Jerry Flanagan, Owner and Founder of JDog Junk Removal, has created a company that is dedicated to giving veterans career opportunities in the waste industry. Formed out of the need to transition to recession proof work, JDog Junk Removal is ready to continue branching out nationwide as a franchising business. Jerry talks with Waste Advantage Magazine about the company, its origins, goals and where he plans on taking the company in the future.

 

What business were you in before forming JDog Junk Removal? I served in the U.S. Army from 1987 to 1989. I did basic training at Ft. Jackson, SC and then went on to Ft. Gordon, GA for Advanced Individual Training as a cable assembler and finished as a Distinguished Honor Graduate. I was later stationed at Ft. Stewart, GA and achieved the rank of E-4 Specialist. After the Army, I attended college and technical school on the GI bill.  Since leaving the army, I have held various management positions with increasing working responsibilities at retail companies selling seasonal recreational and leisure products.

 

Why did you decide to form the company JDog Junk Removal? Based in Berwyn, PA, I initially started JDog Junk Removal as a way to change careers from the retail to service industries and avoid the risks of a downturn in the economy that began in 2008. I wanted to create something that would be recession-proof and would allow me to transfer the work ethic and discipline I acquired in the Army. I chose the waste industry because of the ongoing demand and the high margins of the business model. There were only a few junk removal franchises at the time, so I felt there was an opportunity for fast growth. JDog Junk Removal was formed in 2011 and we began franchising to veterans in 2012.

 

How did you market the company when it first began? Was it successful immediately or did you have steady growth? We started by handing out fliers, placing door hangers and putting up lawn signs—classic guerilla marketing. I started marketing in my local area, reaching out to the residents, businesses and office complexes to build my business from the inside out. We went door-to-door to our local businesses and spread the word on our services and the fact we were a veteran-owned company. We were a hit with pent up demand right away. Customers loved our punctuality, the respect we had for them, and how we conducted ourselves in their homes. Our customers quickly began to spread the word about JDog to their family and friends.

 

What kind of challenges did/have you run into? The biggest challenge was doing everything myself. I took my time to understand as much as I could. I studied the junk removal model for about a year before I launched. It was difficult handling pickups, marketing, developing a new business plan, accounting and answering calls, etc. Another challenge was getting the word out, as it remains today, including how to get the right message out to the right people, whether they are customers or potential franchisees. As soon as I had my first thought about franchising, I started developing a training manual. I was convinced that I could make it really easy for someone else who might be interested in the business.

 

What areas do you currently serve? What type of services do you offer? JDog Junk Removal is currently located in six states: Pennsylvania, Michigan, Texas, Missouri, Florida and Tennessee. We offer full service junk removal, small deliveries, labor services, metal recycling, paper/ cardboard recycling and donation deliveries.

 

JDog is now planning on going nationwide with franchising, how did you reach that decision? I knew my veteran peers needed help and I knew my business could be expanded since it was highly profitable and would generate interest. I knew that junk removal was an underserved market and that using an exclusive veteran strategy could serve as a “secret sauce” to dominate this retail segment. When folks have a choice, they will always choose to support a veteran-owned business. After extensive research, given the business’ replicable model, I learned that franchising was the best growth engine to build the business nationally. I managed to demonstrate the validity of my thesis by selling six franchises myself, but I realized I needed help. So I set off on finding an experienced professional private equity partner, who could provide the capital and business management experience I needed to be successful. Our first franchise was sold to Louis Vaughn-Anvy, a veteran from Houston, Texas.

 

Why do you plan on keeping franchisees only in the military community? The simple answer is that it is a competitive differentiator—one that will enable us to dominate the junk removal business. We have demonstrated that we can provide veterans with a singular opportunity to build a business with meaningful equity and solid cash flow. That is good for veterans in way that no other business can provide. No one else has attempted to build an all-veteran brand. This strategy is a classic “success breeds success” story—the more veterans that join our movement, the greater the value of the entire enterprise.  And the veterans themselves are particularly drawn to an enterprise that is made up exclusively of others who share their military experience. Another reason is that there really is an urgent need among veterans to find a way to enjoy the benefits of making a comfortable living. Because of military downsizing, veterans are especially in need of work and career opportunities. The transition from military to civilian life is tough and competition is steep. Military veterans are successful franchisees because they are used to following structured systems and understand how to operate within teams. I want to support other veterans and provide them an environment that matches their work ethic and drive for success.

 

What are the requirements to become a franchisee of JDog Junk Removal? JDog Junk Removal is looking for active duty veterans transitioning back to the civilian world, veterans who want a career change, civilian contractors and military family members. We also look for franchisees who have a strong work ethic and operate well within a system.  They have to meet certain financial requirements that they can learn about on our Web site.

 

What are your next steps for the company? Ultimate goal/plans? We have established 3,000 territories around the U.S. and we’ll be very successful if we’re able to penetrate 20 percent of them. That will mean lots of jobs for lots of people. Ultimately, our goal is to leverage the JDog Military veteran exclusive model to enter other retail markets that we can dominate. However, for now, we’re focused on junk removal—it’s simple to operate, has low overhead and really profitable.

 

For more information contact Jerry Flanagan, CEO/Founder at (610) 547-2367 or visit www.jdogjunkremoval.com

 

 

Sponsor