Question: Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business.
Answer: Junk Hunks was started by Missoula natives Connor Lewis and Cole Pine, who saw an opportunity to bring dependable, hands-on junk removal services to their hometown. We’re not a national chain passing through Montana — we’re your neighbors, and we built this business around the kind of service we’d want for our own families.
Question: Kindly give us a brief description about yourself.
Answer: Connor Lewis: Born and raised in Missoula, Montana, I went to high school at Hellgate, graduating in 2013. After high school I went to work for Costco, climbing the ladder in retail, and decided it wasn’t for me. From there, I helped start Junk Hunks in 2023, and I’m very proud that we are helping our community while running a successful business.
Cole Pine: Born and raised in Missoula, Montana, I went to high school at Sentinel, graduating in 2014. I then attended the University of Montana from 2015–2019, earning a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. After college I started working at Costco, where I climbed the corporate ladder and decided it wasn’t for me. From there, I helped start Junk Hunks in 2023.
Question: What inspired you to start your business? How did the idea come about?
Answer: Junk Hunks was inspired by seeing a growing need for dependable junk removal services in the Missoula area. As lifelong Missoula locals, we wanted to build a business that helps people through everything from simple cleanouts to major life transitions, while providing reliable, friendly service. We also wanted to make a positive impact by recycling and donating as much as possible, helping keep our community clean and reducing waste.
Question: What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Answer:
- Put your customers first — your reputation is your most valuable asset, and great service leads to repeat business and referrals.
- Don’t be afraid to start small. Stay consistent, work hard every day, and focus on steady growth rather than overnight success.
- Give back to your community. Building strong relationships and operating with integrity creates long-term trust and helps your business stand
Question: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Answer:
- Sales & communication — the ability to win customers and explain junk removal services clearly.
- Organization & logistics — efficiently scheduling jobs, managing pickups, and handling disposal.
- Work ethic & problem-solving — staying consistent, handling heavy work, and solving on-the-job challenges quickly.
Question: How many hours do you work a day on average?
Answer: We work about 10 hours a day on average.
Question: To what do you most attribute your success?
Answer: Hard work, consistency, and providing reliable junk hauling services.
Question: How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Answer: We primarily market our business through Google and word of mouth. Our most successful form of marketing has been referrals from satisfied customers, supported by our online presence.
Question: Where did your organization’s funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it?
Answer: We both already had trucks and were able to pool just enough personal savings to put a down payment on a dump trailer. That combination of existing equipment and limited startup capital is what allowed us to get the business off the ground.
Question: What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Answer: The best way to achieve long-term success is through a reliable junk removal business built on consistency, excellent customer service, and efficient, sustainable operations.
Question: Where do you see yourself and your business in 5–10 years?
Answer: In 5–10 years, I see Junk Hunks as a leading, well-established junk removal company known for reliability, speed, and great customer service. The goal is to continue expanding into new service areas, building a strong team, and becoming the go-to name in our region. We want the business to keep growing steadily while maintaining strong profitability and a reputation for quality work and professionalism.
