Company: Junk Bear
Founded: 2019
Locations: Southington, CT & Milford, CT
Services: Full-Service Junk Removal & Light Demolition
Website:
www.junk-bear.com
Instagram: @junkbear
In this Hauler Spotlight, we sit down with
Robert Paradis, owner of
Junk Bear, one of Connecticut’s fastest-growing junk removal companies. Robert built his business from the ground up with one intentional mission: 👉
Build a hauling business designed to sell.
Whether you're looking to strengthen your current operation or planning your own exit strategy, Robert’s approach offers a blueprint for creating a profitable, scalable, and acquisition-ready junk removal company.
Q&A With Robert Paradis — Junk Bear
What inspired your journey into the junk removal industry?
I followed and learned from several high-quality companies in the industry: Lugaway, Joseph Junk Removal, Fire Dawgs Junk Removal, Junk Doctors, and Grizzly Junk Pros. Watching the standards they set gave me a blueprint for excellence.
Why did you build your hauling business with the intention of selling it?
To have options. When you build your business as if you’re going to sell it, two things happen:
a) You create a business someone would actually want to buy
b) You create a business worth keeping
Building to sell automatically forces you to run a tighter ship.
What key strategies made your company attractive to buyers?
1. A scalable, memorable brand:
Our name is clean, recognizable, and expandable into multiple markets without feeling overly local.
2. Clear service discipline:
We focus on junk removal and light demo — nothing more. Buyers don’t want an unfocused service list.
Tom Brady analogy: Nobody cares if he’s good at chess. They just want him throwing touchdowns.
How did you maintain and grow company value over time?
Know your numbers. Measure them often. Stay profitable. Buyers
cannot buy a business that doesn’t make money.
What challenges came up when preparing to sell?
Operating in a “bankable” way is harder than operating like a typical small business.
- Deposit all cash
- Pay taxes properly
- Keep clean books
- Stay fully insured
Buyers want proof, not promises.
How important was company culture in building a business worth buying?
Huge.
Our team is the face of Junk Bear. We invest heavily in:
- employee morale
- development
- long-term retention
The longer they stay, the better they perform — and the better our customers are treated.
How did you demonstrate scalability to potential buyers?
Scalability only matters if you’re profitable.
We showed scalability by:
- adding more trucks
- opening a second building
- maintaining assets properly
Top-line revenue is vanity. Bottom-line profit is sanity.
How do you maintain customer relationships during a transition?
Be the face of the company before and after acquisition. Customers need familiarity and stability.
What lessons did you learn building a business with an exit in mind?
I now think differently about industries where private equity is already acquiring. Those are the industries with the highest exit opportunities.
What advice would you give entrepreneurs building to exit?
- Be legitimate
- Charge legitimate prices
- Don’t undercut the industry
- Deliver the highest value possible while staying profitable
Buyers want durable, lean, financially tight operations.
What personal challenges have you faced?
For years I tried to do everything:
- Full-time corporate ops job
- Three side businesses
- Newly married with four kids
- A live-in mother-in-law
- Four pets
Everything suffered because I was spread too thin.
My breakthrough came when I focused on
ONE thing, which led to significant success and four industry awards.
What’s your business philosophy and future vision?
“The team that communicates best, wins.”
The goal is simple: Be the biggest little guy on the block.
Your secret to success?
Pray, plan, pursue.
Key Takeaways for Building a Sellable Junk Removal Business
Growing a successful junk removal business isn’t just about equipment or daily operations.
It’s about building:
- a memorable, expandable brand
- a profitable operation
- strong culture
- scalable systems
- clean financials
- reliable team performance
- consistent customer experience
Every decision you make today affects what your business becomes tomorrow.
Exit Planning Tips for Haulers
Whether you're new or established, exit planning includes:
- understanding your business’s true value
- creating clean financials
- building systems that run without you
- developing leaders
- maintaining customer relationships
- investing in scalable infrastructure
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
The earlier you prepare, the more options you’ll have.
Final Thoughts
Running a hauling business is hard. Building one that’s profitable, scalable, and
sellable is even harder — but absolutely possible.
Robert’s journey with Junk Bear shows that with focus, financial discipline, and clear systems, you can build a hauling company that not only supports your family today…
…but becomes a valuable asset tomorrow.
This is just the beginning.
I’ll be sharing more guides on:
- building to sell
- valuing a hauling business
- preparing for private equity interest
- scaling with clean systems
Check back soon — or subscribe to
The Hauler’s Edge for weekly insights every Sunday.
FAQ: Building a Sellable Junk Removal Business
How do I make my junk removal business attractive to buyers?
Build clean financials, stay profitable, create a recognizable brand, and build systems that don’t rely on the owner.
How long does it take to build a sellable hauling company?
Usually 3–7 years depending on systems, leadership, and profitability.
What do buyers look for in a junk removal company?
Brand strength, profit margins, crew reliability, bookkeeping, and asset condition.
What’s the biggest mistake haulers make when trying to sell?
Running their business on cash or incomplete documentation — buyers want clean records.
