How two Teen Brothers turned Junk into Gold.

In 2021, Kirk and Jacob McKinney, while only 17 and 15 years old respectively, started a successful junk removal company in Norwood, Massachusetts.

As a kid, Kirk was always fascinated by the junk disposal process. He would run and calmly settle at the dump site near the family home and for hours observe the process. It was at this dumpsite that the seeds of opportunity and entrepreneurship were planted in his young mind. His passion would over time also infect his younger brother Jacob.

Kirk and Jacob also grew up watching their parents Kimberly and Kirk McKinney proudly immerse themselves in blue-collar jobs. Kimberly and Kirk McKinney raised their children while giving their all as owners of McKinney Brothers Tree Service.

Ultimately, it is the inspiration of their parents and a passion for junk processing that led to business triumph.

This is a story of teenage business acumen and how two brothers through their spirited actions debunked the teenage stereotype of laziness.

Starting as a dump collector.

Kirk worked at a store in Norwood bagging groceries while also attending his high school. In his free time, he visited the dump site to collect any items that he could store at home and resell. But this endless collection of old stuff placed him at loggerheads with his father who always told him, ‘It is enough.’

When one day he sold a small radio from the dump site for $50, he immediately knew he could make money from this. This was his proof of concept. As days progressed his brother Jacob joined him in the collections. They sold so much stuff of different kinds that he made more money than he was earning at the grocery.

As a result, Kirk made the immediate decision to leave his grocery work and concentrate on junk collection.

Therefore, with the help of his 15-year-old brother and armed with $4,000 they saved from the grocery job; they bought an old beaten-up F150 Truck. Then with this old truck, the two brothers started moving around taking on any job they could find.

Junk Teens was born.

“Your Junk is Our Future.’

Under their slogan, ‘Your junk is our future’, Junk Teens did not discriminate against the jobs available. They did anything their young hands could do and their old truck could carry. They did junk removal, moving, tree work, clearing attics, cleaning new homes, name it.

They worked diligently and with the support of the local community achieved phenomenal success.

At the close of their first year in business they had made $120,000 in Revenue. This was the fruit of a ruthless focus that brought returns beyond their wildest dreams. They were now able to buy their first newer Truck.

In Year Two, operating with the old and the additional new truck, Revenue shot to $460,000.

All these two years, the boys reached their target market through word of mouth and referrals. Other small means of getting business were asking neighbors to share with others or to post on Next Door and Facebook.

Finally, they posted simple and inexpensive yard signs at junctions and places people frequented.

It was in Year 3 that the boys started full-scale investment in paid ads. They also added another truck, bought a warehouse, and expanded their team. And it came with impressive results.

At the end of year 3, they posted a whopping $910,000 in revenue.

And they keep going.

Range of Services Now Offered by Junk Teens

Thankfully, the vision of the teenagers lives on and company continues to grow in leaps and bounds. Revenue streams have also diversified. An idea that began with the collection of priced stuff and junk removal has given birth to a wide range of services;

1. Removal and Disposal of Household Items.

Includes mattresses, box springs, toys, furniture, electronics, trash bags, and all household items.

2. Construction Debris.

Collects contractor bags, roof shingles, dry walls, scrap metal, scrap wood, and insulation among other construction debris.

3. Structure Removal

Work on retaining walls, treehouses, swing sets, fences, sheds, and decks among others.

4. Appliances

Washers, Dryers, Refrigerators etc.

5. Brush/Yard Waste.

Brush piles, leaf bags, and firewood.

6. Rocks/Rubble

Retaining walls, bricks, concrete, rock dirt, pavers, and dirt.

7. Demolition

Demolish structures like buildings among others.

8. Bagster pickup

9. Miscellaneous

Basketball hoops, gym equipment, trampolines etc.

Other services they offer include clean-outs, for example, hoarder cleanouts, estate cleanouts, storage units, and apartments. They also clean Attics, foreclosure cleanouts, and garage cleanouts.

Additionally, they do carpet removal, donation pickups, spring cleaning, dumpster rentals, and emergency junk removal.

Area of operation

Junk Teens company, which started in their neighborhood, now boasts a commanding presence in 40 towns and counting.

Useful stuff the boys find in their work they donate to charity and resellers.

Kirk is now venturing into full-time content creation while Jacob takes the day-to-day operation of Junk Teens. This will bring even more success to the company, which even in its fourth year has performed beyond expectations.

Lessons in Life and Business from the two brothers and Junk Teens Company.                      

• Great wealth exists in Blue Collar jobs that most young people shy away from.
• Start with what you have. Do not wait. Procrastination is a thief of time. And money.
• Evidently, there is no right age to start a great idea or build your dreams. Start where you are with what you have.
• People near you, your local community, is your first market. It is your neighbors who will help propel you to greatness. Live well with people.
• Re-invest back in the business in the formative stages to grow it as the boys are doing each successive year.
• That which can change your life is right under your nose if you can identify it.

Conclusion on How Two Teen Brothers Turned Junk into Gold.

In conclusion, the story of Kirk and Jacob McKinney teaches the potential for innovation and entrepreneurship even in very unlikely circumstances. The boys, through resourcefulness, creativity, and hard work transformed discarded materials into a means of livelihood.

Most importantly, a lesson exists here in looking beyond conventional boundaries, harnessing our ingenuity, and embracing possibilities.

The teens have proved there is no age or time to start and build a great idea. The boys went all in while in high school and continue to make their mark even as they continue with their education.

There should be no excuse for failing to take the first step. There is so much you can do.

Just look around you.

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