JDog Junk Removal Owner Gives Back in New Hampshire

MERRIMACK, NH - After Master Sergeant John B. Elias retired from U.S. Air Force Veteran in 2011, he was looking for job opportunities when he met Jerry Flanagan, CEO of JDog Junk Removal. Elias said the rest is history.

As the franchise owner of JDog Junk Removal in Merrimack, Elias cleans out people's homes and then donates, re-purposes, or recycles almost everything he collects. Elias tries to give back to the community as much as possible in the process, for example, in addition to recycling all cardboard and metal, he also donates items like dressers, lamps, etc. to the OutFITters Thrift Store in Manchester, which provides transition help to families in need. He also sends clothes, boots, and more to homeless Veterans at the Liberty House.

Elias, who has been deployed worldwide, including Cuba, Kyrgyzstan, United Arab Emirates, Philippines, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. During his time in the service, he has been awarded over a dozen honors including the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Medal and NATO Medal. He has been living in New Hampshire since 2012 with his two teenagers, Kathleen and John Jr.

Elias spent almost two decades with the the Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Prisons before deciding to become a JDog Franchise owner. This week, we spoke to Elias about his junk business and the challenges of being a small business owner.

Tell us how you got started, where the idea came from.

I am a Veteran with over 20 years of service in the Air Force as a Security Forces member. After I retired in 2011, I was looking for job opportunities and met Jerry Flanagan, CEO of JDog Junk Removal, at a Veteran job fair. The mission of empowering Veterans through entrepreneurship excited me. The idea of providing career and employment opportunities for Veterans is something I am passionate about. I opened my business in 2015.

Tell us about partnering with local charities/thrift stores.

I use several donation centers throughout southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. Nationwide, JDog Junk Removal strives to keep at least 60-80 percent of materials collected out of landfills, and I donate about 80 percent of the items I get from my jobs to donation centers and charity programs. This includes OutFITters Thrift Store, a family transition home in Manchester that supports families in need, as well as the Liberty House, a Veteran transition home that helps Veterans furnish their homes. Additional programs include VASH, Goodwill, Savers, Habitat for Humanity Restore, and the Make A Wish Project.

What's the biggest challenge to your business?

I think a challenge to this business is making people aware that we are more than just a junk removal company. We have a mission to create opportunities for Veterans and military families and are rooted in the military values of respect, integrity, and trust. This translates into outstanding customer experiences.

What's the biggest reward you get from doing this job?

The biggest reward is being able to help people in my community who are in need. For example, I recently donated a bedroom and living room set to a family that had no furniture. JDog Junk Removal allows me to continue to serve my community. Serving is an important part of a Veteran’s mindset.

Anything else you'd like to add?

For more information about JDog Junk Removal Merrimack, please visit: http://jdogjunkremoval.com/franchising/merrimack/