Veteran-Owned Business Sets Down Roots In Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — JDog Junk Removal & Hauling sets itself apart from other businesses not just because the company tackles projects people really don't want to do, but also because it offers franchise opportunities exclusively to veterans and military family members.

Some military veterans have difficulty adjusting to life after the Armed Forces and JDog Junk Removal & Hauling aims to make that transition easier. In fact, owners are encouraged to hire other veterans with the goal of reducing the veteran unemployment rate to below 1 percent.

Howard County Marine Corps veteran Theodore Proia jumpstarted the Elkridge-based JDog Junk Removal & Hauling late last year, serving individuals and businesses in Elkridge, Clarksville, Columbia, Hanover, Odenton, Fulton and Jessup.

He first served eight years in the Marine Corps and three years in the Maryland National Guard. He was deployed as a member of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to Iraq and Afghanistan. Proia also was stationed in North Carolina, Maryland and Hawaii.

After leaving service in October 2016, Proia worked in private security. But he knew there was something more for him out there.

"After serving in the military and then working in private security, I found myself spending a lot of time away from home. I wanted to find something that would allow me to have a little more flexibility so I could spend more time with my family," Proia told Patch. "I spent almost a year looking at different franchise opportunities, from restaurants to power washing, but the moment I came across JDog, my search was over."

Once Proia met with JDog's founders and other corporate team members, he just knew it was the right fit. But it wasn't easy getting started.

"JDog’s commitment to veterans and military family members sealed the deal for me. I knew that becoming a JDog business owner was the right fit for me and my family. That was just the beginning. Every new business has start-up expenses. We needed a truck, insurance, a marketing plan and working capital, so I set out to get a small business loan. A few companies refused to even file an application, but I didn’t give up. After securing funding we were off to the races, working with JDog headquarters to get up and running. We officially started taking jobs in December 2020," he said.

JDog Junk Removal & Hauling Elkridge had taken flight during a pandemic, which inspired Proia.

"I was excited about the challenge of opening a business during the pandemic. I knew that if I could get a business up and running now, that nothing would be impossible, and that I would be able to make a positive impact in the community by creating job opportunities for others," he said.

JDog Junk Removal & Hauling Elkridge serves as a full-service commercial and residential junk removal and hauling business offering everything from light demolition to clearing out cluttered attic spaces, basements and garages to shed and barn removal all while recycling or repurposing 60 to 80 percent of every load.

"We have officially been in business for two full months December was a little slow for us, but we were able to knock out any job that came our way. January saw more jobs on the books because customers had already begun to spread the word about our work," Proia said. "I’m confident that February and beyond will be even better as our business continues to grow. We take pride in our commitment to great customer service, excellent work and honest, upfront pricing."

Request a free estimate or call 844-GET-JDOG to make an appointment.