How do you turn an ordinary business into an extraordinary brand—and keep growing nearly four decades later? Brian Scudamore, Founder and CEO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and O2E Brands, shares how he transformed a junk-removal business he started at age 18 into an international home-services enterprise approaching $1 billion in annual revenue. From the defining day he fired his entire 11-person team to build a culture around finding the right people and treating them right, Brian reveals why exceptional customer experiences begin with employees, why simplicity is a CEO’s superpower, and how his “WTF—Willing to Fail” philosophy has shaped his entrepreneurial journey. He also explains why walking away from an unsuccessful business can be just as important as launching a successful one, how he is refocusing his organization around three strategic priorities, and why the greatest measure of success isn’t simply the money a company makes, but the difference it makes in people’s lives.
Recorded on September 3, 2026.
