Speaker 1: 0:30

My name is Edwin and I am the proud owner of Edwin's Hauling Services. We are located in Loudoun County. We serve for Northern Virginia, maryland, dc and we travel. We do moving. We've been all the way down to Florida, south Carolina and, yeah, we help anyone, anyone who's in need of hauling services.

Speaker 2: 0:55

Amazing. Yeah, now take me back. What initially drew you to kind of this world, the world of hauling? Give me a quick like overview of your journey.

Speaker 1: 1:05

Oh, my goodness, yeah, well, I actually I started working at the, at the Lownd County landfill actually here in Leesburg, and then I worked there for about 10 years and then I began, you know, I began to see people grow. Like I've seen people come in guys come in with a small business Next thing, you know, they're like my goodness, you know. So that was really cool to see within those timeframe that, like, this is something that we, that is possible that people do and you can grow. And I was like this is something that we, that is possible that people do and you can grow. And I was like, okay, and so I'm behind the scenes kind of watching people, right, and so I, um, and so I was like, okay, well, I know, like I know a little bit of waste or what do we do, what do you know?

Speaker 1: 1:51

And then I, uh, yeah, and then there were some circumstances, 2012, where I lost that job and I was forced to really rethink my life For a year and a half. I had no idea what I was going to do, and so I think what I would say, like what got me into this, it was a desire to help people. I think that was it. It's like how, because it was something that was a transformation to happen with me. I, you know, I hit a low bottom and I found myself just like devastated, broken, and I just didn't know what my life was going to be. And one of the things that I would say that my faith where I came to faith, I came to believe in God and I mean, that's just how it is. I came to believe that God had a better plan for me and I think I yeah, I asked for a new beginning. Pretty much it was a new beginning and what do I do with my life? What's my future going to be like? And one of the things first thing that came into mind was that it was put in my mind was you're going to go out and you're going to go help my people. That's my calling, that's what I do. What I do it is to go via maximum service to anyone and everyone possible, and Edwin's Hauling Services was born out of that desire to go out and help other people and help people in need, our community, and so Edwin's Hauling Services is just a channel, a means by which I get to serve my community, and Edwins-Holland Service is just.

Speaker 1: 4:04

It has been a year and eight months 2024, january 2024, is when I decided to go full time. I don't know if that was my decision because, thankfully, I went back. Actually, they hired me back at the Loudoun County Landfill after a while and then I was like I just can't do this anymore. I got to go and so I started doing this thing on the side, right Edwin's Hauling Services. I was doing it on the side and then there came a point, 2023, where I was like I can't do this anymore. I cannot be working. I need to go out and do this thing.

Speaker 1: 4:44

What my con has been? Go out. I was like, okay, I don't know if I could do this, but you're gonna do it because I't. So that's been my. That's where, 2024, edwin just came out and he's like, okay, I'm going to do this, I'm going to go out, and it's been a beautiful journey of learning and growing. I was like, dang it. You know, I thought I had it figured out, but no, there's just so much to learn and I'm learning a lot through this business me personally, and then what business looks like. I never, you know, own a business. I'm like, well, I'm thinking.

Speaker 1: 5:23

I'm just going to go and work hard and good. No, there's more to that.

Speaker 2: 5:28

Yeah, absolutely, there's a lot more to that. So anyways thanks, and we always have to be open to learning and that's something that you are. So that's amazing and it's so beautiful how you kind of found your way into doing what you're doing. So, yeah, you mentioned how special it is to kind of serve the Loudoun County community. How does that local connection influence the way that you serve your clients?

Speaker 1: 5:52

I think I've been living in Lowndes County since 1998. So I've been here for a long time and I feel like these are my people, this is my community, this is my home, this is where I grew up, this is where I went to school, this is where all my joys and pains are at. My joys and pains are at you know this community, this place has seen me at my lowest, but it's seen me on my highs and so. But when I was at my lowest, I think in general, my family and community, they're just there've been so much love that have been poured out to me when I was at my lowest right. So much grace and so much love and so much help that people wanted to help me.

Speaker 1: 6:44

There was a point where I didn't have a car. I lost my car. I was riding on a bicycle right. I was running around and people were so willing to like Edwin, we'll give you a ride, we're you over there, strangers, and so to me that that service, or even giving back to what has been given to me it's I do out of, like it doesn't cost me a thing, like it doesn't cost me, it's not like, oh, it's more like, man, I get to help people, people. I get to give somebody who is walking on the side of the road and be like hey man, you want a ride, let's go, I'll take you wherever you want, because somebody did that for me.

Speaker 2: 7:24

And that's the best feeling, too, to pay forward things that you've been given. It's really beautiful, kind of. In the same vein, what does a lasting impression look like for you when you're working with a customer?

Speaker 1: 7:41

you made one on megan so I think for me, I came from a place of very low self-esteem, very quiet, kid, very to myself and nervous, and even today I experienced that. But that's not who I am. I experienced some of those things. But one of the things that I like to do is, like this world needs, or for me, is to bring a positive attitude towards wherever I go, one of my favorite things that I like to do whenever I go into a new client, it's like I want to go and be like good for you, nice, how are you? They're like well, I'm not ready for that yet, yes, but I think for me it is the first time that I go knock on a client's door and say good morning, how are you this morning, and I think that first impression to me is so important, right. And then comes the work and I do that.

Speaker 1: 9:04

But it's the walk into a stranger's house and being like good morning, my name is Edwin, and you're like oh my gosh, you're the Edwin, I am that guy, you know, and it just starts that way. And so to bring light into somebody who may be struggling, especially when I help people move, it is so stressful, they are just so like kind of overwhelmed. And then there comes this guy good morning, you know, and I've had, I've had people like man I'm, this is like I don't even think about moving this. You made it so comfort at ease, right that we're, everything is okay, you know. So that's kind of how I approach, like what. What's my lasting impression is it's the first hey, good morning. Good morning, isabella, how are you? Now, it wasn't like that, because just, but you know, that's just to inspire others right to to live out, get out of the stress and all of that.

Speaker 2: 10:08

So yeah, and that's especially important nowadays because everything is so stressful not only moving, but just like the hustle of every day can be so stressful and that's something that I really took away from. I mean, you made a lasting impression on me at the Loudoun County Social Collective just with your ending speech, because it gave me that second to pause, kind of similar to when you, you know, are knocked on a client's door and saying good morning. They have that second to pause and think like wow, like there are genuine, amazing humans on this earth that care about me and care about my well-being and want to connect. And yeah, it was that same thing. That's what I left with after the Loudoun County Social Collective event Like just feeling, like wow, like Edwin is here to inspire, to connect and he's a real human being that cares about other human beings, and I think that real humans that care about other humans make that lasting impression.

Speaker 1: 11:03

So yeah, that's amazing yeah.

Speaker 2: 11:06

Kind of going back to the Loudoun County waste facility that you mentioned. What did working there teach you that you use, or that you still use in your business today?

Speaker 1: 11:18

A little more in depth business today a little more in depth, I think the experience of. So when I started working there, right, so I was like 22, 23 again. I was very quiet, I was very nervous and, you know, anxious, and, um, one of the things that it helped me. So, on a a given day, we had 300, 400 people come through the landfill. On a Saturday, it's between 700 and 900 people that I get to greet, and so what that taught me was one it was a work ethic. I need to show up. That was the first kind of like real, real job. Oh, my gosh, I have, I have benefits. I'm like, I'm like thank you, I was so grateful.

Speaker 1: 12:08

And so it was the showing up. Showing up every day, right, I mean, every day that I got scheduled, you're going to show up, you're going to go up. So that was the work ethic since I was 14, when I started working at Burger King, that was my first job. And then you show up at your work, you show up. So one of the things was like it opened up, it opened myself up, because one of the things that they emphasize is it's customer service, right, you know, you're the face of the county, right, and you can't just be a grumpy old. Well for me. That's what I thought, right? And so I was like, okay, if I'm the face you put me here, you're paying me to greet all those people. Hey, good morning, welcome. You know, what do you have? Ask them and what do you have? And being kind to people when they showed up, when somebody was new and they'd never been, I'd never been here Like well, welcome, welcome, you're right here, I'll tell you, I'll show you where to go, you know, I'll tell you what to do and how this works. And it was a joy for me to do that.

Speaker 1: 13:09

It was work ethic, it was showing up on time, it was getting out of myself and I think that's important Was getting out of my own comfort. Right, I have a line of people waiting for me. I'm like, if I start thinking about that line, I was like, wait, wait, I'm going to be present for that. One person, one person at a time. And so it was that like the genuine wanting to help others, right, and that again, that is going to help others. And how can I guide them to where they need to go? Work ethic, showing up on time, keep showing up, and friendly. Edwin's Hall and Service is one of the models. It's friendly, reliable and professional. Friendly first. Reliable and professional Right Friendly. That, to me, was a takeaway from that.

Speaker 2: 14:03

Yeah, I love that that really sticks out out too Friendly, reliable, professional.

Speaker 1: 14:05

That's right.

Speaker 2: 14:06

Because I don't know like I think a lot of businesses miss that part Again, that like human connection, like we really all just want to connect, that's right, we want to be friends and I don't know it just feels better to support businesses too, where you really no-transcript.

Speaker 1: 14:54

Well, there are. Think about junk removal when people think about trash, right, it's something that is done. I got all this trash and it me as given back. Right, I go into each job that I am. That I go is to personally go. Okay, this is all trash for you, but what I see here that can go to donation, that can have a second life, I'm going to put it separately so that I can go to donation centers here in Loudoun County and give back. It's a form of giving back For me. I take the time and effort to go and separate those things you know like, and Loudoun County is a blessed county, it is a rich county. It's got so many.

Speaker 1: 15:40

The trash from this county, compared to um, compared to other counties, is to other places in us, is ridiculous, right, you know. So someone's trash is somebody's treasure, and so I like to go and find a treasure. I was given a second chance and so I like to think that I have this item, this piece of furniture. Who wants a second chance? Who wants to go to a home that can't afford it? And you take it to one of the donation centers. Okay, here it is, we would gladly take it and people go in there and buy it for so cheap at thrift stores, but for me it's finding that treasure in the trash.

Speaker 1: 16:34

And then that aching giving a second chance. I've been given a second chance and I feel like some of the items deserve a second chance Absolutely.

Speaker 2: 16:42

So it's not all trash.

Speaker 1: 16:44

There is treasure in trash.

Speaker 2: 16:47

I couldn't agree more. How do you balance speed and efficiency with safety and thoroughness when you're on the job?

Speaker 1: 16:54

Yeah, so one of the things that I like to personally goal right. So I'm still that guy that goes into people's houses, okay, and that I bring a crew of guys. And one of the things that I tell try to tell guys before we go into a home that we're moving or doing a job. Hey, here's number one. Two things, remember your safety is number one. My guy's safety is number one. People's belongings is number two. So we need to take care of those two things, okay. And number three is like, if you can't do it yourself, you need to ask for help. So safety for my guys and then the people's belongings is number two. Right, those two go hand in hand, right? I try to do my best to put safety and care for other people's items and so efficiency, you go in there. One of the things that I like to go with, if there is, is I need to get everything out of the house first. Like I want to empty the house first and then load it into my trailer.

Speaker 1: 18:08

So I want to get out of people's house as soon as I can so that they have their space right Quicker, like okay got it, and so for me, that's one of the things that I like to do is just make sure I get everything out, first everything that needs to come out, and then I figure out how I'm going to load it in my truck, because I want people to be like okay, you got your space.

Speaker 2: 18:30

Yeah, you know so that's great, and I'm sure that that sets you apart too, because I have never seen that happen. I've moved a lot.

Speaker 2: 18:39

I've seen you know, my mother-in-law move. I've seen a lot of people move and I feel like it's always the whole day people coming in and out and I'm just I mean, I feel bad for them too, because your crew needs your space too. They don't want to feel like they're always, like in someone's house, like I don't know. So that's great. I love that efficiency. That's amazing. Kind of going back to like clients, is there one client success story that perfectly reflects your mission as a business owner, or like one that really sticks with you, or a few Up to you?

Speaker 1: 19:26

I don't know. There's quite a few of clients that are just so grateful for the service that is provided. I had a client actually this is recently, a week or so. She's there going through a rough time. They're splitting from their significant other and they have kids and dogs and all this stuff and she's overwhelmed with so much chaos, so much going on and it saddens me and so I walk in and I go in and show up and look at what she has and give her a quote Okay, this is the how much it's going to be for us.

Speaker 2: 20:23

But I had a second.

Speaker 1: 20:25

One of the things for me is I don't just show up to a house to do a job. To me there's more to that connection. When I see a client or someone who's stressed and overwhelmed and sad, it's more like hi, it's coming in and making them feel at ease, right, and so I come back here's a quote, good to go and we show up and God and I start helping her pack and move. And in the midst of that I just take a few seconds and moments and say, hey, how are you doing? How are things? Just to pause for a second, we got it, we got it, I got it.

Speaker 1: 21:19

That reassurance of like I got it, it's okay, and that gives an opportunity for a client to open up, an opportunity to say, well, I, it is kind of safe for me to talk about you know what's going on. And so my job is to come in and make him at ease Right and so moved him, moved her and her belongings and and I get to go I went back and brought her a piece of furniture that actually we broke. One of the parts that we do is we're going to replace it. We replaced it.

Speaker 1: 22:04

I went and got it and we delivered a piece of furniture. But I went to talk to her and we just sit down in the back porch of the new house and we're having a human to human conversation and that, to me, beats anything. It is to be able to connect heart to heart with another human and to be able to do that with this client who is undoubtedly hurting and just so much going on. They just show up and be like hey, I'm here, how are you, how are you kids, how are they doing? You know I saw such and such looked like they were hurting. So that, to me, is it's everything. Money, whatever, you know, comes and goes, but the human connection.

Speaker 1: 22:54

Is it's just forever?

Speaker 2: 22:57

yeah, yeah and that's so special too. I mean like tearing up, because there's so many times in my life where, like I have moved or like I don't know, a few years ago I went through like a crazy breakup after seven years with someone and I was moving and you know, like I was lucky to have like my mom with me helping me. But if I were all alone and I had someone like you to just sit on the porch with me and just talk, oh my gosh, that would have been just the best. It would have been so like healing for me just to have that human connection. So that's, that's so beautiful. I love that you do that.

Speaker 2: 23:32

And that truly sets you apart. So, thank you for doing that for the people of Loudoun County and just for being a good human.

Speaker 1: 23:39

Thank you.

Speaker 2: 23:40

We need more people like you and it's refreshing to hear things like, things like that yeah, this is kind of shifting gears a little bit yeah do you have any advice that you would give to someone um who's choosing between junk removal companies or hauling services?

Speaker 1: 23:56

what I would say, right, well, you know what I would say. If somebody is in the market, if you have a, you yourself are in need of, like, well, what do I do with this stuff? Right, I am getting ready to move, I'm getting ready to do this, I want to get rid of this stuff. And what I would say is there's a lot, there's a lot of us out there, there's a lot of moving companies, there's a lot of junk removal companies. Right, it's easy for somebody to come in hey, 100 bucks. Well, it comes to the other guy, it's 50 bucks. It comes to the other guy.

Speaker 1: 24:36

What I would say is read some testimonies, read, watch some videos. Right, watch what they do. Right, I mean, if you have the time, right, like no, just go and like okay, I'm going to go with that because that's the cheapest. Maybe that's what you want, that's the cheapest guy. You don't care. But if you do care, right, do a little research, it won't hurt. Right, go watch the videos, see what people are saying about this company and if that matters, then make that decision. Is it going to be about just who's the cheapest or do you want more? It doesn't matter, right? At the end of the day, all you want is just get the trash out. But if you're just going to hire somebody who's the cheapest, come to your house. Come to your house. They break something. They don't have insurance to pay it. Be careful Cheapest isn't always always cheap.

Speaker 2: 25:35

Yeah, no, it makes sense.

Speaker 1: 25:37

A lot of people don't realize that. Yeah, yeah.

Speaker 2: 25:39

Thanks for that. Yeah, I wanted to ask you, besides what you already touched on about your faith, how has faith played a role in guiding your business decision?

Speaker 1: 25:49

Yeah, absolutely. So what I would say, right it's. It was that moment right when I talked about I lost everything. I was an alcoholic, 10 years crazy life. Then it came a point where I believe today that God took me out of the life and gave me this new opportunity to do something different with my life. So the idea of Edwin's Haunted Services came from that moment of darkness. Edwin, god, it's a gift, it didn't come from me. I never thought about owning a business.

Speaker 1: 26:33

I was like, okay, you're going to do it someday. But it took me 10 years to realize, to go through some hardships, to go through some hardships down, ups and down, ups and down driving. I mean being on a bike for three and a half years, like working, little jobs here and there. I mean I was. But I feel like each of those moments, god has been with me, guiding me each of those steps to 2024. It hasn't been like dude, you're gonna. No, it's more like you're going to hit that wall, then you're going to fall. You're going to fall on that bike, you're going to scrape your head, and I did that's a true story.

Speaker 1: 27:14

I did Because I didn't know that you had to wear a. I mean, it was helpful, right, I'm just going to ride. And then I was going to WD trail and I'm like going so fast I derail, go in and start spinning. I was like, from that day on I'm wearing a helmet, so, but I guess I've had to come back to here. Hasn't been easy, but God has always been in that path, whether it's been up and down. But there's my guiding power, the grace and power that I received to do what I do, and also not only that. It is. I do it because it's my calling, it's just what I'm supposed to do, and if I'm doing what I think God has had me do, then I think I'm in my life, then I enjoy it, then I'm living my purpose and it feels good to live out my purpose and I'm not fighting. I'm always happy, joyous and free.

Speaker 2: 28:17

That's the best. Yes, where do you see Edwin's hauling services in the next five years?

Speaker 1: 28:25

My goodness, see Edwin's hauling services in the next five years. My goodness, you know, I, um, I oftentimes in my morning routine is prayer, writing down some affirmations. Coffee, right, that's, that's priority, right? So one of the things that I do in the mornings is writing down some affirmations right, bro, you are unstoppable, like, yeah, I am unstoppable, like I have to speak those things to me, right? So when I speak those truths about who I am and who God says I am, and also I get to those glimpses of vision where God would have me go, where does Edwin Hauling Services go from here? One the end of this year is to have my own moving truck. Right, that's number one, that's number one. Number two is that Edwin is going to become not just, it's going to be Edwin's Hauling Services and it's going to be Edwin's Moving Services. So it's going to be two identities under one umbrella, okay, and we're going to go separate. And then it is to continue to do to serve my community and to never, never stray from that purpose.

Speaker 1: 29:43

And what I do and why I do what I do, growth is just part of I think, it's a natural process. I think we all want to grow and see visions and see look, okay, this is where I want to go, and to see the past year and a half, where I was when I first started to where I am today. It's truly, it's a miracle, and I can't wait for what is to come. It is often not revealed well, this is what I'm going to do 10 years from now. It's more like revealed, sometimes in a day, in an hour. It's in a sentence Ah, okay, and so I'm always eager to see what's next. God, where do you want me to go?

Speaker 2: 30:36

Yeah, All right. Well, is there anything else I didn't touch on that you wanted to share with us today, that you wanted?

Speaker 1: 30:45

to share with us today. Well, you know, I think I mentioned that Edwin's business is just a channel, just a means to get to people, to knock on the door. As a human being, I'm imperfect, I make mistakes and I'm like, oh, I made a mistake. But one of the things that I like to think that hauling moving is a separate thing. And then is that I am out there doing the very best to make this world a little bit better, to inspire others, to motivate others, and I think, god knows, I've been given an opportunity to stand up on a stage and I can see little glimpses of like this might be something that is happening. So I'm separate from Edwin's Hall and Services. It's just that's part of me, but it's not so. Anyways, thanks.

Speaker 2: 31:58

That's awesome. Thank you. Well, thank you so much again for coming in and making the time to talk to me about what you do. I know that our audience is going to love it. So thank you so much again for coming in and making the time to talk to me about what you do. I know that our audience is going to love it. So thank you so much again, Edwin.

Speaker 1: 32:11

You're welcome.