The Great Franchisee: Sean-Michael Green, JDog Junk Removal & Hauling, Connecticut

Don’t let Sean-Michael Green hear you say he is in the junk removal business. JDog Junk Removal & Hauling means much more than that to Green, a former U.S. marine and UCONN business professor. The veteran-oriented franchise brand allows Green to employ a team of veterans who he says are the best in the industry.

We spoke to Green to learn more about his experience with JDog and his plans for the future.

1851 Franchise: Tell us a little about your background.

Sean-Michael Green: I worked in higher education serving as Vice President at Albertus Magnus College and Associate Vice President at the University of New Haven. When COVID-19 hit, I was working in the higher education space and it seemed things were falling apart. No one was able to get their freight or goods delivered, and so I began a logistics company. All of a sudden I had 100 employees, all of which I enjoyed and I wanted to continue to employ them. 

1851: What was your perception of franchising before becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Green: I had mixed feelings about it in general. In the distant past, I looked at franchises and found the companies I could actually afford were not ideal. I would say make sure the value is there and make sure you are going to get the support you need to make you successful. Getting the name isn’t as appealing when you’re on your own. There are two kinds of entrepreneurs. There are ones that want to do it all on their own and accept no help and the others are the successful ones who ask for help. There is always something someone can do, and franchising is a framework and network for getting help and giving help, that’s the advantage of it. 

1851: What makes you stand out as a business owner in your local community?

Green: I don’t care about money at all, I care about people. Having that mindset allows me to take a long-term look at situations, and I can go to great lengths to do this. The bottom line is a lot of other business owners focus on the short term so they make bad decisions. I'm able to show the human side of the business.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Green: It’s an interesting model. At JDog Junk Removal & Hauling we take things out of people’s lives (junk) that don't serve them anymore, but it’s not just a removal business. It’s reviving its usefulness as well because we find families who need the items being tossed away. A big part of it was its exclusive nature. Not everyone can buy in, you have to be a veteran or a family member of a veteran. I don’t usually brand myself except as a Marine, so being a Veteran is a big part of my personal brand, and this is a natural fit and really a natural progression of who I am in this business.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Green: Right now, I have one truck but a ton of great people. Our territory goes all the way to the New York state line, so ultimately I should have about eight trucks. The potential is limitless, and I’m ready to start serving clients. 

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Green: My company is about the people who work here. Not only have they had background checks and drug screens, but they are good professionals, Veterans who are the core of our company. Anyone who hires us has the opportunity to get items out of their space, but they will also have a chance to meet really good people.