We were lucky to catch up with David Baxter recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi David, thanks for joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea
My process of going from Idea to execution is a 10yr journey. I was introduced to the idea of starting my own business from my ex wife. She was a serial entrepreneur and she showed me how she turned her ideas into profitable businesses. So one day I mentioned to her about this Valet Trash Service my apartment offered as an amenity. She had never seen a service offered like this and she immediately said that it is something we could do ourselves. So we started brainstorming a name for the business and putting together a business plan. Unfortunately we later separated but I held on to the business idea because she decided she no longer wanted to be a part of it. So June of 2012 I registered the name Curbside Appeal LLC and obtained my business license in Hoover, Alabama. After a few months of structuring how I would operate my business, I began going to business networking events around the city gaining knowledge and building relationships with other business owners before I started pitch my idea to Apart communities. Once I gained enough confidence that I was ready to actually begin the work, I would go to any and every apartment community I could find and offer my services. Unfortunately I was never able to find a community that would accept my offer to service their community, but I continued to stay connected with other business owners and add to my business plan until the opportunity arose. After ten years of knocking on doors and being denied I finally was offered an opportunity. Now the rest is history. So that’s how I started Curbside Appeal
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
So I was born and raised in Rochester, NY by 2 hard working parents. My dad worked a full time job at Eastman Kodak, ran a business as a painter on his off days, and was a Elder in the church. My mom was a stay at home mom, but volunteered in the community and schools. My mother stood on the ideology that ” A man don’t work, a man don’t eat” so we all had to either be volunteering somewhere or working a job. This created a mindset in me that I have no problem working hard, because I’ve done it all my life and seen my parents do it as well . So when I began this company I was not a stranger at putting in the work and effort it takes to make this work. I service my clients communities as if I live there, ensuring I play my part in making sure their community isn’t looking messy with trash and waste all around. As a valet Trash and Junk Removal provider I want the residents I service to feel as if they are receiving services that a Luxury Apartment should offer. Which is something I know other providers don’t offer.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
So my original business plan was a Valet Trash Service for Apartment and Senior Living communities. Over a span of 10 years I was being turned down by every apartment and senior living community. During this time I would periodically receive calls and emails from individuals wanting trash picked up, or me to clear out their garages. I would always turn them down and explain that I didn’t do that type of work. Until it clicked, and I realized that I was losing out on a market within the waste management arena. So February 2022 I took on a job for a residential client throwing bags of trash away. After I finished the job and started marketing my business as a Junk Removal company, the calls and emails started to pour in including Apartment and Senior Living communities. So through my Junk Removal Service I have been able to create the relationship with the Apartments so that we can have the discussion about Valet Trash
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
I find it extremely important to stay around other entrepreneurs and business owners within your field that are willing to work with you and help you as you help them. I am connected with several communities that have played and still play a major role in the way I manage my business. I am in a Christian business group called Church For Entrepreneurs where they help shape your mindset in running your business in a Godly manner, as well as many groups on Facebook of business owners in the Junk Removal arena
Contact Info:
- Website: CurbsideAppealWaste.com
- Instagram: @curbside_appeal_llc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1CurbsideAppeal?mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curbside-appeal-llc-97712642
- Youtube: @curbsideappealllc5536
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/curbside-appeal-montgomery