Why Former Marine Sean-Michael Green Chose to Invest in JDog Brands

Don’t let Sean-Michael Green hear you say he is in the junk-removal business. JDog Junk Removal & Hauling means much more than that to Green, a former U.S. Marine and University of Connecticut business professor. The veteran-oriented franchise brand allows Green to employ a team of veterans who he says are the best in the industry.

“My company is about the people who work here,” said Green. “Anyone who hires us has the opportunity to get items out of their space, but they will also have a chance to meet really good people.”

Green owns five local small businesses, teaches classes at UCONN’s School of Business and proudly wears his US Marine Corps pin from his time serving our country. It was that camaraderie which led him into ownership of a Veteran-owned JDog Junk Removal & Hauling franchise. Employing Veterans with seasonal work from his other businesses wasn’t enough, he was ready to commit to giving Veterans consistent, reliable work with meaning.

Created in 2012, JDog Brands has a unique mission to help Veterans achieve the American dream of entrepreneurship by creating a clear path to successful business ownership. Today, JDog Brands has grown to feature over 260 Veteran-owned franchise locations across the United States.

“At JDog Junk Removal & Hauling we take things out of people’s lives that don't serve them anymore, but it’s not just a removal business,” said Green. “It’s reviving its usefulness as well because we find families who need the items being tossed away.”

Green’s choice to franchise with JDog initially stemmed from a little friendly competition with his brother. “My brother was the one who first became an owner of a JDog franchise, so naturally, I wanted to beat my brother,” he joked.

However, the company’s mission and the opportunity to employ Veterans is what really pushed him towards the brand.

“A big part of it was its exclusive nature. Not everyone can buy in; you have to be a Veteran or a family member of a Veteran,” he said. “I don’t usually brand myself except as a Marine, but being a veteran is a big part of my personal brand, and this is a natural fit and really a natural progression of who I am in this business.”

What really sets Green a part is his ability to connect with people on a personal level.

“I don’t care about money at all. I care about people, specifically veterans,” said Green. “Having that mindset allows me to take a long-term look at situations. The bottom line is a lot of other business owners focus on the short term, so they make bad decisions. I'm able to show the human side of the business. It’s also personally fulfilling for me to be able to offer employment to the Veteran community.”

Currently, Green has one truck and a ton of great Veterans on his team. His territory goes up to the New York state line, so ultimately he expects to have about eight trucks. “The potential is limitless, and I’m ready to start serving clients,” said Green.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a JDog Junk Removal & Hauling ranges from $30,000 to $110,000, including a $35,000 franchise fee. For more information on franchising with JDog Brands, visit: *