Been in the hustle for 12+ years? Good. You’ve seen the peaks and valleys.

I got in the game during the Great Recession of ‘09, scraping metal and hauling junk when no one else wanted to. It sucked—and I still did well. Because I showed up. I stayed in it.

Now, every year, I see people show up thinking this is easy money. They flash in during October, trying to outwork the long-haulers. And by April, they’re gone. Because it got cold, wet, and heavy—and junk removal wasn’t fun anymore.

This industry has a low barrier to entry and a high barrier to endurance.

This is not about out-hustling others. This is about grit and knowing the work never ends.

You don't need the perfect plan. You need a durable mindset and a willingness to show up—especially when it's complicated, when it sucks, when it snows.

Stay in it. Be there next April.