In this episode of Empire Builders, host Tommy Yionoulis sits down with Jeff Hill, a multi-franchise owner in the 1-800-GOT-JUNK space and co-founder of Repurpose Center. Jeff shares his journey from corporate management to entrepreneurship, discussing the complexities of junk removal, recycling, and building a sustainable business model.

The Hidden Costs of Junk Removal & Recycling

Jeff breaks down why diverting junk from landfills is more expensive than most people realize. With transportation, storage, and processing costs, businesses often struggle to make recycling profitable. He shares insights into the industry’s challenges and inefficiencies.

Surviving Economic Downturns in Business

Jeff reflects on growing his junk removal business during the 2008 financial crisis, only to face a major downturn in 2010. He discusses how external economic factors can make or break businesses and how he adapted to stay afloat.

Scaling a Franchise: Lessons from 1-800-GOT-JUNK

Starting with a single truck, Jeff strategically expanded his business across Western Washington and into new markets. He shares insights into scaling, acquiring neighboring franchises, and the importance of operational efficiency.

The Recycling Industry’s Broken System

Despite efforts to recycle, many materials still end up in landfills. Jeff and Tommy discuss systemic issues in waste management, including corporate sustainability challenges and misleading recycling practices.

Building a Business That Aligns with Sustainability

Jeff’s passion for sustainability led him to launch Gone, a new venture focused on recycling and reselling high-end furniture. He explains how this business model keeps valuable goods in circulation and attracts investors.

Overcoming Financial & Personal Challenges

From liquidating his 401(k) to make payroll to navigating a cancer diagnosis, Jeff’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to resilience. He shares hard-earned lessons on overcoming adversity and making tough business decisions.

The Future of Waste Management & Circular Economy

Jeff envisions a world where recycling is built into product design. He highlights global innovations, such as Singapore’s waste-to-energy systems, and discusses how businesses can drive meaningful change in the industry.

Join Tommy and Jeff as they dive into the realities of junk removal, the business of recycling, and how entrepreneurs can build profitable, sustainable ventures in the waste management space.

Links And Resources:

• Repurposecenter
• 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
• Jeff Hill on LinkedIn
• Tommy Yionoulis on Linkedin
• OpsAnalitica

At OpsAnalitica, we empower organizations to overcome operational challenges, ensuring sustained efficiency, quality, and productivity for unmatched success.

Ready to see how we can optimize your operations? Schedule a Demo.

Are you a franchise owner with an inspiring success story? We’d love to hear from you! Contact us at info@opsanalitica.com to be a guest on our podcast!

Thank you for joining us this week! Are you interested in subscribing to Empire...

In this episode of Empire Builders, host Tommy Yionoulis welcomes Arthur Cummins, co-founder of The Real Food Academy, to discuss how he and his wife Maria built a thriving cooking school after facing financial hardship. Arthur shares how they transitioned from real estate and financial services into the food industry by accident, starting with Maria’s children’s cooking classes in 2008. What began as a side project grew into a full-fledged business, teaching kids and adults about healthy eating and nutrition.

Turning Passion into a Business:

Arthur explains how Maria’s passion for teaching kids about healthy eating became a business that flourished organically. After losing their real estate investments during the 2008 recession, they leaned into their growing demand for cooking classes and expanded beyond schools into community spaces.

Scaling and Franchising a Unique Model:

The couple rebranded as The Real Food Academy in 2014 to accommodate adults and corporate clients. With demand soaring, they moved into a larger facility and began exploring franchising in 2023. Arthur shares the challenges and complexities of franchising, emphasizing the importance of selecting the right franchise partners and ensuring quality control.

The Financial Struggles of Entrepreneurship:

Arthur recounts their early struggles with no investors, operating on tight margins, and overcoming an unethical contractor who inflated their buildout costs. He and Tommy discuss the unpredictable nature of business, the costly lessons learned, and the resilience needed to push through setbacks.

The Power of Persistence in Business:

Tommy and Arthur reflect on the entrepreneurial journey, stressing the importance of perseverance. Tommy shares an analogy about sailing—once you've committed to a direction, there's no turning back. They discuss how success often comes from persistence, making strategic decisions, and staying committed even when the road gets tough.

Join Tommy and Arthur for an inspiring conversation about resilience, growth, and building a business that makes an impact. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, this episode is packed with valuable insights into navigating financial challenges and scaling a purpose-driven business.

Links And Resources:

• The Real Food Academy
• Arthur Cummins on LinkedIn
• Tommy Yionoulis on Linkedin
• OpsAnalitica

At OpsAnalitica, we empower organizations to overcome operational challenges, ensuring sustained efficiency, quality, and productivity for unmatched success.

Ready to see how we can optimize your operations? Schedule a Demo.

Are you a franchise owner with an inspiring success story? We’d love to hear from you! Contact us at info@opsanalitica.com to be a guest on our podcast!

Thank you for joining us this week! Are you interested in subscribing to Empire Builders? We would love to hear your feedback! Connect with us on

Are you a franchise owner with an inspiring success story? We’d love to hear from you! Contact us at info@opsanalitica.com to be a guest on our podcast!

In this episode of Empire Builders, host Tommy Yionoulis welcomes Aaron Bakken, an entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in franchising. From navigating the challenges of underperforming franchise support to creating scalable systems for success, Aaron shares valuable lessons for aspiring and current franchise owners. He discusses his journey with Spray Foam Genie, a venture that underscored the importance of thorough due diligence, and Eagle One, a customer experience franchise that delivers innovative solutions while supporting military families.

Key Highlights:

• Navigating Franchise Success and Setbacks:
• Aaron reflects on the highs and lows of franchise ownership, emphasizing the need for rigorous evaluation of franchise disclosure documents, independent research, and validation from franchisees before committing.
• Eagle One’s Mission-Driven Success:
• As a board member and franchisee, Aaron explains how Eagle One’s services, including AI-enhanced direct mail and domestic call centers, create value for businesses while employing military spouses as remote workers.
• Financial Preparedness for Aspiring Franchise Owners:
• Aaron stresses the importance of securing sufficient capitalization to weather unforeseen challenges and avoid the pitfalls of underfunding in the critical early stages of franchise ownership.
• Advice for Prospective Franchisees:
• He highlights the need to approach Discovery Days with caution, seek unfiltered feedback from current franchisees, and evaluate the credibility and supportiveness of franchisors.
• EV Charging Stations and Passive Income:
• The conversation explores Aaron’s insights into low-maintenance business models like EV charging stations, drawing parallels with vending machines as scalable, systematic investments.
• Building Resilient Businesses:
• Aaron shares personal strategies for ensuring continuity during crises, from leveraging automation to cross-training employees, and the importance of creating a business that works without constant owner involvement.

Join Tommy and Aaron for an honest and inspiring discussion about building sustainable businesses, navigating the franchise landscape, and achieving true entrepreneurial freedom. This episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone looking to succeed in franchising or passive income ventures.

Links And Resources:

• Aaron Bakken - Franchise Consultant
• Aaron Bakken on LinkedIn

• Tommy Yionoulis on Linkedin
• OpsAnalitica

At OpsAnalitica, we empower organizations to overcome operational challenges, ensuring sustained efficiency, quality, and productivity for unmatched success.

Ready to see how we can optimize your operations? Schedule a Demo.

Thank you for joining us this week! Are you interested in subscribing to Empire Builders? We would love to hear your feedback! Connect with us on Spotify or