Matt started a junk removal business after rehab and jail, growing it from a side hustle to $50K/month with 35% profit margins. Using low-cost, old-school marketing like candy dishes and personal networking with realtors, he built a strong client base. The business thrives on multiple revenue streams including junk hauling, reselling items, and scrapping metals.
Starting a business from scratch is challenging, especially when you have limited resources and a difficult past. This is the inspiring story of Matt, who, after overcoming addiction, jail, and homelessness, built a thriving junk removal business making $50,000 a month with 35% profit margins.
Matt's journey began after he got out of jail and rehab. While working at the Salvation Army picking up donations, he noticed many items they couldn't accept due to damage or dirt. People often asked, "If you can't take it, who can we call?" This sparked the idea for a junk removal business.
At 35 years old, with no prior business experience and working nights at Safeway for $15 an hour, Matt started the junk removal business as a side hustle. Using a beat-up pickup truck and a utility trailer, he worked early mornings after his shifts to pick up junk.
Matt's first customer came from a free Craigslist ad in the labor section. He underbid a realtor's job at $200, which barely covered dump fees and gas, but it was the start of his entrepreneurial journey.
To get more customers, Matt and his partner Joanie used creative, low-cost marketing strategies:
This old-school, boots-on-the-ground approach helped them build a strong client base without spending money on ads.
In the first year, working part-time, Matt made $87,000 with a 70% profit margin, as he did most of the work himself and had minimal expenses.
As the business grew, they reinvested earnings to improve professionalism:
Today, the business generates $50,000 a month with about 35% net profit after payroll, dump fees, insurance, and other expenses.
Pricing varies from $6.95 to $9.95 per unit depending on the type of junk and difficulty of removal. Hoarder houses or heavy materials command higher prices.
They handle a variety of jobs, including large hoarder cleanouts worth $40,000 to $49,000. These big jobs are highly profitable despite the challenges.
One of the unique advantages of the junk removal business is multiple revenue streams:
This layered income model maximizes profits and adds resilience to the business.
Matt and Joanie emphasize several key lessons:
They also credit their YouTube channel for helping grow their business by:
Matt's story is a testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and hard work. From a challenging past to a successful business owner, he leveraged simple marketing tactics and multiple revenue streams to build a profitable junk removal company.
For anyone looking to start a service business with low startup costs and high margins, junk removal offers a compelling opportunity.
Matt and Joanie share hundreds of videos on their YouTube channel "Soma Strong Hauling" that guide viewers through starting and growing a junk removal or home service business.
You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram under Soma Strong Hauling.
This story highlights how constraints can fuel creativity and how old-school marketing combined with modern online presence can build a thriving business from nothing.
