Starting a Junk Removal Company
Interview with Junk Removal Entrepreneur Nick Friedman
Starting a junk removal company? If so, you'll want to hear what Nick Friedman has to say. He's the founder of a highly-respected national junk removal service called College Hunks Hauling Junk.
We hear from plenty of aspiring entrepreneurs who want to learn how to start a junk removal company.
So we decided to talk to an expert to get some advice. Nick Friedman, founder of College Hunks Hauling Junk, was happy enough to take part in one of our entrepreneur interviews and share his entrepreneurial story.
Tell me about your current business. What are you doing exactly?
We sell junk removal franchises that provide collegiate teams to remove unwanted items from residential and commercial properties, taking them to be properly recycled or disposed of.
Where is your business located?
We are headquartered in Tampa, FL with operations in 15 metropolitan cities across the US.
When did you start the business?
I started the company during college in 2003.
What were you doing before this, and is this your first business?
After college, we took regular corporate jobs before starting this business on a full-scale. This is our first real business.
Where did you get the startup money?
Parents and personal savings.
Who are your main competitors? How do you compete against them?
Canadian-based Got Junk, as well as smaller "ma and pa" operations. We compete by providing a memorable client experience, and fostering client loyalty by leveraging our collegiate brand and community ties.
How has your experience in running the business been different from what you expected?
We've grown much faster than I expected.
That's always a pleasant surprise. Is there anything you wish you had done differently?
I wish I had started this company 10 years ago.
I think that's a common thought for many entrepreneurs. So, what have you done that has been very effective in helping to grow the business?
We designed and developed proprietary in-house software that has helped us streamline our operations and scale our business so that we could expand nationally.
What advice would you give to somebody else who wanted to start a moving business?
This is an extremely low-barrier to entry industry, so while it may be easy to start, there is a lot of competition. Differentiating yourself is important if you want to survive and grow. Franchising is an entirely different business, and you better be prepared for the expenses and the work effort that goes into growing a successful franchise operation.
That's great advice. A lot of people think franchising a company is a fast path to riches, but it's hard work. Thanks so much for sharing your entrepreneurial experience with us, Nick, and good luck in growing your business.
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