Air Force Veteran and Aviation Expert Opens Veteran Centric Business in Summerlin with Plans to Expand

Kenneth Martin’s entire career has been in aviation. He started in the Air Force in 2002 and continued to serve until 2008. He eventually enrolled in college and, after graduating in 2016, he knew that business ownership was the career path he wanted to pursue. After discovering JDog Brands, he knew their veteran-centric business models would be the perfect fit for him. 

Martin is looking forward to bringing JDog Junk Removal & Hauling to the Summerlin area. Though he is originally from Texas, he has made many connections in the Las Vegas area and is ready to serve his new community through business ownership. Martin’s focus as a business owner is to hire more veterans and help them grow with the business. JDog Junk Removal & Hauling Summerlin opened on December 5th, and Martin already has one employee. He’s excited to hire more veterans in the future as well as buy more trucks so they can better serve the community and eventually become the number one junk removal service in the area.

1851 Franchise spoke with Kenneth Martin to learn more about his franchising journey with JDog Brands.

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Kenneth Martin: I was in aviation, specifically avionics, my entire career. I worked on various types of aircraft throughout my career, including A-10’s, F-15’s and F-16’s. I was in the Air Force from 2002 to 2008. I graduated from the University of North Texas in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Emergency Administration & Planning. Not long after I graduated, I started thinking about business ownership. I knew that I wanted a career where I could continue to move up and grow. I felt kind of stuck in my career and that’s when I heard about JDog Brands.

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

Martin: At first, the thought of becoming a franchisee wasn’t too enticing.  With franchising, you have the initial franchise fee and royalties and it isn’t fully autonomous. I now know that there are many benefits that come with franchising like marketing and brand recognition. If you are starting a business from scratch, no one knows who you are. With franchising, the name is already out there, and the brand already has a business model figured out. You automatically get to move 10 steps forward when you begin.

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

Martin: There are quite a few junk removal companies in this area. I know that at least one is veteran owned. But JDog is a national brand that is supported by a network of veterans from top to bottom. One of the biggest things to help us stand out is our truck wrap. That huge camo wrap really highlights that we are vets and, to be honest, you will see us coming a mile away. We also bring a military work ethic, which translates to us getting the job done right and right on time

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

Martin: As soon as my wife and I attended Discovery Day, we knew JDog was a great brand for us to work with. We loved everything we heard. I’m excited to bring the brand to the community because I already have somewhat of a footprint here. My wife and I are both from Texas, but we have a network here, and we feel bringing JDog here would be a great addition to our wonderful community

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

Martin: Ultimately, I want JDog Junk Removal & Hauling Summerlin to have a huge footprint in the valley. I want us to be the go-to for any junk removal needs.

Starting out, it’s just me and one employee on the truck. Over time, as my employee learns the ropes, I hope to move him into a truck commander position and hire one more employee to fill his previous position. That will enable me to get off the truck to focus on marketing and growing our business. I will add more trucks and employees when necessary.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Martin: Make sure you know that being a franchisee is the route you want to take. You should also understand that, as a franchisee, even though you are the owner of the company, you still have rules to follow. Be sure to weigh the pros and cons of franchising. The great thing about JDog Brands is that you have a wonderful support structure and a proven business model. 

ABOUT JDOG BRANDS: 

Headquartered in Berwyn, PA, JDog Brands was founded by Army Veteran Jerry Flanagan, JDog’s CEO, and his wife, Tracy Flanagan, when they recognized the struggle many Veterans faced when acclimating back to civilian life. JDog Junk Hauling & Removal and JDog Carpet Cleaning & Floor Care create business ownership opportunities exclusively for Veterans and their families with nearly 300 JDog franchises across the country. JDog Brands provide franchisees with comprehensive training and support for every step of their business ownership journey. For more information on franchise opportunities, visit jdogbrands.com.