35 Years In: A Few Things I’ve Learned Along the Way

Thirty-five years ago, I couldn’t have told you what this company would become. I didn’t have a five-year plan, let alone a thirty-five-year one. What I had was a willingness to work, a belief that there was a better way to do things, and a stubborn sense that if you treated people fairly, the rest would eventually follow.

Looking back now, what surprises me most isn’t how much has changed, but how much hasn’t.

At its core, this business has always been about problem-solving. Showing up when others don’t want to. Taking responsibility for the hard parts. Figuring it out when there isn’t a playbook. That was true in the early days, and it’s still true today, just at a different scale.

The Early Years

In 1991, we were focused on 'making green'—building a business that could survive. But as we grew, we saw too many corporate assets ending up in landfills. We realized that 'doing things the right way' had to include doing right by the environment.

In the beginning, everything was hands-on. Every decision mattered because there wasn’t much margin for error. You learned quickly, or you didn’t last long. There were long days, tough calls, and plenty of moments where quitting would’ve been the easier option. What kept me going wasn’t growth charts or big wins. It was momentum. One solved problem leads to the next opportunity. One relationship built on trust, opening the door to another. Slowly, something real started to take shape.

Growth Brings Responsibility

As the company grew, so did the weight of responsibility. Growth isn’t just about revenue or size; it’s about people. People who depend on the business for their livelihoods. Clients who trust you to deliver. Partners who expect you to stand by your word.

I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about making decisions when the answer isn’t obvious, owning the outcome, and staying accountable when things don’t go as planned. You don’t get everything right, but you do your best to get better.

The Team Makes the Difference

If there’s one thing I’m certain of after 35 years, it’s this: no business lasts without the right people. The team we have today, past and present, is the reason we’re still here.

Different roles, different personalities, different skill sets, but a shared commitment to doing the work the right way. I’m proud of the culture that’s been built over time, not because it’s perfect, but because it’s honest. People care. People step up. People take pride in what they do.

That doesn’t happen by accident.

Looking Ahead

Thirty-five years isn’t a finish line; it’s a checkpoint. As we double down on our 0% landfill priority for the year ahead, our mission is clearer than ever. We aren’t just moving furniture; we are stewards of a sustainable lifecycle.

What matters most moving forward is staying true to the principles that got us here: integrity, accountability, and respect, for our clients, our partners, and each other.

I’m grateful for everyone who’s been part of this journey, whether for a season or for decades. This milestone belongs to all of us.
Here’s to the work behind us, and the work still ahead.

Alongside this reflection, we’ve shared a timeline highlighting some of the moments that shaped how we work today.