The Great Franchisee | Navy Veteran Opens JDog Junk Removal and Hauling to Support Other Veterans

When Antonio Vicens joined the Navy right out of high school, it was mainly out of necessity. But 20 years later, he is grateful for his time in the military because it gave him opportunities for a successful future that he might not have had otherwise. Part of that successful future for Vicens is opening JDog Junk Removal and Hauling in Camden and Glynn counties.

Vicens learned about JDog’s veteran-centric business model and couldn’t wait to help fellow veterans find careers after serving their country. It’s a cause Vicens holds close to his heart, and he is looking forward to growing and expanding his location so he can help more veterans in the community. As a business owner, Vicens has already become an active part of the community by helping with organizations and events, such as a 5k race taking place on October 22, with all proceeds going towards the JDog Foundation.

1851 Franchise spoke with Vicens 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?

Antonio Vicens: I joined the Navy right out of high school and served 20 years as a submariner. I was in the engineering field on various warships. I even did a tour with deep ocean rescue vehicles. In September 2021, I retired as a senior chief. At the beginning of last year, I started looking into paths to follow after retiring, but I wasn’t hearing back from jobs, so I began applying for entry-level positions. My wife’s cousin posted a job in Jacksonville for JDog. I applied, and when he saw my application, he told me to instead just buy a JDog. That same day I began looking into franchising with 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?

Vicens: I knew the concept of franchising and understood how it worked. I had owned businesses in the past, so I have ownership experience, but it’s completely different when you franchise. You get more support and a great framework to start with.

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

Vicens: For the most part, I’m the only full-service junk removal company in my territory. I’m also a veteran living in a very veteran-centric community due to the Navy submarine base being located so close. A lot of my customers will say that they hired my team and me because I’m a veteran.

I’m also very involved in the community through different organizations and my church. I make it a priority to give back to the community. 10% of any income that my JDog brings in, we donate to different charities and causes throughout the community.

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

Vicens: I loved the concept of JDog the second I heard about it. I never considered that a veteran-owned concept existed. Personally, I would choose a business owned by a vet for everything if I could. I just really loved the brand and its standards.

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

Vicens: My goal is to put myself in a position where I’m financially stable and the business is consistently growing. I want the business to grow mainly so I can continue to create careers for veterans.

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

Vicens: I come from very humble beginnings. I joined the military out of necessity, but it became more to me with time. Because of the military, my sister and I could take ourselves out of poverty. After 20 years, I learned so much from the military, and I believe that it prepared me for the next chapter of my life: business ownership. I learned that you can do anything you put your mind to, and I’m looking forward to bringing that mindset to a business.

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

Vicens: Be prepared to work hard and always be on call. The failure stories you hear are mostly because people aren’t willing to put in the work. You always need to remember that you are a representative of the brand you choose. So follow the model because it works. It worked before you bought it, and it can help you be successful.