What started as a summer business has turned into one of the fastest growing franchises in the United States. Omar Soliman decided XBOX was not going to be his only excitement one college summer as he began putting up flyers for a junk removal service. The same night he put up the flyers, his phone began to ring. Omar was feeling good, had a wad of cash in his pockets, was wining and dining the ladies, but most importantly had a great idea. During his Senior Year at the University of Miami, while nodding off in class, Omar overheard his professor talking about a business plan competition. His decision to compete was a good one because he ended up winning 1st place and $10,000. Omar was already set on the corporate world though upon graduation, so he went back to Washington D.C. to his boring job.

Omar couldn’t stand the corporate world and neither could his future business partner Nick Friedman. They had a solution: College Hunks Hauling Junk, a junk removal service. Omar has not looked back since he and Nick founded College Hunks Hauling Junk in 2005. Today, Omar and Nick are pursuing their growing vision as their junk hauling business expands across the United States.

Oh and ladies Omar is kind of a celebrity…you’ve probably seen the “Junk Man” on a popular television show. We’ll let Omar tell you about that one though.

What are your goals for College Hunks Hauling Junk?

We want to be the largest employer of college students in the nation. Our vision for CHHJ is to be the launch pad for aspiring entrepreneurs. The experience we provide our mostly young staff can give them the tools to succeed in any business venture.

You’re kind of a big deal (2008 Inc. Magazine’s Top 30 Under 30, youngest franchiser, other accomplishments). When did it hit you that you were an entrepreneur and have had some pretty amazing accomplishments?

It’s funny because the awards don’t really strike a chord with me. I think the moment when I sat back in amazement is when we had our most recent franchise convention. 28 franchise partners from all over the country flew into Tampa. It’s an incredible feeling to see all these people that share the same vision that I had. It’s one of those moments when I say “wow we have come a long way from hauling junk in a beat up van.”

You have done a lot of guerrilla marketing. How and why has that worked for you?

The guerrilla marketing is effective because it’s very affordable and can reach a large audience. But it wouldn’t be as effective if our company name and colors didn’t stand out the way they do. People drive by and see an orange and green sign or truck that says College Hunks Hauling Junk and they always do a double take. It creates lots of word of mouth and it’s something people talk about at the dinner table.

If I am thinking about starting a franchise, what questions should I ask myself?

What industry do I see as growing?

How much capital do I have to invest?

Do I want to pay top dollar for a premium franchise (McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts) or try and join an emerging franchise system for less money/risk?

Can I follow a system and formula?

What franchise excites me? Can I see myself doing this every day?

Do I have any skills that would help in a specific business?

Why or why not would you recommend franchising?

Franchising is about going into business for yourself but not by yourself. 90% of new businesses fail in the first year where as 90% of franchises succeed. They already have a winning formula and system. It’s a great way to start a business without as much risk and you get to have a support system behind you. Sometimes true entrepreneurs are not good franchisees because they don’t like to follow systems and their own creativity can get in the way.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you as an entrepreneur?

The funniest thing that has happened to me as an entrepreneur was being asked to appear on Bravo’s Millionaire Matchmaker. We wanted to try and promote the business any way possible so we told the producers that I wanted to take my date to haul junk. They loved the idea and even though it was the worst date ever, everyone had a blast filming it. It provided tons of laughs for our employees and friends and it was one of the highest rated Bravo episodes of all time.

Being an entrepreneur is tough. If someone offered you $500,000 a year guaranteed, to work for them, would you take it and forget about your journey?

In the movie “Notorious” Sean “Puffy” Combs tells the Notorious BIG “Don’t chase the paper, chase the dream” I have found that the most successful entrepreneurs are the ones that do just that. My motivation comes from making my dream a reality and not from money. So I would turn down the offer…politely.

If College Hunks Hauling Junk went bankrupt tomorrow (it obviously won’t) would you go back to a corporate job?

Never! Once an entrepreneur always an entrepreneur. I will always be involved in starting new businesses.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I never really knew what I wanted to be. Nothing interested me other than sports. I hated school and was always in detention. I never knew that I suffered from entrepreneurship.

What advice can you offer to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Ideas mean nothing without actions. We all have had great ides but unless we act on them they are nothing more than that. Also, too many aspiring entrepreneurs are scared of failure when really they should embrace it. The greatest entrepreneurs attribute their success to failing. So borrowing a tagline from Nike; “Just Do It!”

Anything else you would like to add?

We have an awesome book coming out called Effortless Entrepreneur “Work Smart Play Hard Make Millions”. It’s going to go down in history as the most fun book about business. You can order a copy here.

Thanks Omar!

Follow Omar on Twitter
Check on College Hunks Website

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