Making the best of the unexpected
For Brayshaun Gibson, founding a junk removal business wasn’t a lifelong dream — it was an accident. The owner of JunkNMyTrunk Junk Removal stumbled into the business in 2024 after posting a simple Facebook status offering help with moving and junk removal.
“I had gotten access to a trailer,” Gibson recalls. “I made a Facebook status and asked who needed something moved or picked up, and my inbox went crazy. My phone was going off every day for like three months straight. And then I was like, oh, this is something I could possibly do for a long time and take seriously — and that’s what I did.”
Since officially registering his business in September 2024, JunkNMyTrunk has grown from a solo hustle to a structured operation. “I have two full-time employees,” Gibson shares. “And as demand grows, I have access to as many people as I need, honestly.”
More than just junk removal
While junk removal is the company’s primary service, Gibson has expanded into demolition work and has ambitions for even more growth.
“We’re looking at a big project right now for a company where we’ll be doing a lot of demolition,” he says. “Eventually, we’re going to get into dumpster rentals and porta-potties, but as of now, it’s primarily junk removal.”
His business plays an essential role in maintaining the community, particularly in underserved areas. “A lot of people leave stuff outside, so we’re cleaning up the neighborhood and the environment,” Gibson explains.
“Landlords deal with a lot of bogus tenants that leave stuff inside the home, so we help declutter spaces for entrepreneurs, business owners, and real estate investors. Anytime you can make a place cleaner, it’s a better place to be.”
Beyond aesthetics, Gibson sees his work as a way to contribute to the economic revitalization of Minneapolis. By providing professional cleanup services, his business helps property owners repurpose abandoned spaces for new housing and businesses, ultimately contributing to community stability. Additionally, as his business continues to expand, it creates more employment opportunities.
Challenges and rewards
Running a business comes with its challenges, and for Gibson the hardest part has been time management, money management, and finding reliable help.
“I’ve had to learn a lot on the go,” he says. “When you’re running a business, there’s no blueprint, especially if you don’t come from a background of entrepreneurs. You have to figure things out and adjust as you go.”
Despite these hurdles, he says the rewards make it worthwhile. “Having a positive impact on other people, being able to help people control their own destiny, and making my own money — those are the best parts.”
Looking ahead, Gibson has a vision beyond just growing his company. “I want to focus on education — helping people start their own businesses,” he says. “There are so many people out here with skills and ideas, but they don’t know where to start. If I can help someone else avoid some of the struggles I went through, that’s a win.”
Lessons learned
Reflecting on his journey, Gibson acknowledges the personal growth that has come with it. “I was self-sabotaging at times in life,” he admits.
“I went to jail, got my stuff together while I was in there. Got my mind together, got my experience together. I created a plan, came out, executed the plan, made some adjustments, and now I’m here.”
Gibson credits his incarceration time as a turning point in his life, giving him the clarity and discipline to build something for himself. He believes that mindset is a crucial factor in success.
“Success doesn’t come from luck — it comes from discipline and effort,” he says. “I had to get serious about what I wanted and stop making excuses.”
His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? “Focus. Hone in on exactly what you want to do, and do it. Don’t cut corners.”
The future
With plans for expansion, Gibson hopes to turn JunkNMyTrunk into a multi-service operation. “I see us getting into construction cleanup, more demolition work, and eventually waste management,” he says. “There’s a lot of opportunity in this industry, and I want to make sure we stay ahead.”
As he grows his business, Gibson also hopes to create job opportunities for others, particularly those looking for a fresh start. “There’s a lot of people who just need an opportunity,” he says. “If I can create jobs and help someone else get on their feet, that’s a big deal to me.”
From overcoming personal challenges to building a business that benefits his community, Brayshaun Gibson is proving that sometimes the best opportunities come from unexpected places. And as he continues to grow JunkNMyTrunk Junk Removal, his impact — both in business and in the lives of others — is only just beginning.
For more information, visit junknmytrunk.com.
Kiara Williams welcomes reader responses at kwilliams@spokesman-recorder.com