Category: Blog


Junk’N Stuff Blog

three men moving large object into work moving truck

Virginia Estate Cleanouts: How a Junk Removal Company Can Help

Posted on | by Jared Tangir

Virginia estate cleanouts are more than just a weekend chore; they’re a complex undertaking that can quickly become overwhelming. That’s where a professional junk removal company turns a monumental task into a manageable project. 

Intrigued about how they make it look so easy? 

Read on to uncover the secrets behind a stress-free estate cleanout and why you shouldn’t tackle it alone.

 

Why Virginia Estate Cleanouts Are Challenging

Estate cleanouts are never a walk in the park, and when you’re dealing with one in Virginia, you’re up against a unique set of challenges. From the emotional toll to logistical nightmares, let’s break down why this task can be so daunting.

 

The Emotional Toll of Sorting Through Belongings

One of the most underestimated challenges in estate cleanouts is the emotional toll it takes on everyone involved. Let’s delve into some of the emotional hurdles you might encounter:

  • Personal Attachments: Going through a lifetime of memories isn’t just time-consuming; it’s emotionally draining. Each item can represent a different chapter of life, making it hard to decide what stays and what goes.
  • Family Dynamics: Often, multiple family members are involved in the painful cleanout process, each with their own emotional ties and opinions about what should be done with various items.
  • Decision Fatigue: The constant need to make decisions can lead to emotional exhaustion, affecting your judgment as the process drags on.

 

Time-Consuming Nature of the Process

If you think estate cleanouts can be wrapped up in a weekend, think again. Here are some reasons why this task is far more time-consuming than you might expect:

  • Volume of Items: The sheer amount of belongings to sort through can be overwhelming, requiring days or weeks to address fully.
  • Organization: Properly categorizing items for keeping, donating, or disposing takes meticulous planning and execution.
  • Cleaning: Beyond sorting, there’s the actual property cleaning, which can be a massive undertaking.

 

Legal Requirements and Deadlines

Navigating the legal maze is another aspect that can’t be ignored. Here are some legal factors that add complexity to estate cleanouts:

  • Probate Laws: Virginia has specific probate laws that dictate the timeline and procedures for estate cleanouts.
  • Inventory Submission: A detailed inventory of the estate’s assets must be submitted to the court within a specific timeframe.
  • Debt Settlement: Legal obligations to settle any debts or claims against the estate can add another layer of complexity.

 

Logistical Issues (Transportation, Disposal, etc.)

Last but not least, let’s talk logistics. The following points highlight why logistical planning is a critical component of estate cleanouts:

  • Transportation: Moving large items or a significant volume of belongings requires proper transportation, often involving multiple trips or specialized vehicles.
  • Disposal: Not everything can be thrown away; some items require special disposal methods, especially hazardous materials.
  • Storage: Temporary storage may be needed for items to be kept but can’t immediately be moved to a new location.

 

Benefits of Hiring a Junk Removal Company for Estate Cleanouts

After understanding the complexities and challenges involved in Virginia estate cleanouts, it’s clear this is not a task to be tackled single-handedly. This is where the expertise of a professional junk removal company comes into play. Let’s delve into the benefits of enlisting professional help for your estate cleanout needs.

 

Professional Expertise in Handling Items

One of the standout advantages of hiring a junk removal company  is the level of professional expertise they bring to the table. Here’s what sets them apart:

  • Specialized Equipment: Whether it’s bulky furniture or fragile antiques, specialized equipment ensures safe and efficient handling.
  • Trained Staff: A professional team knows the ins and outs of sorting, packing, and transporting various types of items.
  • Inventory Management: Many companies offer inventory services, helping you keep track of valuable or sentimental items.

 

Speed and Efficiency

If time is of the essence—and it often is in estate cleanouts—a junk removal company can be a game-changer. Here’s how they excel in speed and efficiency:

  • Streamlined Processes: Years of experience enable these companies to operate with a level of efficiency that’s hard to match.
  • Immediate Availability: With same-day or next-day service options, tight deadlines become far more manageable.
  • Bulk Removal: The capability to handle large volumes of items at once significantly accelerates the cleanout process.

 

Eco-Friendly Disposal and Recycling

  • Recycling Programs: Partnerships with recycling centers ensure recyclable items are properly processed.
  • Donation Services: Items in good condition are often donated, giving them a second life and reducing waste.
  • Hazardous Waste Management: Specialized procedures are in place for the safe and legal disposal of hazardous materials.

 

Take the Stress Out of Your Virginia Estate Cleanout –– Contact 123JUNK Today

With the professional help of junk hauling experts in Virginia, you can turn estate cleanouts in Virginia into a manageable project. The benefits are numerous, from the expertise in handling various types of items to eco-friendly disposal methods. 

So, take the first step towards a hassle-free experience by contacting 123JUNK today –– your peace of mind is just a call or click away.

spring-yard-cleanup-mowing

The Essentials for Spring Yard Cleanup

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

Now that the weather is beautiful, your family will be spending more time outdoors and want to have a beautiful environment to enjoy. That means spring yard cleanup! To make this chore easier, we’ll explore in this post the tools and techniques you’ll need to get the job done.

Basic Tasks for Spring Yard Cleanup

You likely haven’t touched the yard in several months, as winter wreaked its storms and cold air, so now there are tasks to do to get your yard ready. They include:

  • Raking leaves and removing debris such as leaves, twigs, and other debris accumulated during fall and winter months. This will help prepare your lawn for new growth.
  • Pruning trees and shrubs. Prune dead branches from trees and shrubs, but wait until after flowering trees and shrubs are done blooming to trim them as not to disturb their showy array.
  • Clearing out flower beds to remove dead plants and flowers, and add new soil or compost to prepare for new plantings.
  • Aerating the soil, fertilizing and mowing the lawn to promote healthy grass growth.
  • Laying seed or sod to fill in bare spots in the lawn.
  • Spreading mulch around trees and shrubs to retain moisture and suppress weeds
  • Weed and pest control.
  • Fertilizing with a slow-release fertilizer to give your lawn the nutrients it needs to grow strong and healthy.

10 Essential Tools for Yard Work

It’s always easier to perform a task when you have the right tools on hand. Here are the basic pieces of equipment you’ll should keep on hand for your yard maintenance.

  1. A good quality rake for removing twigs, leaves and other debris.
  2. Pruning shears or loppers for pruning dead or damaged branches from trees and shrubs.
  3. Garden gloves to protect your hands from thorns, prickly plants and other yard hazards.
  4. A wheelbarrow to transport soil, debris and other materials around the yard.
  5. A sturdy shovel for digging and moving soil and mulch.
  6. A lawn mower to keep grass well groomed.
  7. An edger to achieve a neat and professional-looking edge around your lawn and garden beds.
  8. A leaf blower or vacuum to remove leaves and debris from hard-to-reach areas.
  9. A hedge trimmer to maintain shape and control growth on shrubbery.
  10. Safety equipment such as safety glasses and ear protection to wear when using power tools.

Related: How to Tune Up Your Lawn Mower

When is it Time to Get New Yard Equipment?

Knowing when to replace your yard equipment depends on your individual needs and circumstances, but usually there are signs that it may be time to make the investment. Some things to look for include:

  • If your equipment is older than 10 years and shows signs of wear and tear.
  • If you are making frequent repairs, or your equipment has become unreliable, it may be more cost-effective to replace it.
  • For maximum efficiency, like if your mower is struggling to cut the grass evenly, it may be time to consider a newer model.
  • If your equipment is no longer safe to use, or is missing safety features, replace it.
  • Environmental considerations. Older gas-powered equipment can be replaced with newer, more environmentally-friendly models that are more efficient and produce fewer emissions.

What to Do With Your Old Lawn Equipment and Yard Debris During Spring Yard Cleanup: Call 123JUNK

So that leaves the question on what to do with your old lawn equipment and the yard debris that you’ve collected during your spring yard cleanup.

The easiest answer, if you live in Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C. or the Maryland suburbs, is to contact 123JUNK. As a junk removal company, 123JUNK can pick up your old equipment and lawn debris and dispose of it in a safe and environmentally-responsible way. We provide:

  • Free estimates and transparent pricing.
  • Easy pickup from your home or business at a time convenient to you.
  • Responsible disposal in accordance with local regulations and guidelines.
  • Donation and recycling to a local charity or the appropriate recycling center.
  • Professional service and experience with all types of lawn care equipment, including lawn mowers, trimmers, chainsaws and more.

There’s no need to sort through items for recycling, or haul away bulky items on your own. With 123JUNK, you’ll save time and effort by letting us handle removal for you, thus allowing you to focus on more exciting things—like lying in your hammock.

For to schedule your lawn debris and junk hauling appointment, contact 123JUNK today.

Meet Nate Price, Fleet Operations Manager

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

We have yet another fabulous team member to introduce you to here at 123JUNK: Nate Price! Read on to meet Nate.

“Live life to the fullest because tomorrow is never promised.”

What is your role at 123JUNK?

As the Fleet Operations Manager (FOM), I am in charge of the operations side and the direct supervisor for the 123JUNK fleet team—the operators and navigators on the trucks. My role is to ensure that they are not only properly doing their jobs, but they have all the tools needed or required to do the job to the best of their abilities.

Tell us about your journey so far at 123JUNK

I started here on April 4, 2023 and what I’ve noticed so far is the team’s family atmosphere. All the guys watch each other’s backs, joke around and align with each other. It’s a nice, relaxing atmosphere. They know the work is dirty and not necessarily easy, but they find a way to make this line of work enjoyable. I honestly enjoying coming to work every day to see and talk with them and hear how their days are going. I have to add too, that even though he’s busy, Collin, the owner, sets aside the time to show me the things I need to know to fill this role.

What did you do before working at 123JUNK?

I grew up in the small town of Cortland, Ohio and joined the Marine Corps when I was 20. I served four years and once I got out, I worked at PAM Transport Inc. in North Jackson, Ohio as a Driver Manager until I met my now-fiancée. We did long-distance dating for about a year, then I moved here.

How did you discover 123JUNK?

I wanted to find a job before I moved here and was looking on Indeed and happened to come across the 123JUNK job listing. After doing a little research on the company and seeing the great reviews from customers and current and former employees about the company and Collin, it was a no-brainer. This is the company I wanted to work for.

Have you learned any important lessons while working here?

I learned not to overlook the team mentality. If you don’t know something, there are others around that you can ask, and they are more than willing to help in any way they can. For example, one of our trucks leads has worked here for almost 10 years and knows a lot about the business from the operations side. At any point, I can ask him for assistance. The teams on the trucks are always willing to help each other too, whether it’s lifting heavy items, transporting them, or loading the truck.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I enjoy watching cooking shows with my fiancée. And we are both avid Steelers fans. If we’re not watching their game on TV, we will go to Pittsburgh to see them in person. We met on a Steelers memorabilia Facebook group and bonded due to our deep passion for the Steelers. I also enjoy playing video games.

What’s a fun fact about you?

I’m a closet nerd. I love Star Wars and playing Dungeons and Dragons.

What advice would you give a new person just joining 123JUNK?

Work hard and don’t be afraid to ask questions. And always make sure you keep the company’s core values in your heart: Culture of Excellence, Environmental Stewardship and Deep Community Ties.

What would you tell someone who may be interested in working here?

It’s hard work, but it is fulfilling work being able to help out the community. Come in with an open mind and be ready to work. At the end of every day you will have a true feeling of accomplishment knowing you did your best throughout the day and helped someone who needed it.

We Love our Team!!

We’re so glad that Nate Price has joined the 123JUNK team and that you’ve had the opportunity to learn a little more about him.

If you’d like to join the 123JUNK family, visit our Job Openings.

Or to schedule your junk hauling in Northern Virginia, Maryland or Washington DC, contact 123JUNK at 1-800-364-5778. A live representative will be glad to speak with you and set your appointment.

Earth Week

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

Earth Week is a global event celebrated annually from April 16th to the 22nd to help raise awareness about environmental issues and promote actions that would protect our planet.

During Earth Week, various events and activities take place, such as community cleanups, tree planting, educational campaigns and sustainable living initiatives. Organizations, schools and individuals can participate by organizing events, activities and programs to promote environmental awareness and encourage people to take action. Activities in the past have included environmental film festivals, eco-friendly art shows and environmentally-themed concerts, along with speakers, recycling drives and fairs showcasing sustainable products and services.

Earth Week was first observed in the United States in 1970 as a response to growing concerns about environmental issues such as pollution, loss of wilderness and wildlife extinction. It was proposed by Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin who wanted to create a national teach-in on the environment. An estimated 20 million people participated in the rallies, marches and demonstrations that took place in cities across the US.

Today, Earth Week is a worldwide event offering an opportunity for individuals, communities and organizations to come together to learn about environmental issues take action to protect our planet, and advocate for policies that promote sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Earth Week and Earth Day are not the same, but are related. Earth Day is specifically celebrated annually on April 22nd. Earth Week, on the other hand, is a week-long event that takes place leading up to Earth Day.

How Can I Commemorate Earth Week?

There are a number of ways you, or your business or organization, can promote Earth Week and environmental awareness:

  • Organize a community cleanup to clear the local parks, beaches and streets of litter and debris.
  • Create a neighborhood recycling event where items homeowners no longer use or want can be picked up by a junk removal company like 123JUNK and either delivered to local charity partners or taken to area recycling centers.
  • Promote sustainable practices at work or home, like recycling, reducing waste and conserving resources like energy and water.
  • Support environmental organizations through donations or volunteer time.
  • Host an educational event, film screening or interactive workshop to raise awareness or teach skills about sustainable practices and environmental awareness.
  • Partner with organizations to create a larger impact.

Related blog post: Earth Day

What Can I Do Personally to Help Keep Items out of Landfills?

You can help reduce environmental pollution and conserve resources by:

  • Reducing waste you generate. Choose products with minimal packaging, buy in bulk and avoid single-use items.
  • Reusing items. Before you throw things away, consider whether they can be reused. Reuse containers for storage, old clothing for cleaning rags or scrap paper for crafts or notes.
  • Recycling. Learn what can and cannot be recycled in your area and properly sort them.
  • Composting. Instead of throwing away food scraps and yard waste, compost them instead to create a nutrient-rich soil amendment that you can use to fertilize your garden and lawn.
  • Donating or selling items. If items are in good condition, donate them to charity (123JUNK will pick them up!) or sell them online.

123JUNK Helps Your Earth Week Initiatives Locally

Keeping items out of landfill is our number one priority at 123JUNK and we are glad to help you, your company or your organization with your Earth Week initiatives. With our 1-2-3 Process of Donate-Recycle-Dispose we’ll pick up or look for items that can be donated to our charity partners. We’ll pull out items that cannot be repurposed but do contain recyclable materials and take them directly to the appropriate recycling centers. As a final resort, we’ll take what’s left over to the landfill.

123JUNK is a locally-founded and operated, environmentally-friendly junk removal company. As such, we care greatly about the communities in which we, ourselves live. Contact 123JUNK today and let us help you with your Earth Week junk removal and recycling event.

get-rid-of-sentimental-clutter

How Do I Get Rid of Sentimental Clutter?

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

Feeling sentimental about objects is real. There are many emotions surrounding them because they often hold personal memories and meaningful connections to people, places and events. When you try to let go of these items, you may feel an intense sense of loss, guilt or even grief—you are essentially releasing a part of your history. Unfortunately, without being able to cull items from your home, they can accumulate and create a cluttered situation. But with so much involved, how do you get rid of this sentimental clutter?

What is Sentimental Clutter?

Sentimental clutter refers to items that hold a special meaning or emotional connection. An item becomes sentimental when related to personal memories, experiences or significant events in your life. They bring back positive memories that makes them difficult to part with, even if they no longer serve a practical purpose in your life.

Over time, the accumulation of sentimental clutter can lead to disorganized and overwhelming living areas, making it difficult to find storage for them or navigate around them, and taking up valuable space. Your environment is no longer relaxing.

Some examples can include:

  • Childhood toys or games
  • Family heirlooms
  • Pictures and photo albums
  • Letters, cards and notes from loved ones
  • Mementos from travel and vacations
  • Arts and crafts made by children
  • Wedding and engagement rings
  • Clothing and accessories from special events
  • Awards and certificates

What Should I Keep?

The decision on what to keep depends on your personal preferences and the item’s emotional significance. Here are some guidelines on what to keep:

  • Items that bring you joy and have a strong emotional connection
  • Items with practical value like jewelry you wear regularly
  • Items with sentimental value to others such a gift from a loved one
  • Items with historical significance like old family photographs or letters that may be of interest to future generations

How to Remember Sentimental Items

It’s not necessarily the item itself, but the memories you want to preserve. To remember sentimental items you don’t want to keep, and hold on to them in different ways, try these ideas:

  • Take photographs before disposing of the items
  • Write a journal entry of your memories and associated thoughts, and make the journal the keepsake
  • Create a memory box for small items
  • Keep a digital record with scans or important documents or digital photographs
  • Share you stories with loved ones to keep the legacy alive
  • Repurpose items by turning them into something new, like making a quilt from old clothes or a piece of jewelry from broken pieces.

How Do I Get Rid of Sentimental Clutter?

What’s important is to evaluate the sentimental value of each item, and only keep those that hold real significance and bring joy. To help eliminate items, try these steps:

  • Separate items into categories such as sentimental value, practical value and emotional value.
  • Ask yourself if the item still holds sentimental value and brings joy to your life. If not, let it go.
  • Choose a course of action. Decide what you will do with each item: keep it, donate it, or toss it. Create bins for each category and place each item in its appropriate bin.
  • Store or display. For items you decide to keep, create dedicated storage or display areas to preserve them property and protect them from damage
  • Let go. Once you’ve made your decision to donate or toss, take action to let them go.

Related: 13 Tips on How to Get Rid of Sentimental Clutter Without Feeling Guilty

A Junk Removal Company like 123JUNK Can Help You Release Sentimental Clutter

A junk removal company like 123JUNK provides a convenient and efficient solution for disposing of items you no longer need or want. Their services include:

  • Pick up/removal. Your junk removal company will come to your home and remove the items, saving you the time and energy of having to dispose of them yourself.
  • Respectful handling. At 123JUNK, we train our team members on courtesy and respect. They understand that getting rid of sentimental clutter is stressful, and that there are a lot of emotions involved. They know how to handle your objects carefully and respectfully to reduce the stress and emotional burden of letting them go.
  • Junk removal companies like 123JUNK also have a donation component, where perfectly-good items are delivered to local charity partners to be repurposed back into the community, or used to raise funds for charitable causes.
  • Based on an items suitability and usability, some items may be better off being recycled than donated or taken to the local landfill.
  • Peace of mind. Your junk removal service takes care of the entire process to ensure that your sentimental clutter is disposed of properly and ethically.

What’s most important is to be kind to yourself. Understand that handling sentimental items is emotional, but not disabling. Give yourself permission to let go of items that no longer serve a purpose in your life, and don’t feel guilty.

123JUNK: The First Choice for Junk Removal in NoVa, MD and DC

If your home is located in Northern Virginia, Maryland or Washington DC, contact 123JUNK. You’ll love the fact that you talk with a live person when you call, and that all our team members are trained to be courteous and respectful. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

When you call, learn about our 1-2-3 process of Donate-Recycle-Dispose, and our flat fee, all-inclusive pricing. Call us today at 1-800-364-5778 to schedule your junk removal pickup.

123JUNK-PG101-professional-development

To Grow Your Company, Develop Your Team!

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

Our goal at 123JUNK is to be more than the top junk removal company—it’s to be the preeminent service organization in our region. Our first company value – “culture of excellence” – drives us to becoming the quality-of-service standard to which other businesses aspire. To get there, we believe in providing our team members with personal and professional growth opportunities.

We train our team to look beyond comparing our performance to other junk hauling companies. Our customers are comparing us to every other service provider that comes into their homes—plumbers, electricians, and more. Homeowners make judgments every day about how they are treated by a service organization. They know what they expect, and they can be delighted or disappointed by either the service or the service technician—or both!

We’ve earned all our five-star reviews and loyal referral partners because we’ve helped our team think beyond the task—to be more conscious of how we are presenting ourselves and to constantly improve.

Our Most Important Customer: Our Employees

We are so grateful for all the loyal customers we have serviced throughout the years, and for all our referral partners who know our quality and refer us without hesitation. We understand that to achieve this level of success, we need a happy, loyal, and talented workforce. This why Mallard Owen, Chief Operating Office, often states that “123JUNK’s most important customers are its employees.” And this is where we try to excel by investing in the growth of our team members. We take time when we hire, as we look for enthusiasm, drive, and, most importantly, a desire to learn and grow. Even interviews for our fleet team include “auditions”—working interviews where candidates can experience first-hand the quality we strive to achieve in all our jobs.

“Our culture is one of a learning organization. We want to give our team members something beyond the technical training aspect of their work; something that would help them become better contributors no matter where they work,” said Owen. It’s why he started the company’s “JUNK-U,” the internal brand under which employee training and development programs fall.

Related: 5 Reasons to Invest in Employee Development Now

PG101: Professional Growth

The first formal program that Owen developed for JUNK-U was a course called Professional Growth 101 (PG101). In this program, employees go on a journey of self-discovery and focused improvement. They learn more about who they are, their strengths, and personal accountability. From these insights, they explore ways to perform better, strengthen their personal brand, and bring even better value to any employer.

PG101 is voluntary and runs once per week for 12 sessions. To ensure the full and focused commitment of participants, enrollment begins with three documents: 1) a syllabus and overview of the course goals and participant expectations, 2) a code of conduct—how participants are expected to engage and interact within the program, and 3) a review and acknowledgement of key components to being a trusted employee.

“We pay attention to our team members, give them insights on how to reflect on their work, and provide them with a broader perspective on how people view them in terms of their brand/performance,” Owen said. “After one team member took our PG101 course, he realized how much he didn’t think about how his performance could affect or influence others, or how his behavior might cause a certain reaction in someone else.”

The group is small, with usually fewer than 6 team members. Participants are encouraged to grow by looking at their current performance/behaviors, and then deciding what they need to adjust to get to the next level. Between each session, they commit to working on a specific growth area, and then report back to the group on their progress. They learn to open up about what they are working on, not only with fellow PG101 participants, but also with other colleagues with whom they work on a daily basis, recruiting them to help assist with their improvement. They learn from and support each other, and listen to concerns or stories an individual might have. The learnings come as much from their stories and feedback from other participants as it is about “book learning.”

“When you realize that what you do will have an impact on and potentially change the mindset and behaviors of people around you, you can have a major impact on their lives and the success of the company,” Owen described. “How do you make that sustainable within the company? You just continue to develop the team. Their new and improved behaviors will take hold and spread within the organization—and more good things will happen.”

“What surprised me were the ripple effects of the program. The content is so valuable that it has impacted the lives of employees outside of the workplace. In addition, we’ve brought elements of the PG101 curriculum into other aspects of our organization, like our interview process, employee onboarding, and corporate retreats. It helps reinforce the lessons learned.”

The collaboration among the team members has also grown since the program’s inception, with everyone jumping in to help others with their work and their attitude. This raises the whole team, and impacts how we can accommodate our clients and provide exceptional service. “We have a great brand, and we try to reinforce the concept that when you are conscientious about helping others, they’re appreciative—whether it’s another team member where you jumped in to help, or a client struggling with disposal of a loved one’s estate,” Owen said.

Experience the 123JUNK Difference Yourself

123JUNK is on the path to becoming the leading junk removal company in Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC because of our commitment to personal and professional growth. We’re a local company that is investing in its team and its community so that you can count on a wonderful experience, from your first phone call with a live representative to a friendly and responsible junk pickup. (Read Our Story.)

We invite you to experience the 123JUNK difference yourself. Contact us at 1-800-364-5778 to inquire about pricing, set your pickup appointment, or join our team!

Meet Nick Williams, Truck Lead and Customer Success Representative

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

We are pleased to introduce you to Nick Williams, another fantastic team member here at 123JUNK.  Learn a little about Nick and follow his journey.

“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”  –Henry Ford

What is your role at 123JUNK?

During the work week I am mainly a truck lead, and on weekends I am a Customer Success Representative. I’m three days on the truck and two days in the office. As a truck lead, I am the spokesperson for the company when we meet with a client. I interact with the clients, keep things moving, and make sure the job gets done properly. On the weekends, I answer phones, make calls, and make sure every client has as great an experience as they can—even if they aren’t calling for a job.

What has your journey at 123JUNK been?

When I first started at 123JUNK I was a navigator. I sat in the passenger seat and followed instructions for the first couple of months. But I wanted to become a lead, and the company helped me progress. I became a lead pretty quickly after joining, then was given the opportunity to become a Customer Success Representative.

When did you start working there?

I started in July 2021, so it’s been over a year now.

What did you do before working at 123JUNK?

I worked at a moving company for a couple of years. I was a mover for a while, and then became a lead over there as well to make sure jobs went well. Working for a moving company prepared me for this job. Compared to working for the mover, which was more physically demanding, this seems like a cakewalk! My whole career so far has been in customer service in one way or another.

How did you hear about 123JUNK?

My mother is a Realtor locally. She had a couple of good experiences with the company, and told me about them.

Tell us about your background.

I was born in Fairfax, Virginia and lived here my whole life. I went to Chantilly High School, then Northern Virginia Community College in Sterling for 1 ½ years as a business administrator major. Then I started working and put school on hold. I will go back and finish eventually.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I enjoy working out, lifting weights, playing video games, and hanging out with friends. I also appreciate the outdoors and love to go hiking.

What is a fun fact about you?

I love motorcycles and trucks. I own a pickup truck and a Harley.

What is an important lesson you’ve learned while working at 123JUNK?

Every day will be different and as long as you keep pushing through, you’ll figure out a way to get through it. Keep a good attitude and every day you’ll find something to look forward to.

What advice would you give to someone just starting at 123JUNK?

Learn from your co-workers, from everyone who’s been here a while. They’ll show you the ropes. Keep pushing forward and you’ll figure it out, and then it all becomes second nature pretty quickly.

Any advice for someone looking to join 123JUNK?

You’re going to get dirty, but as long as you’re OK with that, you’ll be fine.

Working With 123JUNK is a Great Experience!

It’s the great people like Nick Williams who make both working at and working with 123JUNK such a great experience. We hope you get a chance to work with Nick too.

If you’d like to work at 123JUNK, visit our Job Openings.

To schedule a junk hauling appointment, contact our team at 1-800-364-5778 and speak with a live representative. We serve families and business owners throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin Wheeler Business Development Manager at junk removal company in Northern Virginia

Meet Kevin Wheeler, Sales Manager

Posted on | by Chris Flook
Northern Virginia Junk Removal Business Development Manager with Mascot

 

Kevin Wheeler was just a 16-year-old high school student when his junkman career began. “When my brother Collin started 123JUNK, he didn’t give me much of a choice,” he explained. “He needed help and my friends and I were looking for jobs so he hired us. It was well paying, a good workout, I got to work with my friends, and it was a way for me to help my big brother.”

Kevin worked afternoons, weekends, and summer breaks through his high school and college years. Then after obtaining his degree in Business Management with a concentration in Entrepreneurship from Radford University, he took a job working for the Federal Government in the human resources department for Fish and Wildlife Services.

“I quickly realized that line of work didn’t suit my personality; I’m much more a people person, and more sales driven,” he said. “Meanwhile, Collin had mentioned he was looking to hire someone with my personality type to help drive new business development, so I ended up taking the position to help expand 123JUNK into Maryland and DC.” That was in November 2014.

Eventually Kevin’s territory expanded to cover the whole DMV. Later he transitioned from a Client Relationship Executive to Business Development Manager to Sales Manager. Despite his growth, Kevin still jumps in where he is needed. You may find him assisting with a job in the field on Monday morning and sitting down for coffee or lunch with a referral partner or charity partner in the afternoon. You need humility in junk removal, a realty that Kevin is very familiar with.

“My dream is to keep moving up within the company. I’m proud to see the continued growth of our company and it’s people. It’s gratifying to know I played an important role in that expansion,” he explained. “The company is growing fast!”

Young Kevin Wheeler at Northern Virginia Junk Removal Company
Kevin posing in front of a truck in 2008.

Making a Difference

Outside of work and volunteering, Kevin loves to spend time with his wife, Julie and his dog, Bella. He also loves his sports teams, which include the Nationals, Wizards and The Commanders. He enjoys playing golf and basketball.

Kevin was raised in a family that valued volunteerism and uses his spare time to coach fifth-grade basketball and mentor a little brother through the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program and enjoys interacting with his own close family. During college, he also participated in at least one mission trip each summer and even had a pen pal since the second grade that he got to visit in Sierra Leone twice on these trips.

As for 123JUNK, “I never realized the magnitude to which our services free up peace of mind with our clients. You’d never think that hauling stuff from someone’s garage would make a difference, but it does,” Kevin said. “We hear this from our charity partners too; they are so grateful for the service we provide them. Being so involved, I get to see and hear the feedback firsthand.”

“Those measures we take to go above and beyond is what makes 123JUNK different,” he continued. “It starts with our hiring process, followed by consistent training. Our employees buy into our philosophy and our message and believe in the company’s culture and core values.”

Kevin Wheeler, Northern Virginia junk removal company business development manager, with Family

Contact 123JUNK

If you live or work in Northern Virginia, Maryland, or Washington, D.C., let 123JUNK make a difference in your life. Call today to schedule your appointment for junk, furniture, and appliance removal, or yard waste and debris cleanup from your home or office.

emotaional-clutter

How to Clear Emotional Clutter

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

Physical clutter we all understand. It is the accumulation of too much stuff that we can see and feel. Emotional clutter is something altogether different, yet, similar in its own way. It is the accumulation of persistent negative thoughts or thought loops that can clutter our mind and drain our energy. Although you can’t call a junk hauling company (like 123JUNK) to haul it away, the good news is that there are ways to clear emotional clutter.

What is Emotional Clutter?

Emotional clutter is negative thoughts that are deep-seated beliefs about yourself, like “Nobody really loves me,” “I am terribly awkward talking with people,” “I’m not deserving,” or “I can’t do it.” Unfortunately, the more you let them clutter your mind, the deeper these thoughts seat themselves, like a bad habit, or grooves on a record that that plays over and over again.

How to Clear Emotional Clutter

The brain is an amazing instrument that can be reprogrammed. In scientific terms, this is called neuroplasticity, or “the brain’s ability to modify, change and adapt both structure and function throughout life and in response to experience,” according to a Frontiers in Psychology article.

Step One: Identify the Negative Thoughts

Each time you have a negative thought, acknowledge it. Write it down. Notice and record how often it appears. Think to yourself, “Is this really true?”

Step Two: Slowly Make Changes

You can’t just swing your thought to the opposite end of the spectrum. It won’t work. You have to take baby steps and look at the reality of the situation. If your thought is “Nobody really loves me,” take a count of all the people that really do care about you and create a new script like “My spouse and children love me, and I am lovable.” It is OK to also include yourself in those who love you, as in “I love who I am.” Work on one negative thought at a time.

Step Three: Create New Grooves

Every time you have a repeating negative thought, replace it with the new thought. The more you retrain your brain, the fewer times the negative thought will reappear. Consciously repeat the new thought, even when the negative thought isn’t appearing. Say it out loud, and repeat it often, like when you’re taking a walk, driving or in front of the mirror.

Step Four: Be Kind to Yourself

It takes time to reprogram negative thoughts, so be compassionate to yourself and remember your own worth. Create a strong support system of people who can reiterate and reinforce your new, positive thoughts.

Once you are able to clear negative thoughts, you will feel lighter and more freedom than ever before. These thoughts are not facts. They are merely thoughts. Visualize a path to a new outcome and repeat that image until it becomes the new reality. As you clear emotional clutter, you are able to make better decisions about everything, leading to a more joyful and fulfilling life.

Want to know more? Here are several books designed to help clear emotional clutter:

Clearing Emotional Clutter: Mindfulness Practices for Letting Go of What’s Blocking Your Fulfillment and Transformation, by Donald Altman, 2016.

Emotional clutter—the equivalent of a jam-packed closet in your mind—has been proven to block success in professional and personal lives. It can results from hidden pains and traumas and creates toxic patterns. The author helps you identify what you’re holding on to and how to cleanse, heal or accept old wounds, mistakes and disappointments.

Clutter Busting Your Life: Clearing Physical and Emotional Clutter to Reconnect with Yourself and Others, by Brooks Palmer, 2012.

Keeping things you no longer need can keep you from experiencing the joy of connection. The author discusses how we use clutter to protect ourselves, control others and cling to the past, and how to not only clear clutter but enjoy deeper, more authentic relationships.

Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui: Free Yourself from Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Clutter Forever, by Karen Kingston, 2016.

This author claims that clutter is stuck energy that has far-reaching effects beyond the stuff, and causing effects to the body, mind, emotions and spirit. She covers why people keep clutter, how it stagnates your life, and how to clear it quickly and effectively.

Clear Clutter in MD, DC and Northern VA with 123JUNK

Did you know that emotional clutter can lead to physical clutter? When you’re ready to clear the clutter out of your home or office, contact 123JUNK. We’ll be glad to remove junk, furniture, appliances, household goods and use our 1-2-3 process to Donate-Recycle-Dispose of them in the best and most eco-friendly ways possible. We’ll also do a complete cleanout of your property if needed.

For junk hauling in Maryland, Washington DC or Northern Virginia, contact 123JUNK.

collectibles-worth

What Are My Collectibles Worth?

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

For generations, people have collected items that were considered to be “collectibles,” with plans that they would become more valuable with age. The homes of Baby Boomers are filled with them. As people are now trying to cash in on their collectives, they are finding their value has not increased as expected, leaving them to wonder, “What are my collectibles worth?”

Time was, creating collections would have been a good plan. However, today’s younger generations are going more minimalist, and have little to no interest in them. That means the collectibles’ worth is much lower than expected. In some cases, there may not be anything but sentimental value left.

Here are some of the more common collectibles markets and their current worth:

Figurines

Hummel figurines were immensely popular at the end of World War II, as the soldiers stationed in West Germany began sending them home as gifts and souvenirs, and after the figures began to be sold by the Army PX system. In addition to the traditional M.I. Hummel figurines, special limited editions also became popular for collecting. Once sold at a handsome price—often hundreds of dollars—they can be worth far less. The same fate has befallen the once-popular Precious Moments figurines. Other than the “Original 21” that are considered to be “vintage,” they are also greatly discounted.

China Patterns

Owning a set of fine china was once a status symbol among families, and acquiring a full set was quite the investment. Some of the more popular china patterns included Wedgwood, Lenox and Royal Copenhagen. Now, you can find full china sets at thrift stores and estate sales for as little as $200 typically. Other than for family nostalgia, they are often unwanted by modern generations.

Longaberger Baskets

Collecting Longaberger baskets was once the rage, but after sales declined, the company closed its doors in 2018. In 2019, the company was acquired by Xcel Brands and the brand was relaunched, but without the provenance it formerly had. Once sold at more than $100, Longaberger baskets are often sold for $10 or less at thrift stores and yard sales.

Miscellaneous Collectibles

You still can see advertisements from companies like the Bradford Exchange and Franklin Mint selling commemoratives and coins. Yet, like the other collectible markets, the value of these items has not increased as originally forecast.

There are Still Collectibles with Great Worth

Yet with collectibles markets down, there are still treasures to be found. You’ve certainly seen them revealed—often to the surprise of the owner—on TV shows like Antiques Roadshow. Rare items and specific characteristics can certainly add to an item’s value. Before disposing of an item, check its label, name and identification marks. What your collectibles are worth still may be high, depending upon market demand.

Your Collectibles are Worth Sharing With Others. Please Donate.

At 123JUNK, we collect more than junk. Homeowners throughout Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland often entrust us with their high-end furnishings and collectibles like unused sets of china to donate them to places where their value can be put to good use. It’s part of our Donate-Recycle-Dispose process.

When you have items that you know have worth and are in good condition, but you no longer want or need them, consider donating them to one of our charitable partners. There, they will be issued to families in need or sold to raise funds for local charity programs.

Many families don’t want to deal with the hassle of an estate or yard sale, the time and effort of delivering items themselves to a charity, or the convolutions of selling these items online, so they call 123JUNK.

We carefully load your donated items into our big red truck and safely deliver them to the charity partners with which we are affiliated. We also provide you with a receipt of your donation for tax purposes.

Even though your family’s collectibles’ worth may not be what is was expected when originally purchased, these items still have great value in your local community. Consider donating them through 123JUNK.

For donations and other junk removal, contact 123JUNK.