Media

When Brian Scudamore and Tony Chapman spoke on the Chatter That Matters podcast, they unpacked what it really takes to turn a $700 pickup truck into a $700M global brand. In this article, Brian shares his personal journey of embracing a "WTF" (Willing to Fail) attitude, building a customer-first culture, securing the 1-800-GOT-JUNK? phone number, and making space for possibility.

In a special episode of NPR’s Advice Line on How I Built This Lab, founder and CEO Brian Scudamore joins host Guy Raz to answer real questions from growing entrepreneurs. From narrowing your focus to telling an authentic founder story, Brian shares the hard-earned lessons that built 1-800-GOT-JUNK? into a global $600 million brand as of 2026.

Discover how an 18-year-old high school dropout turned a $700 pickup truck into the world’s largest junk removal service. In this feature based on NPR’s How I Built This podcast, founder Brian Scudamore shares how customer relief, relentless vision, and an iconic phone number built a global brand across Canada, the United States, and Australia.

How does a high school dropout turn a $700 beat-up truck into a junk removal empire? Discover the key strategies—including robust systems and a vivid vision—that took 1-800-GOT-JUNK? from a local hauling route to a global household name.

How does a high school dropout turn a $700 beat-up truck into a junk removal empire? Discover the key strategies—including robust systems and a vivid vision—that took 1-800-GOT-JUNK? from a local hauling route to a global household name.

1-800-GOT-JUNK? Founder and CEO Brian Scudamore knows what it takes to build a business from the ground up. What started with a single $700 truck has grown into approximately 150 locations across Canada, the United States, and Australia. Now, he’s returning to CBC’s Dragons' Den for Season 21 to invest in the next generation of passionate entrepreneurs!