Brian Scudamore - The Ingenious Junk Junkie

Welcome to the launch of the first edition of our e-cast. Today, we are honored and excited to welcome Brian Scudamore, Founder & CEO of 1-800-GOT- JUNK? - the world’s largest junk removal service and spreading across three continents.

Brian and his team’s success stories have been widely covered by CNN, Profit Magazine, CBS, Fast Company, the WSJ and many more major publications worldwide

Welcome Brian,

KTY: It is a pleasure to have you as our guest today. As a proven smart leader who has successfully grown an idea into a thriving business, what do you think are the secret ingredients that propel companies towards success?

Brian: I have found the most important element in reaching success is to develop a clear company vision and never stray from it. Even when people doubted my vision and what I was building, I have always maintained focus.

I also learned to never compromise on the people you hire. It is essential to build a team who are in line with your vision and who are passionate about what you are building.

KTY: In your mind, who are the “best in class” companies…that is, which small companies on the rise, the “diamonds in the rough” so to speak, have inspired or impressed you with their ingenuity and smart thinking…and why? What did these “diamonds in the rough” do to come out shining?

Brian: Nurse Next Door -  This company has a clear vision about who they are and where they want to grow.

Dekora  - This is an up and coming home staging company. They are focused and especially keen at knowing their niche market and realize the importance of building a brand.

Survivor Bootcamp - This company is very skilled at getting the word out with low cost marketing techniques.

KTY: What has been your proudest moment at 1-800-Got Junk?
 
Brian: Every year Watson and Wyatt and BC Business Magazine names the Best Company to work for in BC. In 2004 and 2005 we ranked as number 1 and this year we ranked number 2. It is unprecedented for a company to rank so highly for three consecutive years. To have built a company where people are proud and excited to come to come to work everyday is my proudest accomplishment.
 
KTY: Being a proven, successful leader, how do you stay #1? How do you remain driven to keep seeking new ideas and not become complacent?
                                   
Brian: I have always looked to mentors for guidance. I think it is extremely important to continuously learn and grow and to maintain relationships with individuals who are masters at what they do. These are people who I can count on for inspiration and advice. 

I also rely on my team for inspiration. We have an entire wall that we have labeled the “Can You Imagine Wall”. It is a place where everyone is encouraged to write their creative dreams for 1-800-GOT-JUNK?

Lindsay Peroff, one of our PR managers imagined us on the Dr. Phil Show, and wrote her dream on the wall; we have now been featured four times. Andrea Baxter, our Marketing Manager dreamed of having a 1-800-GOT-JUNK? quote on the Starbucks cups as part of the “Can you imagine Campaign” That too became a reality and millions of Starbucks cups throughout North America read:
 
“It’s difficult for people to get rid of junk. They get attached to things and let them define who they are. If there is one thing I’ve learned in this business, its that you are what you can’t let go of.” Brian Scudamore – 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
 
When surrounded by passion and creativity it is difficult to become complacent.
 
KTY: Do you ever get tired of trying to stay on top, and what do you do to keep you and the team motivated?
           
Brian: I love this business and I always will, it is my passion to keep us at the top and to build 1-800-GOT-JUNK? into a globally admired brand. I know that to continue to grow, it is important to inspire and value my team.

We have strong, self motivated people and we make every effort to encourage them on a person and professional level.  Some of the unique perks we offer staff include:

•        A Profit Sharing Program that pays out up to 25% of the years profits.  This means that our team receives an additional 10- 12 percent of their salary in profit share.

•        More vacation time that provides 3 weeks personal paid leave to new employees and a year 5 weeks personal paid leave to people who have been with us over a year.

•        We support people on a personal level by having all employees create a 101 goals list and then working with them to support them and accomplish these goals
 
KTY: Very impressive and forward thinking! Is there a next level of success for 1-800-Got Junk…what would get you to the next level?
 
Brian: We are continuously working to build a globally admired brand.  We have the right systems in place and right the people on board, our goal now is to increase brand awareness and grow and strengthen our brand internationally.

KTY:  If you could create an imaginary advisory board made of people with wise wisdom to share from eons past and those currently alive and active today to guide promising companies on the rise, who would you name to this board, and why?

Brian:

1. Fred Smith - Fed Ex
2. Fred DeLuca - Subway
3. Seth Godin - Author of the Purple Cow
4. Rita Bailey - (former) VP People Southwest Airlines
5. Greg Brophy - Shred it

These people are all experts in their field and have created brands and companies that I respect and admire.

KTY: Those of us who’ve followed your success story have been privy to some of the great, practical advice you’ve shared in the past. Would you care to share some of your favorite and best advice with our audience today?

Brian: It takes time to build a business. It took me 8 years to get to our first million in sales. 7 years later we are now doing almost $1M per week!

Everyone wants to get rich quick. I learned that one factor non-negotiable in building a business is time. It simply takes time to figure your model out, build the team, and market your company.

KTY: Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us today.  We wish you much continued success as you continue to conquer the world.