Meet Our Junk Hauling Heroes: Josh Early

1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to join the team?

My name is Josh Early and I am a senior at KSU studying computer science. I joined Up Up and Away Junk Hauling (UUA) almost 3 years ago when I was looking for a job after moving to Kennesaw. My sister sent me the job posting from Taylor (who we attended high school with) and said, “he is a great guy.” 

2. Can you describe your role and what a typical day looks like for you?

I am the Operations Manager for UUA. My typical day on the truck is similar to that of a team lead – running jobs, giving estimates, making efficient routing decisions. A big part of my job is proactively (sometimes reactively) putting out fires. Sometimes that looks like changing who is going to what job, helping make dump decisions with team leads, giving advice on how to quote odd jobs… you get the idea!

3. What are some of the most interesting or unusual items you’ve hauled?

Some of my most interesting finds? A brand new grill someone won in a raffle and never used, a 1/500 Playboy skateboard, and a brand new set of furniture that had barely been used.

4. Can you share a memorable experience or a particularly rewarding moment from your time here?

I have always wanted a motorcycle and with my time and effort here at UUA I have been able to achieve that dream. Other than that every time you have a client feel overwhelmed with happiness/excitement after we complete a job is always rewarding.

5. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced on the job, and how did you overcome them?

Rain and heat are always challenging. Rain can lead to challenging conditions where slipping in the mud becomes a factor, plus the added humidity post-rain. Heat is what it is – we are in Georgia where it’s humid, it’s hot, you’re just gonna sweat. Biggest way to overcome this is just to keep encouraging yourself and the people you work with and drink plenty of water.

6. What do you enjoy most about working in junk hauling?

Everyday is different, no two jobs are exactly the same. I love how we always find time to laugh and build camaraderie with our coworkers everyday.

7. What do you like to do in your free time when you’re not hauling junk?

I enjoy cooking, playing video games, and spending time with friends and family.

8. How would you describe the team dynamic at our company?

Our team is widely diverse but at the same time really connected. There is not one person here that I would be upset working alongside. When one crew finishes early they always check with whoever is out to see if they can help.

9. What do you think is the key to providing excellent customer service in our industry? 

Excellent customer service starts with the customer, catering to their needs/wants whenever possible. Making sure that you understand what is being asked of you and always completing the job with a smile and cheerful attitude.

10. How do we stand out at UUA from our competition?

At UUA you can trust any one of our team members inside or outside of your home/business. No project is too big or too small for us. All of our guys strive to give every client the best experience possible, by sticking to our core values: hard work, encouragement, reliability, and openhandedness.

11. What impact do you hope we make at UUA in the community we serve?

I hope to help everyone get rid of the clutter and unneeded stress that junk can cause in your life. From being overwhelmed about the garage that’s slipped away or the basement that’s turned into a storage unit… at UUA I hope to help everyone Defeat Junk Today! Call Up Up and Away!