Can you please deliver it off of my property?'" Nick recalls. "It's not ideal, but if it's somebody I know is going to take care of me, then I'll go a little above and beyond."

Transportation That Goes the Distance

About six months after launching delivery services, Nick added transportation to his offerings. While most of his work stays within Shelby County, he's willing to travel much further when needed. His longest trip? A 22-hour round trip to northern Michigan.

"On a consistent basis, within 30 miles, it's pretty typical. Up to an hour, hour and a half, at least once a week, usually, at a minimum," Nick explains. For trips outside town, he charges 50 cents per mile and $10 per hour, calculated round-trip from Harlan.

His pricing structure reflects the local market: $5 for any pickup and delivery within town, with additional stops costing $3 each. It's straightforward, transparent, and designed to be accessible to his neighbors.

Building Trust in a Small Town

In a community of 3,000 people, trust isn't just important—it's everything. "You really have to be somebody people can trust if you're going to be coming to their places where they live or the places where they work," Nick emphasizes. "That's their personal space. That's where they feel the most safe."

This trust-building extends beyond just reliability. Many of Nick's regular customers are people who value their privacy and prefer the comfort of their own homes. For various reasons—whether due to mobility challenges, busy schedules, or simply personal preference—these community members find tremendous value in having services brought directly to them.

Nick has discovered that serving this customer base requires a special approach rooted in genuine respect and understanding. "They just need somebody they can count on," he explains. "Someone who won't judge them and will treat them with dignity. As long as you're reliable and respectful, that's all that matters to them." For Nick, being able to provide independence and convenience to people who might otherwise struggle to access these services represents one of the most rewarding aspects of his work.

Beyond Business: Community Impact

Nick's vision extends far beyond making a living. Having grown up in Harlan when the population was closer to 5,000, he's witnessed firsthand the challenges facing rural communities.

"This is where I grew up. This is where I was raised. I wanted to bring something to my community that we could use that would be beneficial to the community," he explains. "I'm not just here trying to make a living for myself and my family. I'm trying to bring something to community that can help us grow, can help us move forward."

He sees his service as potentially attractive to newcomers and businesses considering Harlan. "This is something that many small towns don't offer. That's something special. That's something that can really be something that people from the outside looking in can be like, 'Wow, we come from this town that didn't have that. This is awesome.'"

Looking Ahead

As the business grows, Nick faces the challenge of maintaining quality while potentially expanding. He's considered bringing on help but recognizes the unique demands of his work. "You have to be ready to go at the snap of your fingers. You can't just all of a sudden have personal obligations or other work you need to do and not be available to the community."

He's even contemplated expanding his model to other small towns—not by growing his own business, but by training others to start similar services in their communities. "That almost seems more rewarding to me, too, because then those people become their own business owners, too."

For now, though, Nick remains focused on serving Harlan and building something lasting for his community. With nearly 2,000 members in his Facebook group and a growing base of regular customers, NickOfTimeSOLLutions has established itself as more than just a business—it's become a vital part of Harlan's infrastructure.

Getting Started is Simple

Working with NickOfTimeSOLLutions couldn't be easier. "All I really need from anybody reaching out to me is, 'Hey, are you available?'" Nick says. "That's literally all I need from anybody. And we'll go from there."

Nick accepts cash, Venmo, and Cash App for payment, and even takes checks from established customers. He posts his weekly schedule every Sunday night in his Facebook group, where local businesses also share specials and customers occasionally leave reviews.

"The first order is just the hardest because it's getting all the questions out of the way, figuring out how it all works. And then once you've gotten that out of the way, the second order is a lot easier. And then every order after the second order is basically just a cakewalk."

In a world where personal service often feels like a relic of the past, Nick Soll is proving that sometimes the old-fashioned approach works best. By combining military precision with small-town values, he's created something that goes beyond convenience—he's built a bridge that keeps Harlan connected. Whether you need lunch delivered on a busy day, a ride to an important appointment, or help with an unexpected task, NickOfTimeSOLLutions represents something increasingly rare: a business that truly puts community first.

As Harlan continues to evolve, Nick's service stands as proof that innovation doesn't always mean high-tech solutions—sometimes it means taking the time to understand what your neighbors actually need and finding creative ways to deliver it. In doing so, he's not just running a business; he's strengthening the fabric of his community, one delivery at a time.

Ready to experience the convenience of local delivery and transportation? Text Nick directly at (712) 579-0376 with "Hey, are you available?" or any message to get started. Join the NickOfTimeSOLLutions Facebook group to see weekly schedules, local business specials, and connect with nearly 2,000 community members who rely on this essential service.