Watch CBS News

Moving Junk Pays Off For A Baltimore Entrepreneur

As the first Baltimore-based franchisee of the widely acclaimed, international companies 1-800-GOT-JUNK and You Move Me, Alan Klug knows what it takes to succeed in a fast-paced business environment.

AlanKlug_YouMoveMe_1800GOTJUNK
(Photo Courtesy of Alan Klug)

Where did you receive your higher education, and in what field of study?

"I received my Bachelors in Accounting and Management Information Systems from Loyola University."

How has your educational background contributed to your career achievements and goals?

"My educational background in accounting meant that from day one of launching 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and You Move Me in Baltimore, I kept accurate and up-to-date financial records."

What motivates you to be successful in business?

"Business ownership for me is about building something that I can be proud of and that can provide for others. This includes providing a service people need, a workplace that encourages professional and personal growth and using my success to support my community."

Do you have any advice for others who would like to follow in your path?

"There's a lot of value in the way universities teach business. School gives you the opportunity to experiment with different focuses and find out what you're good at and what you'll need help with when you go out on your own."

"If you're building a disruptive brand like 1-800-GOT-JUNK? or You Move Me, you'll need to be confident in your vision and stand by your convictions because you'll have a lot of people questioning you. When I launched 1-800-GOT-JUNK? in Baltimore, I had a lot of people asking me why customers would pay to have junk removed. Now with You Move Me, people are asking, 'Do we really need another moving company?' What I tell them is that I'm building businesses that go beyond what you're expecting. "

"Our mission is to conquer the status quo and provide exceptional service in industries that traditionally lack customer care, accountability and reliability. Just because a business exists doesn't mean you can't do it better. My job is to ensure that when it comes to junk removal and moving, we're the best."

Keisha Oduor is a professional writer and entrepreneur who resides in Baltimore, Maryland. She has a degree in Communications and French from New York University with work experience in publishing, nonprofits, healthcare administration and program management. Her work can be found on Examiner.com"

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.