Brian Scudamore
Brian Scudamore | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 16, 1970 San Francisco, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, author, podcast host |
| Known for | Founder and CEO of O2E Brands; founder of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, WOW 1 DAY PAINTING, Shack Shine |
| Notable work | WTF?! (Willing to Fail): How Failure Can Be Your Key to Success; BYOB: Build Your Own Business, Be Your Own Boss |
Brian Scudamore (born March 16, 1970) is a Canadian entrepreneur originally from the United States, known as the founder and CEO of O2E Brands, which oversees 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, WOW 1 DAY PAINTING, and Shack Shine. He frequently writes for Forbes on subjects such as small business management, franchising strategies, and organizational culture. His debut book, WTF?! (Willing to Fail): How Failure Can Be Your Key to Success, was released in 2018, followed by his second title, BYOB: Build Your Own Business, Be Your Own Boss, published in 2022.
On April 4, 2024, CBC revealed that Scudamore would join the investor panel for Season 19 of Dragon's Den.
Early life and education
Scudamore was born in San Francisco on March 16, 1970. During high school, he faced significant challenges with subjects like reading and mathematics, which contributed to his decision to leave school early. Despite these difficulties, he persuaded Concordia University to accept him into their business program. After completing two years there, he transferred to the University of British Columbia to be closer to his entrepreneurial ventures. His father, Charles Scudamore—a liver transplant surgeon—was initially disheartened when Brian departed from university in 1993 to dedicate himself fully to his waste removal business.
Books
His first publication, WTF?! (Willing to Fail): How Failure Can Be Your Key to Success, came out in 2018 and details nearly three decades of his entrepreneurial experiences. The follow-up book, BYOB: Build Your Own Business, Be Your Own Boss (2022), achieved bestseller status on the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon lists. It presents two distinct approaches for launching a business while sharing insights from motivating entrepreneurs and providing actionable guidance on setting and fulfilling business objectives.
Podcast
In October 2019, Scudamore introduced the podcast Founders Stories, which features conversations with franchise owners who discuss their journeys into business ownership, emphasizing critical choices, achievements, and lessons learned along the way.
The Rubbish Boys
In 1989, after seeing an advertisement for a junk removal service, Scudamore invested $700 to create The Rubbish Boys, focusing on collecting waste that municipal services would not handle. The enterprise grew rapidly, often requiring him to miss classes; eventually, he left college entirely to concentrate on the business full-time. By 1997, the company’s annual revenue had reached $1 million. However, sensing a disconnect between his vision and that of his staff, Scudamore dismissed all employees and rebuilt his team around a new core principle: "It's All About People," recruiting personnel aligned with the company’s mission.
1-800-GOT-JUNK?
With the goal of bringing professionalism to a disorganized sector and establishing a strong brand identity, Scudamore selected the name '1-800-GOT-JUNK?'. Although this toll-free number was initially assigned to the Idaho Transportation Department, he managed to acquire it without cost. Since its inception in 1998, the company has grown extensively and now operates more than 150 locations throughout Canada, the United States, and Australia.
Franchising and Expansion
Brian Scudamore focused on organic development, choosing to forgo outside investment to preserve full control over his vision. Although franchising was met with doubt within this sector, he experimented with markets in Victoria, British Columbia and Seattle. After achieving positive outcomes, he introduced the first franchise in Toronto in 1999, which remains both the largest and most lucrative location. The initial US franchise debuted in Portland, Oregon in 2000, eventually growing to 100 franchises across North America by 2004 and extending operations to Australia in 2005.
As part of Starbucks' 'As I See It' campaign, Brian Scudamore’s image was featured on 10 million coffee cups.
WOW 1 DAY PAINTING
While searching for a company to paint his residence, Scudamore encountered One Day Painting, a service promising to complete an entire house within a single day. Impressed by their efficiency, he acquired a controlling interest and adapted the 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchising approach to this customer-centric business, rebranding it as WOW 1 DAY PAINTING. The inaugural franchise launched in Vancouver near the end of 2010, followed by expansion into the US with a franchise in Seattle. Presently, the brand operates more than 60 locations throughout Canada and the United States.
Shack Shine
Introduced in January 2016, Shack Shine represents Scudamore’s newest home-service franchise, offering services such as gutter cleaning, power washing, Christmas light installation, and window washing. Shack Shine currently functions across 60 locations spanning Canada and the US.
Entrepreneurship
In late 2015, Scudamore unveiled "entrypreneurship," a franchising concept developed by O2E Brands that serves as an accessible gateway for aspiring business owners who may lack experience or capital.
On April 4, 2024, CBC announced Brian Scudamore’s involvement in season nineteen of Dragons' Den. The Executive Producer emphasized his contribution as bringing valuable knowledge and motivation to Canadian entrepreneurs.
Recognition
In 2004, Scudamore became a member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO) and participated on the board of the Young Entrepreneurs' Organization (YEO). He earned the title 'Entrepreneur of the Year' from the International Franchise Association in 2007. In 2012, he was honored with induction into the CEO Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement by the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization. Additional distinctions include Fortune Small Business' Best Bosses Award, Best Leader on Facebook from The CSuite Awards, inclusion in The Globe and Mail's Top 40 under 40 list, three 'Best Company To Work For' honors, and a Business to Consumer Entrepreneur of the Year award in British Columbia.