Hiring feels heavy until you realize you’ve been asking the wrong question. Most small business owners waste years trying to figure out how to do everything themselves instead of finding the who that already knows how.
And when you finally make that shift, everything changes — productivity, freedom, growth, even your stress levels.
Before we dive into the strategy, I want to spotlight someone who embodies this mindset on the ground level.
Hauling Spotlight: Old Time Junk Hauling — Apex, NC
Owner: Wayne Johnson
Founded: 2020
Services: Full-Service Junk Removal, Local Hauling, Light Demo
Website: OldTimeJunkHauling.com
Instagram: @OldTimeJunkHauling
Wayne and his wife launched Old Time Junk Hauling at the beginning of the pandemic, pivoting from home repair and painting into junk removal. What started as a valuable service add-on quickly became a full business because Wayne did two critical things:
1. He built a network of reliable people he could call for advice or overflow work.
2. He created processes early so the business wouldn’t choke him out later.
And he’ll tell you straight up — he wishes he started sooner. His inspiration came from YouTube hustlers documenting their daily wins and from his wife, who planted the idea long before he finally listened.
His Business Philosophy
Wayne keeps things simple:
- Strong online presence
- Support local businesses
- Recycle and repurpose whenever possible
- Generate extra revenue streams (like selling metals to scrap yards)
- Keep everything efficient and uncomplicated for clients
Balance + Life
They work seven days a week but on their terms. Walks together. Space for hobbies. Debriefs between jobs.
Social Media Strategy
Most residential clients find them through Google and Nextdoor. Realtors and property managers discover them on Instagram and Facebook.
All organic. All word of mouth.
Achievements
- 5-Star Google Reviews
- Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorite (2021, 2023)
- Multiple years hitting sales goals
- Loyal repeat customer base
Future Vision
Sustainability. Efficiency. Excellent customer service.
Ten more years, then see what the universe delivers.
Perfect example of a small hauling business doing things the right way — leaning on the right whos at the right time.
Lessons / Insights
Now let’s break down the core topic:
Hiring and Delegating with the “Who Not How” Approach — especially for junk removal, dumpster rental, and other home service businesses.
Why “Who Not How” Matters in the Hauling Industry
Dan Sullivan said it best:
“When you start asking ‘Who’ instead of ‘How,’ you start achieving your goals faster, and with much less effort.”
I read this book a while back, and it flipped a switch for me.
Most service business owners aren’t stuck because they don’t know how to do something…
They're stuck because they refuse to find the who who can do it better, faster, and consistently.
This is how you grow past the point where you’re the bottleneck.
Hiring: Building Your Dream Team
Hiring isn’t just about filling roles — it’s about finding the right whos who carry the business forward.
1. Identify the Right Roles Before You Hire
Drivers, loaders, customer service reps, dispatchers, marketing specialists — each role should be clearly defined. This helps you attract the right people
and keeps you from dumping random tasks on new hires.
Write out:
- Daily tasks
- Required skills
- Strengths needed
- Expectations
- Non-negotiables
This clarity is what pulls the right “whos” toward you.
2. Attracting Top Talent to a Hauling Business
People want to work where they feel valued.
Showcase:
- Competitive pay
- Growth opportunities
- Simple systems
- Work-life balance
- A brand people are proud to represent
Use job boards, Instagram, Facebook Groups, local community pages, and even your current customers.
You’re not trying to convince people. You’re trying to attract people who already align with how you operate.
Delegating: Empowering Your Team
Once you bring the right people on board, delegation becomes your real leverage.
Trust and Verify
Delegation is trust with structure. Give people clear responsibilities, then check in consistently. Not micromanagement — leadership.
Clear Communication
The best teams don’t guess. They know.
Use:
- Project management tools
- Job checklists
- Standard operating procedures
- Quick video explanations
- Daily briefings
Clear communication eliminates 90% of problems before they ever show up.
Empower and Support
Let your people make decisions. Let them grow. Let them take ownership. Your business becomes stronger when every team member acts like the outcome matters — because you gave them the space and confidence to do so.
Takeaway
Hiring and delegating is no different than setting up a job site: The right tools and the right people make everything run smoother, faster, and more profitably.
When you think “Who can do this?” instead of “How do I do this?” You unlock the next level of your business — more growth, more time, more freedom.
If you’re ready to stop being the bottleneck in your business and start building a team that actually supports your growth, I break down these systems every week in
The Hauler’s Edge.
And if you need help attracting customers while your team handles the jobs, check out what we do at
Adimize.com — real results, built for real home service businesses.
P.S.
It’s wild how fast your life changes when you start building with people instead of dragging everything by yourself. This one mindset shift might open more doors for you this year than anything else.
FAQ Section
1. How do I hire employees for my junk removal business?
Define roles clearly, outline expectations, and use hiring channels where home service workers already spend time. Highlight pay, growth, and work culture.
2. What roles should I hire first in a hauling business?
Typically: drivers, loaders, dispatch/customer service, and someone to manage marketing or lead flow.
3. How do I delegate tasks without losing control of the business?
Use clear SOPs, communication tools, and regular check-ins. Delegation is structured trust, not blind delegation.
4. How does the “Who Not How” approach help small business owners?
It accelerates growth by removing you as the bottleneck, allowing experts in specific roles to take ownership and improve efficiency.
