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From Backyard Hustle to a $3 Million Junk Removal Empire

Kirk and Jacob McKinney turned a $4,000 used Ford F-150 into a thriving multi-state enterprise, scaling their teen side hustle into a business that generated $3 million in revenue last year. What began as a local effort to clear out unwanted clutter has evolved into Junk Teens, a company now employing 25 people.

From Backyard Hustle to a $3 Million Junk Removal Empire

The venture started in 2021 when Kirk, then a high schooler in Massachusetts, realized he could monetize the junk-removal process after working for established contractors. Recognizing the potential to serve customers directly, he recruited his brother Jacob to pool their savings for a pickup truck. Their early days involved manual labor and trial-and-error, including a grueling nine-day cleanout that they now complete in half a day. They leaned into their identity as young, hardworking entrepreneurs, eventually rebranding from K&J Removal to Junk Teens to capitalize on their unique market position.

A significant turning point arrived in 2022, when the brothers invested $80,000 in their first dump truck. This upgrade allowed them to handle larger loads, improve scheduling, and hire peers to expand their capacity. By 2023, the brothers had secured a warehouse and scaled their operations to reach seven-figure revenue. Today, the business operates across multiple locations, including Cape Cod and Rhode Island, supported by a fleet of five dump trucks and a social media presence exceeding 500,000 followers. Looking ahead, the founders are targeting $5 million in revenue for 2026 as they eye nationwide expansion, attributing their growth to consistent reinvestment and a focus on customer communication.

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