Purpose Beyond Profit: Brian Scudamore’s Big Hairy Audacious Goal
We managed to slow down Brian Scudamore of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? just long enough to learn how he started the business with less than $1,000. And how a simple question inspired his team to do the impossible.
1-800-GOT-JUNK? is pioneering an industry that is helping residents and businesses remove junk and regain space. Whether it’s a pile of household junk in the garage or a warehouse full of office furnishings, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? removes it for you, making the ordinary business of junk removal exceptional. We are passionate about recycling and donating to charity. 1-800-GOT-JUNK? was founded in 1989 and now operates throughout North America and Australia.
In 2011, WOW 1Day! Painting was born from the same creator as 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and now serves almost 20 metros in North America. The third brand, You Move Me, will operate in 24 metros in North America by the summer of 2013.
institute B: Why did you become an entrepreneur?
Brian Scudamore: I’ve been an entrepreneur since the age of 13. In the summertime, I spent the school-free months in my driveway. I ran my own car wash. I even went so far as having a price war with my neighbor across the street. I dropped my prices to be competitive. I got down to 65 cents per car. The thing is; I’d still end still getting at least 5 bucks from everybody.
When I was 14 years old I began selling junk food out of my dorm. Unfortunately that venture got shut down when the school store realized I was taking their business away! 5 years after that, I began hauling junk as the owner of, The Rubbish Boys. I’ve always had the entrepreneurial spirit.
Simon Sinek’s Start With Why teaches entrepreneurs to focus on Why, not How. What was my Why with 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Well, I was interested in watching a company grow. It was all about building a successful, reputable business. I also was intent on having fun watching people, themselves, grow.
How would you characterize your company’s culture?
We foster a culture of work hard, play hard here at 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, WOW 1Day! Painting and You Move Me. We have aggressive goals. We practice focus when it’s needed, but we make sure to celebrate our wins and share in the excitement of smashing records and achieving goals with everyone who has contributed.
Everyone at our head office, which we call The Junktion, works together in an open, inclusive space. I sit at a cubicle with the rest of my team. We’ve gone beyond open door policy – I don’t even have a door!
Surrounding yourself with a committed team is one of the key factors to success. How do you enroll your employees in your company’s mission?
It’s about hiring the right people and placing them in the right seats to let them drive your business forward. If you know you have the right people but still feel something is missing, there might be an opportunity to audit your systems. People don’t fail, systems do. Sometimes it’s just a matter of tweaking the way things are done.
How do you motivate your organization to push past boundaries and pursue opportunities that they might have initially thought impossible or too big?
We have something at the Junktion called The Can You Imagine? Wall. Underneath the title displays numerous “Big Hairy Audacious Goals” from various employees.
I once asked my team to email me the answer to the question “Can You Imagine…” When people arrived to work the following Monday, each person’s goals were permanently displayed on the walls. I looked at the crowd and said, there are your goals. Now go make them happen!
We have accomplished some of the most audacious already which now have green check marks next to them. For example:
Can You Imagine being featured on Oprah?
Can You Imagine operating in 3 countries?
Can You Imagine being featured on 10M Starbucks cups?
Do you consciously focus on your organizational culture and if so, what elements are important to reinforce your culture?
When you walk into our office, there’s a large quote on our wall with my name under it. It says, “It’s All About People.” It’s simple. We drive a business that’s All About People. When you put people first, the rest falls into place.
How do you plan on keeping your distinct culture as you continue to grow at such a drastic pace?
I have created a work environment where questions and ideas are encouraged from all members of my team. Facilitating honest feedback keeps me engaged with what’s truly going on throughout the company, no matter what the growth pace is. Every day we hold a 7-minute stand-up meeting we call Huddle. We share good news, departmental news, review metrics and address any missing systems or opportunities. Check out our YouTube channel to see our Huddle in action.
Leaders stretch their boundaries in direct proportion to the vision and purpose of the organization. The bigger the vision and purpose, the bigger the personal growth required. What has been the most valuable personal growth lesson you’ve experienced?
I was able to start a business with less than $1000 by setting clear goals and taking the road less traveled. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is to go with your gut. Whether it’s hiring an employee or making a strategic decision – go with your instincts.
Purpose breathes life into all roles in an organization. What is the bigger contribution 1 800 Got Junk is making to the world? What will be your legacy?
1-800-GOT-JUNK? has ambitious environment goals. We are continually auditing ourselves to ensure that what we haul away is disposed of properly. The landfill is always the last resort. We first sort, donate and recycle our truckloads. To date, we’ve diverted 2.37 billions of pounds away from the landfill
1-800-GOT-JUNK? is known for professionalizing an industry that had never before been professionalized. And now we have set out to do this for the painting industry and the moving industry. Our legacy will be taking the ordinary and making it exceptional.
Check out their partner You Move Me in Vancouver, BC.
Join us next week when talk with Bobby Atwal of The Fan Zoo about his most important leadership lesson and how he feels about becoming Canada’s 50th B Corp.