A 40-year-old entrepreneur from Wyoming has achieved financial success through his waste hauling and recycling business, marking his first million dollars earned. This achievement is part of Kiplinger’s “My First $1 Million” series, which highlights personal success stories of individuals who have reached financial milestones. The anonymous business owner reflects on his unconventional journey from childhood entrepreneurship to becoming a millionaire.
The business owner recounts starting his journey at a young age. “My first million dollars took a long time, but I rang the bell around 25 years old,” he shares. Raised with an entrepreneurial spirit, he began earning a nickel each night as a child. By age three, he learned the fundamentals of business from his father, who taught him a simple earning process. This early exposure ignited his passion for entrepreneurship, leading him to set a goal of becoming a millionaire by age 21.
Throughout his youth, he engaged in various labor-intensive jobs, emphasizing hard work and long hours. “One dollar became $10, then $100, then $10,000,” he recalls. Although he had a college scholarship, he focused on earning money through selling items on eBay, including popular Pez dispensers and classic car parts sourced from rural areas.
After gaining experience working at a scrap metal yard, he was let go after two and a half years. This pivotal moment led him to relocate his family to Wyoming, where he established his waste management company. His initial success came from metal recycling, but as market conditions shifted, he saw potential in the waste disposal sector. He now proudly identifies as a garbageman, a role that has significantly contributed to his wealth.
With the earnings from his business, he has maintained a modest lifestyle, reinvesting profits into the company by purchasing land, equipment, and inventory. “Vacations were limited. Work-life balance was and is terrible,” he admits, acknowledging the challenges that come with running a business. Despite setbacks such as dishonest dealings and theft, he remained unwavering in his commitment to succeed.
Celebrating his financial milestone did not come with fanfare. “Making a million dollars didn’t come with celebration, recognition or even a toast,” he states. Instead, he found satisfaction in the knowledge that he had achieved his goal. While he enjoys the comforts of life, he humbly describes his aspirations, stating, “Dig a really big hole, fill it with waste and bury it like it never existed.”
Reflecting on his journey, he expresses gratitude for the mentors who guided him along the way, including family members and friends. His father, who instilled in him the values of hard work and dreaming big, was a significant influence. Tragically, his father passed away in a motorcycle accident a few years ago, leaving a profound impact on his life.
The entrepreneur also credits influential literature for shaping his financial mindset. His top three recommended books are The Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, and The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley. These works offered insights that helped him navigate the complexities of wealth accumulation.
Looking ahead, he offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: “You will never know the curveballs of life. Bad things happen to good people. Great people make great teams.” He emphasizes the importance of resilience and teamwork, echoing a sentiment shared by many successful businesspeople.
For those interested in sharing their own stories of financial achievement, Kiplinger invites individuals who have reached the $1 million mark to participate in future profiles, seeking diverse experiences from across the financial landscape.
