America’s Dirty Little Secret: Hoarding

Hoarding is a topic that has not been talked about much in the past, but in recent times has become a commonly discussed topic. A&E has a ‘Hoarders’ program dedicated to the issue; Oprah has had segments dedicated to the issue; and mental health professionals are talking more and more about the problem. What was once a family’s dirty little secret has come to light and as a result, hoarding is now more treatable than ever. With treatment, individuals who suffer from this problem can fix the issues that they have been dealing with in the past and also avoid further problems in the future.

Hoarding can cause more problems than simply aesthetic ones. While clutter does cause an unsightly mess it can also be the cause for much more serious problems. Families are torn apart, homes are lost, and childhoods are ruined because of hoarding. In serious cases the problem gets so bad that homes are deemed unlivable by the city and families are forced out. Children in extreme cases have been taken away from their parents because the home is no longer livable. This is an issue that is much more serious than most think and needs to be fixed in the early stages before the problem progresses to the point where the earlier mentioned problems arise.

Those who need help with hoarding should begin by seeking help from a professional organizer who deals with the mental/medical causes of hoarding. This is the best place to start when attempting to cope with the problems that hoarding can cause. The next step is to get organized and de-clutter. A professional organizer who specializes in dealing with hoarders would be a great person to contact in regards to this. The professional organizer will help you sort through the mess and separate what should be kept from the items that need to be discarded. The organizer will be a wonderful resource and can objectively look at the items without emotions coming into play. The organizer will help sort the items and help prepare for the next step which is removal of the excess items. This is where a junk removal company such as College Hunks Hauling Junk would come into play. The professional junk removal specialists will come in and remove the excess items so that the home/space can be clutter free and livable.

November 16th, 2009

Each College Hunk Runs His Own Business

Recently, MSNBC profiled College Hunks Hauling Junk about teaching our college-age employees a few life lessons outside the classroom.

Most of those employed by College Hunks Hauling Junk are only employed for the short term, but that doesn’t mean that the experience isn’t valuable for them. The job of the employees is much more involved than simply hauling junk. Each truck is run as its own small business with the employees on the truck in charge. They manage many different aspects of this “business” and are given the freedom to manage their own time and day. This autonomy gives the employees the chance to learn about running their own small business and how to manage ones time effectively and efficiently. The team members take care of billing clients, drumming up new business, the hauling of junk, and generally managing their own day. This approach allows the employees to get much more out of the experience than simply a paycheck, and ultimately, gives them the skills to operate their own business someday. Beyond the employees managing their own day, they are also encouraged to offer up ideas and suggestions to improve the company as a whole. By operating in this manner, it makes for an open work environment that allows us to continue having “the leaders of tomorrow haul your junk today!”

October 25th, 2009

College Hunks Hauling Junk Named Fast-Growing Company

College Hunks Hauling Junk has gone from a part-time summer gig to a thriving nationwide operation in only five years. This year College Hunks Hauling Junk has been recognized as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies on Inc. Magazine’s 28th annual Inc. 500.

“To be acknowledged by Inc. Magazine is a great honor for our company,” said Nick Friedman, President of College Hunks Hauling Junk. “We aspire to be the most preferred junk hauling company in the nation. To be among the most dynamic, innovative, powerhouse companies is a testament to our business model, employees and growth.”

Originally founded in 2005 by Friedman and college friend Omar Soliman, this entrepreneurial success reported a revenue growth of over 1,170%. The company ranked 12th in Consumer Products and Services, and second in the Tampa metro area.

“If you want to know which companies are going to change the world, look at the Inc. 500,” said Jane Berentson, Inc. editor. “These are the ones finding solutions to problems and creating smart systems.”

A tribute to their ambition, Friedman and Soliman were previously named “Top 30 Entrepreneurs in America Under the Age of 30” by Inc. Magazine. At only 27-years old, Friedman has been invited to an “Under 35” panel with Donna Fenn, author of Upstarts: How GenY Entrepreneurs are Rocking the World of Business. He will share insight on the strategies he’s used to successfully grow College Hunks Hauling Junk at the Inc. 500|5000 Conference and Awards Ceremony on Friday, September 25 in National Harbor, Maryland.

About College Hunks Hauling Junk

The College Hunks Hauling Junk concept began in 2003. Today, it is a multi-million dollar enterprise that provides commercial and residential junk removal by dialing 1-800-Junk-USA nationwide. As the largest US-based junk hauling company, College Hunks Hauling Junk donates a portion of revenue from every job to a college scholarship program. The environmentally-friendly company continues to make green look good by recycling or donating more than 60% of items collected. College Hunks Hauling Junk focuses on diverting items from the landfill and increasing the amount of donations to non-profits in need.

October 5th, 2009

Get An MBA Or Buy A Franchise?

Many college undergrads and recent grads are contemplating whether to obtain an MBA. While often viewed as a career accelerator, an MBA does require major commitments of money and time.

Usually, there are four determining factors: cost, time involved, return on investment and job market. But, now there’s a fifth consideration: get an MBA or spend the same amount of money to purchase a franchise?

To pay for an MBA, most people work part-time at low wages while enrolled, deplete their personal or parents’ savings, and obtain student loans that must be repaid. However, going the franchise route can provide a fast and lifetime income that often exceeds the income of those with MBAs.

After graduation, with a degree in Business Administration, from the University of Denver in December 2008, 23-year-old Tanner White considered getting his master’s degree. He then weighed his options.

“I’d spend the same amount of money pursuing a MBA as I would to become a businessowner,” said Tanner. “If I got my master’s degree it wouldn’t guarantee a job, especially in today’s job market. Plus, I most certainly would not be my own boss.”

Tanner purchased a portion of the Denver College Hunks Hauling Junk in June of 2009 from Nathaniel Bruno, who was the sole owner, and is very pleased with his investment. “I don’t think that pursuing a MBA is a bad idea” said Tanner, “but for me taking control of my future rather than hoping for opportunities obtained through a master’s degree seemed like the best path.”

According to Nick Friedman, president of College Hunks Hauling Junk, several of his franchise owners are recent college graduates, which is not the typical franchise owner profile.”Rather than spending $95,000 and two years getting an MBA, more and more people are using the money to open a franchise,” said Friedman. “And, in less than two years they own a cash-producing asset.”

Friedman and his business partner, Omar Soliman, brought a clean-cut image to junk removal by recruiting college students to haul away customers’ unwanted items. The temporary summer gig started in 2005 has grown into a multi-truck, multi-million-dollar franchise operation with locations across the country.

“Franchising allows people to go into business for themselves but not by themselves,” Friedman said. “It offers a much more secure method of entrepreneurship.” New franchisees get five days of training at “Junk University” in Tampa to learn every aspect of the business. The company focuses on branding, marketing, community involvement and recycling efforts.

Just like college, parents can invest in their child’s future by helping fund the business.Tanner’s parents helped their son by co-signing the loan for the franchise. “This is a great business,” said Tanner. “It’s fun, you do a lot for the community and can make a great deal of money if you follow the franchise formula.”

View the full press release

August 31st, 2009

Hunks Help Kids in Crisis

College Hunks Hauling Junk met with the Denver Human Services organization, Kids in Crisis, which helps children ages 10-18 whose lives have been impacted by neglect or abuse. The non-profit organization provides medical care, dormitory style living, onsite schooling, and family support. Since College Hunks Hauling Junk comes across many useful childrens items we thought a partnership with Kids in Crisis would be an excellent idea. In our meeting, we gathered a list of items that are appropriate for the youth, as opposed to sending random donations that end up getting re-distributed to other organizations. Kids in Crisis is always looking for items such as kids apparel, sporting goods, DVDs. childrens books, video games, etc.

College Hunks Hauling Junk is proud to help with such an honorable organization like Kids in Crisis.

CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER
Denver Department of Human Services
Family Crisis Center

To whom it may concern:

For the past six months, our organization has been fortunate enough to be partnering with College Hunks Hauling Junk.

Our most recent donation from College Hunks Hauling Junk was thirty bags full of clothing for our youth. The youth loved all of the clothing and were excited to see that used clothing can indeed be fashionable.

College Hunks Hauling Junk is a great company to collaborate with and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them in the future!

Sincerely,
Erin Mays – Acting Facility Director
Lisa Saliman – Education Supervisor
www.helpingkidsincrisis.org

You can rest assured that College Hunks Hauling Junk will send all of your items – that are children-related – to the Kids in Crisis organization and to the children that needs them most of all!

Do you know of other worthy causes for us to be a part of? Post your answers in the comments below….

January 12th, 2009