How Colorado Teen Carter Grandbois Built a $15,000-a-Month Junk Removal Business
Carter Grandbois, an 18-year-old student living in Colorado Springs, has turned a side hustle started at age 16 into a junk-removal business capable of billing as much as $15,000 during busy months.
What Happened
At 16, while many classmates sought traditional part-time employment in retail or food service, Carter Grandbois observed a common problem in his neighbourhood: residents and local businesses possessed unwanted items such as old furniture, appliances, yard waste, and construction debris, but lacked the means or desire to transport them to disposal sites. While professional removal options existed, they were often slow to respond or costly for minor jobs.
To address this gap, Grandbois launched his hauling venture with minimal initial capital. He borrowed a trailer from a family friend and used an accessible vehicle to tow it. Advertising primarily through local community groups on Facebook and Instagram, he offered rapid, competitively priced clean-outs for neighbours and family acquaintances, frequently providing same-day or next-day service.
To build credibility, Grandbois utilised social media platforms by publishing before-and-after photos, short explanatory clips, and time-lapse videos documenting cleared spaces. As demand broadened to include landlords, property managers, contractors, and commercial clients, he reinvested earnings to purchase a dedicated hauling truck and a more reliable trailer. To manage larger jobs without recurring overhead, he recruited friends and acquaintances on a flexible, per-job basis for weekend and after-school shifts.
Key Highlights
- Grandbois launched his junk-hauling operation at age 16 using a borrowed trailer and social media promotion.
- The Colorado Springs enterprise now generates up to $15,000 during peak spring and summer months.
- Revenue is driven by a mix of residential clean-outs, estate clearances, tenant turnover work for landlords, and contractor debris removal.
- Service pricing is evaluated by volume, weight, and necessary labour, often quoted directly from photos submitted by clients.
- Operations are staffed flexibly on a per-job basis rather than maintaining a fixed permanent payroll.
Why This Matters
Grandbois’s trajectory demonstrates how a conventional service business can achieve steady revenue by resolving basic everyday community challenges. Rather than relying on substantial startup capital or proprietary technology, the model leverages standard equipment, flexible labour, transparent social media portfolios, and responsive local customer service to establish a sustainable income stream.
What to Watch Next
As he finishes high school, Grandbois is evaluating future pathways for the company. Potential growth plans under consideration include widening the business’s geographic service area, acquiring additional hauling trucks, and taking on more crew members. He is also considering introducing related offerings such as light demolition, moving assistance, and yard maintenance, while deciding whether to expand operations during college or utilise the business as a foundation for alternative ventures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Carter Grandbois’s business earn?
The business can bill up to $15,000 during peak months, particularly in spring and summer when seasonal demand for residential and commercial clean-outs is highest.
How did the business start without heavy initial funding?
Grandbois began by borrowing a trailer from a family friend, utilizing a vehicle he had access to, and securing initial clients through free posts on local social media groups.
What types of customers use the service?
Clients include homeowners clearing estates or clutter, landlords preparing rental units between occupancies, contractors disposing of construction debris, and small businesses discarding packaging or old equipment.
Source: Reported by Fortune and The Times of India.