My farewell to 123JUNK

During these unprecedented times, we take our role as an essential service provider seriously and we remain open to service our customers. We understand that everyone is very concerned with the potential spread of the Coronavirus. We’re following the guidelines put in place by the federal government, local governments and the CDC.

Below are some of the safety precautions we’ve implemented to protect our team and our clients:

We’re offering discounts for our customers who are able to stage their items outside of their property for pickup
We’re vetting our customers before scheduling appointments and while en-route to make sure they’re not showing signs and symptoms of illness
If the customer has access to masks or face covers, we ask that they wear them (if masks are unavailable, please maintain a safe distance of 6 feet at all times)
We are sending home any staff member exhibiting any symptoms of illness for the recommended period of time established by the CDC
All team members have been assigned masks and gloves
We are not assigning more than two team members to a truck
Our trucks and equipment are being disinfected daily
We’ve shut down our office from outside visitors and anybody who can work virtually is being encouraged to work from home
The company continues to hold regular team-wide virtual meetings to emphasize transparency and keep the lines of communication open
The decision to come to work remains 100% voluntary

Today I hung up my junk shirt for the last time. I began working at 123JUNK two years ago, fresth out of college, working on the trucks as a foreman. To be completely honest, when I started I thought it was going to be a summer job to make a few extra bucks while I figured out what I wanted to do for a “career.” Little did I know, I would learn more as a “Junk Man” than I ever could in a classroom.

Over time I worked my way up the ranks at 123JUNK, jumping on any opportunity the company would give me. I absorbed everything I possibly could from my colleagues to learn how a small business operates, and what it means to be a true business professional. Eventually I worked my way into a role doing business development for the company. I gained numerous skills – how to carry myself professionally, how to speak publicly, how to network effectively, how to create marketing strategies, how to provide quality customer service, how to treat your fellow employees, and how to manage my time (just to mention a few!). These are real world skills they don’t teach you in college. These are skills I will take wherever my journey in life leads me, and for that I will be forever grateful.

As I drove away from the office this morning and saw the bright red trucks in my rearview mirror, I was definitely a little saddened. Although I will miss the quality people I had the privilege of working with day to day, I’m sure I’ll still be seeing those bright red trucks on the road all the time. As long as 123JUNK continues to conduct business the way they taught me, the company will continue to grow and be successful – not to mention be a great place to work!