I recently attended a seminar at Full Sail University. The guest speaker was Omar Soliman, founder and CEO of the company College Hunks Hauling Junk. The young entrepreneur had given those that attended, concise but informative insight regarding how he and his colleague started the business. Omar grew up in Washington DC, with an indifferent attitude towards school. Despite his perspective, he finished high school, and continued unto the University of Miami. Omar needed income, and subsequently decided to dispose of people's junk with the use of his mother's truck. His first client, while in college, paid him $200 for the job, and gave him an additional $50 tip. He immediately decided this business was lucrative, and went as far as creating a business plan for a competition at the university. Based on one of the judge's last minute decisions 'College Hunks Hauling Junk' won the competition by 1 point. Funnily enough, the cash prize of $10,000 was squandered, but this didn't deter the young businessmen.
The Washington Post did an article on the small business in their metro section. The company quickly went from one or two jobs daily, to seven jobs. Omar and his partner then decided to concentrate on systemizing and marketing the business. As a result, the company managed to make over $1 million in sales during a 2 year period in DC. In 2007, though an expensive process, the owners decided to franchise the business. The first was opened in Orlando, and now there are 35 across the country. The goal of the company is to have at least 250 franchises nation wide, and to be the largest employer of college students in the country.
Omar also left attendees with advice, "although cliche, make sure to have a vision before starting the business." This business is the result of hard work, and perseverance; an excellent idea, spawned into a lucrative business.
