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Published Mar 21, 2019

175: Brian Scudamore | How Failure Can Be Your Key to Success

Brian Scudamore, the mastermind behind 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, explains how embracing failure as part of his 'Willing to Fail' philosophy fueled his entrepreneurial success, transforming him from a high school dropout to a franchise mogul through innovative marketing and bold leadership.
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  • Early Days

    Brian Scudamore's entrepreneurial journey began with a $700 investment in a beat-up old pickup truck. Despite dropping out of high school and college, he was determined to succeed and started hauling junk to fund his education. His commitment to his vision was unwavering, even when faced with skepticism from his future father-in-law and others.

    I finished the year through, but I just didn't technically graduate because one course I had failed, which was algebra.

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    Brian's story highlights the power of perseverance and the belief that the universe will conspire to assist those who are committed to their goals. 1 2

       

    Key Decisions

    Key decisions shaped Brian's business trajectory, including rejecting lucrative buyout offers to stay true to his vision. He turned down offers from waste management companies, valuing his dream of building a billion-dollar business over immediate financial gain. This decision was driven by his desire to inspire other entrepreneurs and maintain control over his company's future.

    I'm not someone building a business who wants to make money to the point that I've got crazy money to do things with. I want the freedom and the lifestyle, but I want more to help other entrepreneurs be inspired.

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    Brian's focus on the residential side of junk removal, a niche ignored by larger companies, allowed him to carve out a unique market position. 3 4

       

    Leadership

    Leadership challenges were a significant part of Brian's journey, teaching him valuable lessons about team management. He learned the hard way that it's better to have no help than the wrong help, leading him to overhaul his team entirely at one point. This experience underscored the importance of hiring the right people who align with the company's vision and values.

    I had nine bad apples. Unfortunately, I got them out of the business. I took all 11 people and I said, I got to start again.

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    Brian also faced challenges in finding the right leadership, including a difficult decision to part ways with a high-profile hire from Starbucks. 5 6

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