If one look at the name Junk Junk Baby leaves you humming Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” for the next hour, you wouldn’t be alone. In fact, you’d be doing just what founder Eric Myers had hoped you would. By Tamara Rahoumi
If one look at the name Junk Junk Baby leaves you humming Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” for the next hour, you wouldn’t be alone. In fact, you’d be doing just what founder Eric Myers had hoped you would.
“I wanted something fun and sticky,” said Myers. “It’s corny, but people love it. They sing the song, and it gets in their head. People tell us all the time that when they Google a junk-removal company, most of them pick us because of our name.”
Myers started Junk Junk Baby in 2011, at a time in his life when he was looking for more purpose from his job. After working for years in corporate sales and feeling little connection to the work he was doing, Myers decided to quit and try his hand at something new. Armed with a single truck and plenty of drive (no pun intended), Myers launched a professional hauling operation that started with favors and free jobs but quickly scaled into larger-scale moves and hauls.
Now, as Myers takes the next step to scale Junk Junk Baby, he’s committed to building a system that sets franchisees up for success, by offering extensive in-person training at the start of the franchise journey and continuing to give new franchisees around-the-clock support while they find their footing. Beyond strong training and support, one of the biggest draws of a Junk Junk Baby franchise is the flexibility and peace of mind, whether it’s the adaptable startup process (that is, new franchisees can lease their own truck or purchase a used vehicle), the low staffing requirements, or the stable, high-return business model.
Another big benefit for potential franchisees is the intrigue and variation that comes with working in the hauling business. As Myers put it, no two days are the same, and every job comes with an opportunity to find interesting items. “It’s almost like we’re out here treasure-hunting,” said Myers. Dedicated to giving back to the community, Junk Junk Baby donates as many items as possible and recycles the remaining scrap metal. Not only is this practice environmentally friendly, but it also offers an additional revenue stream for franchisees.
Above all, though, Myers believes that perhaps the most rewarding part of operating a Junk Junk Baby business is helping people in a transitional, often stressful, place in their lives. For him, Junk Junk Baby’s clients are heroes who have made a difficult decision to part with items that are a part of their history, and it’s his team’s responsibility to respect that step and celebrate that accomplishment.
“I’ve always said that when we do a new job, we start with a handshake and end with a hug, because in that 20 minutes, half-hour or however long you’re there, it’s an emotional experience,” said Myers. “But that’s part of where the purpose comes from. We’re in the business of life changes, from the good to the bad. As true as there are changes in life’s patterns, there’s going to be junk. It’s just what happens.”
Junk Junk Baby franchise opportunities are available in a wide range of territories across the U.S., including hot markets in New England, New York, and New Jersey. Myers is focused on offering the most hands-on support to new franchise owners, as well as ensuring that Junk Junk Baby is scaling responsibly while setting a strong foundation for years to come.
Tamara Rahoumi
Contact: junkjunkbaby.com, Eric Myers: junkjunkbaby@icloud.com, Franchise@junkjunkbaby.com