Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Crouch.
Hi Brandon, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My life has been full of events that have led me in many different directions. When I was 16 years old, while on a mission trip in Kentucky, I was hit in the back of the skull with a pickax. After one emergency surgery, a metal plate, and a traumatic brain injury, here I am. I’m blessed to be alive and to not have any major deficits due to the incredible medical team who took great care of me. It was that experience that led me to become a nurse.
Creating something of my own and being able to give something to my family has always been a goal of mine. As a kid, I remember looking at other kids, whose families owned businesses or worked in the family business and I thought that was so cool. Those kids had it made. I was a kid that could be described as being from the wrong side of the tracks. My family wasn’t part of the small-town society that was prevalent during my early years. Creating something that could last for generations seemed so out of reach, but I had seen how many opportunities it had provided those around me. I decided at a very young age that if I ever had the opportunity, I would do my best to try and create a business for my family one day. Creating, growing, and providing this business for my family was what it was all about.
After my twins were born in 2016, my podcast Appetite for Discussion, felt like a natural step for me. When I was 2 years old, my father was killed in a motorcycle accident on July 4th. The only things that remained of him were some old pictures and the remembered stories from loved ones. There were so many times in my life that I wished I could hear his voice or seek his guidance. Once my children were born, I felt compelled to leave behind an audio journal/library. Thanks to technology and the internet, I was able to do just that. I started small with my cousin as my first guest and over the years was granted the opportunity to interview the most interesting people, from all walks of life. These guests have endured tragedy, suffered hardship, received accolades, and experienced life-changing moments. I am honored that they were willing to share their stories with me. Appetite for Discussion may be a small, regional podcast, but I couldn’t be more proud of the stories that have been shared over the last few years. Fingers crossed, one day it will grow to something more and if it doesn’t that’s okay too. It’s never boring, I appreciate the variety of perspectives and experiences. It doesn’t hurt that my listeners enjoy it as well.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think anyone truly has a smooth road. Growing up as a kid my upbringing was a bit unorthodox and let’s just say colorful. My family falls somewhere between The Wonderful Whites of West Virginia, Shameless, and Hillbilly Elegy. My mom had me at 16 years old. My dad was killed in a motorcycle accident when I was 2 years old. My mom, obviously devastated with the loss of my father, did the absolute best she could, and honestly, we helped raise each other along the way. I was fortunate enough to see firsthand the real-world consequences of poor decisions can lead to. I was exposed to more things than a kid should be. I love my mom and I love my family but at around age 10 I hit a fork in the road and decided it was up to me to break the cycle and go in a different direction for my life. I wouldn’t change a single thing about my childhood. It has made me into who I am today. It helps me appreciate my wonderful family, and friends and keeps me pushing forward. Don’t let a sh*tty situation be an excuse. Use it as motivation.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a registered nurse who worked in the Emergency Department for 8 years and has been working for a medical device company specializing in Urology for the last 12 years.
About 5 years ago my wife knew I had always wanted to own my own business. For decades I have struggled to find the right business to start. Then one day, my wife came home and said, I think we should start a junk business. After doing a little research and encouragement, we started the first junk removal business in Iredell County, North Carolina. Almost 5 years later, we were voted Best Junk Removal in Iredell County. We are a full-service junk removal company specializing in residential, commercial cleanouts, small structure demolition, hot tub removal, above-ground pool demo, and much more. Our slogan is “One Call Removes It All.”
A few things that set HunkaJunk apart from our competitors is that my wife and I were born and raised in Statesville, this is our home. We chose to live and raise our family here. Living here all my life, working in the local emergency room and having my own local podcast (Appetite for Discussion). I have come to know a lot of people in our community. Hunkajunk Hauling has gained a reputation as the go-to junk removal company in our area. Customers know when they call us, they will get the absolute best customer service and the best junk removal experience, hands down.
When we first started HunkaJunk we had no idea of what an impact it would have on the community. We have had the blessing to be a part of several local non-profit organizations. We are honored and proud that in such a short time, HunkaJunk Hauling has been able to make an impact on our community. For example, we just completed a can food drive to help stock one of our local food pantries and were able to donate over 3,000 servings of food. We also donate furniture, dishware, clothing, and many other items to additional local non-profits.
The Appetite for Discussion podcast is a completely nonscripted, long-form podcast with a relaxing environment. It’s simply a few people in a room having an unfiltered conversation that could lead into any direction. We might laugh, we might cry or someone might break out a guitar and jam. We may start the podcast as strangers but leave as friends who are better informed. Since the start of Appetite for Discussion, I have had the opportunity to meet some amazing human beings doing incredible things. These folks walk among use every day right under our noses. People today are stuck in their phones or devices and do not converse with people. Having a meaningful conversation that you learn from is an art form, that if we are not careful, could be lost. Guests of the podcast range from New York Times Best Selling authors, celebrities, innovators, local leaders and every day down-to-earth folks who have a great story and are doing things important things that go unnoticed. The podcast has reached way more people than I could have imagined. I had a guy come up to me in a store and say, ” You do the Appetite podcast, right?” I said, “yes”. He said, “I’m a fan of the podcast and my 70-year-old dad will call me and say, “Did you hear the latest episode and who he had on?” I’m most proud that my podcast brought to light the “Big American Flag” controversy involving Marcus Lemonis from Camping World and our city council. The controversy made national news. Lemonis gave my little podcast an interview about the flag and why flying such a huge American flag was so important to him. It was that interview that nudged the council towards allowing the flag to fly! It’s a great story that I can share with our kids one day that I had a small hand in the huge American flag flying high on interstate 77.
The other cool part about the podcast is it has allowed me to start a sister podcast under the Appetite for Discussion umbrella called Sips, Riffs N’ Flix. My best friend Kevin Head and I co-host. We review whiskeys, bourbons, music, and films/documentaries. Sips, Riffs N’ Flix is a short nonscripted podcast that is all about bringing people together, and having a laugh with our listeners but mostly at ourselves.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
As a kid, I was always playing sports and hanging out with my friends. I have been and will always be super competitive. The one thing I hate is to lose. My wife and I have a saying “we didn’t come all this way to lose”. It started innocently at an out-of-state high school graduation party but has really become our life’s motto.
I would probably be described as someone who loves the party, brings the party, and is the party. I’ve always been outgoing and social. Sports, business, entrepreneurship, and helping others has always interest me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hunkajunkhauling.com
- Instagram: hunkajunk_hauling_ | appetitefordiscussion
- Facebook: HunkaJunk Hauling | Appetite for Discussion
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfi0DOlbrZHPUdj7qU-25Dw
Image Credits
Amanda Caldwell Photography
