Introduction
The guest Joseph joins the show from Sandy Springs, Georgia
Sandy Springs nostalgia and local landmarks
Background before entrepreneurship - started working at age 12
Parents' divorce and finding outlet through work
Working with mentor Chris Milan building decks and painting houses
High school years doing landscaping and odd jobs
Learning through failure - the $1,000 job that cost $3,000
Falling into junk removal at age 17 through landscaping customer
Decision to go all-in on junk business
Studying 1-800-GOT-JUNK's $700-800M model instead of reinventing
Five-year journey - profitable year 1 and year 5, growth-focused in between
"Topline is for vanity, bottom line is for sanity" - reversed priorities
Sharing exit proceeds with entire team - four and five-figure bonuses
Life-changing bonuses for employees making $15-22/hour
Nearly two years as VP after acquisition
What's next - manufactured housing business with his mother
Investing in affordable/workforce housing in East Tennessee
Joy of being present with family after years of 4 a.m. starts
Early expectations as business owner
Owner flexibility vs. always being "on"
Competitive nature - business as "playing football 365 days a year"
Risk vs. reward of ownership
$100,000 credit card debt crisis in year 3-4
Revenue journey - zero to $2.8-2.9 million in 5 years
High-volume business strategy for predictability
College student recruitment strategy - differentiation through people
8 trucks and 30-35 employees at exit
Back office operations - small contact center challenge
Using business management software from day one
Long-term goals and flexibility in planning
Manufactured housing opportunity and construction industry inefficiency
Goal number one - provide for family and be present
Final advice - "Just do it" and embrace imperfect action
Closing and Joseph's Junk Removal information