Brian Scudamore

Date: May 7, 2015

Name: Leadership, Culture and Growth: Strategies for driving bottom line results

Presenter: Brian Scudamore

Entrepreneurs need to find ways to build their own culture, their right people, and the right tools to sustain the best result of their companies. In addition, many entrepreneurs are searching for ways to utilize their resources effectively for maximum outcome. Local Leaders event, hosted by Small Business BC, invites Brian Scudamore, the Founder of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, to discuss his leadership journey from zero to the top. Entrepreneurs can find this event benefit with the information and guidance from Brian Scudamore.

Brian Scudamore is the CEO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?. As one of the BC’s most successful entrepreneurs, Scudamore receives awards from The Globe & Mails’ Top 40 Under 40 and Fortune Magazine’s Small Business Best Bosses. Scudamore founded his company since 18 years old and successfully franchise his operation across Canada, US and Australia. His passion is in leadership pushes him to develop two more brands. Furthermore, Scudamore’s leadership skills drive many of his motivated staffs to the top.

Brian Scudamore shares during his early years, he dropped out 14 high schools from San Francisco to Vancouver. Even though Scudamore could not stay in school, he still has the passion of learning, especially learning from others. Moreover, Scudamore believes as a learner, it is important to keep asking questions. Scudamore emphasizes if there is rule, he will find a way to break them.

Scudamore believes there are three elements every entrepreneur needs to have to create their businesses: vision, people and system. Vision is considered to be the most essential because entrepreneurs need to know where their directions. Afterwards, they need to find the right people. Lastly, there must be process system to do things well.

Scudamore began his journey at the age of 18. He purchased a truck and implemented a basic business model of recycling. This basic business taught Scudamore the mission of vision. There was a time when Scudamore decided to sell his business to focus on school, but he declined because Scudamore learns more in business than school. By talking to the press, Scudamore had a rare opportunity to share journey to the world. His enthusiasm and passion expose his business on the front page of local newspaper.

In 1993, his dad wanted him to finish his college degree. Scudamore wanted to prove his dad he could do it; therefore, he managed to triple the current business operation. In 1994, he successfully reached half million revenue in his business, but he realized he has the wrong people. After he lay off all employees, Scudamore took the full responsibility. He believed it is important to find the right people and treat them right.

“If people are not fit, it is hard to continue”

In 1995, Scudamore build the business like a franchise. The year after, he managed to reach 1 million dollar revenue in his business. His business is qualified in Young Entrepreneur Organization. In the organization, Scudamore learned many valuable lessons, tactic and strategies to expand his business vision. Moreover, Scudamore created a program called “Mental Business Advisor” to mentor young entrepreneurs to growth their business.

In 1999, He felt unsatisfied with his business and started to question his own leadership ability when he discovered the people around him are building more success than him. He later discovered his new vision and saw the new possibility. Scudamore shared his vision to people and work with them to make it happen.

“Crazy ideas will only be great idea if you stick with it”

In 1998, Scudamore reached out for mentors. He took all the business rejections and tried to find ways to solve them. In addition, he redesigned his logo and obtained the ownership of the phone number of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?

In 1999, Scudamore found his first partner. Scudamore believed by sharing the great vision to great people, they will come and help. In fact, his partner successfully expanded the business in Toronto.

“People will follow the first leader”

In 2002, people were seeking franchise opportunity from Scudamore. By using the power of PR, Scudamore managed to achieve the goal of franchising 30 locations in 30 different cities. 2004 was a celebration year for Scudamore and Scudamore will continue support people and focus to take his great company to even better.

Scudamore believes by treating people right, he should not just look at the finance. Instead, he should look at the people side as well. Therefore, he changes employee vacation from 3 weeks to 5 weeks.

In 2005, he made one of the hardest decisions in his business life, which is to fire his best friend. Scudamore suggests entrepreneurs to divide the page into half. One side shows what entrepreneurs are good at and the other side shows what they are weak at. Next, entrepreneurs need to find people who have the ability to complete the weak side of the list.

“I love what I do, and I make the ordinary thing to exceptional”

Questions and answers

Scudamore mentions the most important moments from his mentors are that they give him confident and inspiration to continue his vision. Scudamore believes intrapreneurship is important. He loves to see people grow and show how great they can be. In his business, he lets his employee to feel they are working in the best business in the industry.

A great mentor will introduce other mentors when they are not able to answer the question. It is important to keep in contact with them. Scudamore recommends entrepreneurs to ask because people are willing to help. Scudamore will invite his competitors to events to learn from them.

Technology plays a huge role in his business. It systemizes the operations. Scudamore encourages his employees to take the business model and expand it to other businesses because this shows they are doing it right.

Force, faith and effort are the three words that Scudamore goes by. To create trust, entrepreneurs need to constantly connect with people to build trust. Entrepreneurs need to create a one page system. They need to start small and keep it simple.

“Find the right people, they will retain themselves.