@Joseph Maxey Unfortunately NJ is becoming the 2nd California sky rocketing housing cost plus just the daily cost of living here in general. I know it's all over this nation but I feel the blue states are even worse!!! Just my own two cents!!!

@Jeffrey Clarke Wow! Big difference! What state are you in? If it's NJ please share contact information for your insurance agent.

@Joseph Maxey “That’s great advice, Joseph. Every small business out here is just trying to pay the bills and feed their families. When we support each other, we all win—plain and simple. At the end of the day, it’s all about helping each other. Iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). The Good Book reminds us, ‘Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor’ (Ecclesiastes 4:9). We weren’t built to go it alone. Community isn’t just a nice idea; it’s God’s blueprint. And Paul puts it perfectly: ‘Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ’ (Galatians 6:2). That’s business, family, and life all rolled into one truth.”

@Anthony Del Campo beautiful job on your lettering & logo and you’re right we’re moving billboards!

I’ve been to a lot of industry expos over the years — everything from the big LANDSCAPING SHOWS IN KENTUCKY to the massive WASTE EXPO IN LAS VEGAS — and I’ve got to say, JOSH’S EXPO stands out in a big way. ⭐️ What makes it different is how LASER-FOCUSED it is on the DUMPSTER RENTAL BUSINESS. If dumpsters are your world, this show speaks your language. 🗑️🔥 The networking was solid, the vendors brought real value, and the insights you pick up can reshape how you plan, operate, and grow. A lot of the conversations sparked new ideas for my own goals and long-term projections. 📈💡 There were some flight issues that kept a few vendors away, but honestly, the QUALITY OF THE CONTENT and the EXPERIENCE FROM THE ATTENDEES more than made up for it. I learned from people who’ve been doing this a long time, and I was also able to share a little with folks just getting started — that’s the kind of community this industry needs. 🤝 My only regret? Not getting there earlier to catch more of the speakers. Next year, I’m planning to be there right at the start. ⏰ And I’d love to see this become a THREE-DAY EVENT, because there’s just so much to absorb in one run. And if all goes right on my end, HOPEFULLY I CAN MAKE THE TAMPA EXPO IN MARCH — wouldn’t miss the chance to keep the momentum going. 🌴🚀 If you’re in the dumpster game — new or seasoned — these expos WILL fire you up and move you forward.

@Joseph Maxey I appreciate the tip — I’ll definitely check out Buffalo Financial Services. Do they mainly handle service-based small businesses like ours, or do they have specific experience with roll-off / dumpster operations too?

@Angela Alberson Yeah, my son and I will definitely have to meet up with you at the Expo — that’d be awesome! 🙌 I was actually wondering the same thing — if there are going to be insurance companies represented there. It’d be great to pick their brains and maybe even compare quotes on the spot. I’m also looking for recommendations for bookkeeping and accounting services that specialize in the dumpster rental industry. 📊 There’s a lot of moving parts once things take off, and I want to make sure every dollar is tracked cleanly right from the start. And thanks again for the compliment about the truck — I really appreciate that. 😊 It’s a 2007 International 7600 powered by a CAT C13 engine, manual transmission, and an American Roll-Off 75K hoist. Yeah, it’s 20 years old, but it came from a municipal township fleet, was garage-kept, and has never been to a landfill. The hoist is practically mint, the Roll-Rite hydraulic tarping system is in great shape, and the truck only has 193K miles on it — it seems like it was very well maintained. 💪 That’s nothing for a CAT C13 motor! Now, it does need a few minor things — some new tires, brakes, and a few maintenance odds and ends. Nothing major, but I want to make sure everything is 100% before I start running it. My goal is to have it fully reliable right from day one — no downtime, no surprises. Thank God the engine, frame, transmission, hoist, and tarping system are all solid and fully functional. 🙏 It’s just the usual stuff that comes with a big rig that’s been sitting a while. And anyone who’s ever owned one knows — repairs aren’t cheap. 💸 Between the tires, brakes, and a few other touch-ups, I’m estimating about $10,000 in maintenance, which will put the total around $60K for the truck once it’s road-ready. Then I’m looking at another $40K in dumpsters, so all said and done, I’ll be about $100K in before I see a paycheck. It’s exciting and nerve-wracking all wrapped into one. 😅 But hey — no great story ever started with playing it safe.

Thanks for the recommendation, Joe! 👍 I’ve been thinking along the same lines — probably best to start out with 20s and 30s to keep things simple in the beginning. If somebody needs a 10-yard, I can just rent them a 20 for the price of a 10 — they get extra space, and it keeps operations streamlined. 💪 And if a customer needs a 40-yard, I can always just drop off two 20s and get the job done without investing in the biggest cans right away. 🚛♻️