Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Carol Vaillancourt, Franchise Owner of JDog Junk Removal & Hauling Ocean City, located in Berlin, MD, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a JDog Junk Removal & Hauling franchise located in Ocean City, MD. Our services include removing any unwanted items from homes and businesses, renting small dumpsters, light demolition, organization, and labor services. Our customers are usually people in transition, either moving, downsizing, renovating, or redecorating. Oftentimes our customers are cleaning a home out to sell, whether they inherited the home, recently had renters living in it, or are simply downsizing.
Tell us about yourself
All JDog Junk Removal & Hauling franchises are owned and operated by military veterans, service members, or family members. I'm currently serving in the Army National Guard and have been serving for almost 20 years. I started in this business after a chance meeting with a fellow service member who owned a franchise of JDog and convinced me to join him. I'm motivated by my mission to serve my community through environmentally responsible junk removal while providing for my family.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As a business owner, I can't point to any one BIG accomplishment, but rather all the small wins that keep our doors open and paychecks flowing to our staff. I do have to admit being nominated for and winning 2022 business of the year with the Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce was an honor. If I had to point to anything, I'd say that. We moved to the community and opened our business in 2019, right before the pandemic. Building our business and gaining that kind of recognition in the community while struggling through a pandemic makes me proud.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The responsibility I feel to my employees. Nothing keeps me up at night more than not having enough work for my staff to make money they count on.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
First, do your research. I know everyone says that, but what does that mean? It means knowing your product or service as well as EVERY little expense you might incur. Once you have that number, double or triple it to figure out what you might actually run up against. If I had known how expensive it is to run this business, I would have looked for an alternate option. Our customers see us do a job that might only take 30 minutes and can't believe how "expensive" it is. I can't believe it myself! Once you are in it - no matter what "it" is - do not take your eyes off the road. Track your numbers, and know your KPIs and profit margins. The money can get away from you so quickly as a business owner with everyone's hand out to you. When it comes to growth, growing pains are real. You may have to be "upside down" for a bit to grow. Once you hit a plateau in your business where revenue is stale, it is time to look where you need to put your time, energy, and money to kick revenue up.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://bit.ly/3RChlP6
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JDogOceanCity
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdog_ocean_city/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JDogOceanCity
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3JM7N1M
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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