How The Junkluggers of Greater Seattle Is Transforming Junk Removal

In this interview, we have the pleasure of speaking with Chase and Maria Costello, the husband-and-wife duo behind The Junkluggers of Greater Seattle. With a background in real estate and a strong commitment to community and environmental impact, they transitioned into the eco-friendly junk removal business in 2021.

As a veteran-owned and certified woman-owned business, they bring a unique perspective to their work, emphasizing sustainability and giving back through partnerships with local charities like Northwest Center and Battlefield Addiction. Their journey from real estate to junk removal is not just about business but about making a meaningful difference in their community.

Background and Motivation

SBS – Can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to start Junkluggers of Greater Seattle? What inspired you to transition from owning a real estate business to joining the Junkluggers franchise in 2021?

Maria – My professional journey began at Accenture, a large consulting firm. I worked there for nine years as a consultant and oversaw one of our biggest clients — Microsoft. In this role, I supervised the launch of various products and office software into retail markets, specializing in pricing and procurement. At the same time, Chase’s real estate business began growing and I found myself with an increasing need to support him. I eventually took a leap of faith and left Accenture to support his small business. I loved working with Chase, and our real estate business is what really launched our careers as partners. Once we knew we worked well together professionally, we wanted to explore new investment opportunities together. We discovered Junkluggers, and the rest is history!

Alignment with Junkluggers’ Mission

SBS – What aspects of Junkluggers’ mission resonated most with you and aligned with your personal values?

Maria – We were drawn to Junkluggers’ entire mission, which is to enhance lives, our community, and the environment by donating, recycling, and supporting local charities. This spoke volumes to us and really resonated with our personal values. We loved the brand’s efforts to rehome items people no longer wanted and to give them a second chance in a home they would be meaningful for. We saw investing with Junkluggers as a great opportunity to work with a brand adamant on making the world a better place, and knew there was potential for the business to thrive in Seattle.

Overcoming Initial Challenges

SBS – What challenges did you face in the first month of operation, and how did you overcome them?

Maria – For me, the main challenge I faced was learning to navigate a male-dominated field. I initially doubted my ability to lead our team and thought being a female might hinder my effectiveness in my role. However, I soon discovered the only barriers I faced were the ones I imposed on myself. Over time I was able to face my challenges head-on and have created strong relationships with our employees. My achievements eventually led to my appointment to the franchise advisory council, where I continue to make valuable contributions.

As a leader for women in the industry, I’ve come to learn my franchising journey has inspired more female entrepreneurs to join Junkluggers. Now, I’m proud to serve as a role model for my fellow female colleagues and my two daughters, demonstrating that gender is no barrier to success in any field.

Tailoring Services to Customer Needs

SBS – What services do you offer, and how do you ensure they are tailored to meet customer needs?

Maria – At Junkluggers, we offer a range of services like junk removal, e-waste recycling, donation pickups, estate cleanouts, commercial cleanouts, and labor-only services. Whether you need to clear items from your home or business, we’re here to make the process easy for you. We provide free consultations to discuss your needs and give you a clear estimate. We also work around your schedule, offering same-day service or a time that works best for you. Our friendly team handles everything with care and efficiency, making sure every job is completed to the highest standards. As I mentioned before, the Junkluggers are highly committed to sustainability by focusing on recycling and donations. Chase and I help to sort the items we pick up to ensure as much as possible is reused or donated to local communities.

Daily Operations Insight

SBS – Can you walk us through a typical day in the life of running Junkluggers of Greater Seattle?

Maria – Every day is different, which is what makes it exciting and keeps us on our toes! We kick off each day with a team huddle to go over the schedule, discuss any special instructions, and ensure all equipment and vehicles are in good shape. Then, our crews receive a detailed plan for their jobs, including addresses and specific requirements. They efficiently sort, remove, and load items, making sure to handle donations and recyclables properly to support sustainability.

Meanwhile, our office team manages customer inquiries, schedules, estimates, recycling drop-offs, and donation pickups with charity partners. We also handle administrative tasks like updating schedules, processing payments, and managing inventory. We keep in touch with the crews to monitor progress and address any issues, adjusting as needed. On a regular basis, we also invest time in team development and training to ensure that our staff is up to date on best practices and any new procedures. We also review customer feedback to identify areas for improvement. This helps us maintain high service standards and foster a positive work environment.

Partnering with Charities

SBS – How do you select which charity organizations to partner with for donations? Can you share any memorable experiences or stories from working with local charities?

Maria – We use the three P’s — people, process, and planet — when selecting charities to partner with. We look for organizations that create a positive environment for their employees, have efficient processes to maximize the impact of our donations, and are committed to sustainability. Recently, we toured Northwest Center’s processing facility, a nonprofit building a disability-inclusive world for schools, businesses, and people, and were impressed by their team and operational excellence. They’ve helped us transform our warehouse into a mini version of their facility, coached us on sorting systems, and even visited our location a few times a week to pick up our donations.

Community Impact

SBS – What impact have you seen in the community since starting Junkluggers of Greater Seattle?

Maria – We love hearing from our customers! We often receive calls from clients praising our crews for their exceptional service and dedication to handling items with care, as well as our commitment to responsible donation and recycling. We also offer our services to realtors, small business owners, and other groups in the community. E-waste recycling frequently comes up, and many people are not aware of it or how recycling such waste impacts our planet. We enjoy educating others on simple habits that can add up to make a big impact.

Handling Non-Donatable Items

SBS – How do you handle items that can’t be donated or recycled?

Maria – Donation centers sometimes experience seasonal surges in reusable items and may turn away donations when they’re full. In such cases, we store these items at our warehouse until they can be donated. Alternatively, we sell items in our Remix Marketplace and contribute a portion of the proceeds to one of our charity partners. Remix Market, a Junkluggers company, enables us to rehome and recycle to minimize what ends up in a landfill. Whether donating, recycling, or reselling, Remix Market is focused on the same mission as Junkluggers — to enhance lives, our communities, and the environment by donating, recycling, and supporting local charities.

The Importance of Work Ethic

SBS – How important is having a strong work ethic, structure, and accountability in running a successful business?

Maria – Building a franchise from the ground up has been a journey filled with lessons and unexpected challenges for us. We initially underestimated the magnitude of the day-to-day investment, but it’s been a labor of love, and we’ve built something pretty magical. We truly have the best people and a positive culture, which brings a sense of fulfillment and gratitude for how far we’ve come.

Future Goals and Expansion

SBS – What are your plans for Junkluggers of Greater Seattle over the next five years?

Maria – In a strategic move to expand our current market presence, we’re growing deeper into the territories we already own. We call this approach local market saturation, meaning we maximize our services in our current territories before expanding to others. We’ve also made some hiring changes recently. We’ve onboarded a landfill diversion manager to help increase our recycling and donation efforts. We are also looking to further grow our operations with a business development manager and additional crew members.

Balancing Work and Life

SBS – How do you manage work-life balance while running a demanding business?

Maria – Owning a small business is full of opportunities for growth. One of the challenges we’re embracing is finding that perfect work-life balance. As we work through our daily tasks, we focus on maintaining quality in everything we do, whether it’s driving, loading, delivering, or building our business. We remind our team and ourselves to take the time needed to do things right without rushing. Fortunately, each day offers a fresh opportunity to tackle new challenges and move closer to our goals.

Lessons from Military Experience

SBS – Can you share a lesson from your military experience that you apply to your business operations every day?

Maria – Two important lessons Chase applies to our business are the value of discipline and adaptability. In the military, it was essential to stay disciplined while being flexible to handle changing situations. Similarly, in business, this means keeping a strong focus on efficiency and following established processes. It’s important to try to stay prepared, but also adjust your strategies when needed.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

SBS – What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own business, especially a franchise?

Maria – Starting your own business can be intimidating but remember that many have navigated this path before you. We’ve found networking with other small business owners in our field and community to be very helpful. Hiring a business coach can also be invaluable for keeping you accountable. Mistakes are part of the journey, but it’s important to regularly reflect on your business, celebrate accomplishments, and set future goals. While daily progress might seem slow, ramping up a business is a step-by-step process. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but as the days, months, and years go on, you’ll look back and see you’ve climbed a mountain to get to where you are today.