Two Gen Z siblings have built a profitable company out of hauling away junk and resale, proving that you can do anything you set your mind to. In a quiet Massachusetts town, the two brothers decided to turn what started as a simple side hustle into a full-blown enterprise.
Kirk and Jacob McKinney started Junk Teens back in 2021 by dumpster diving and taking unwanted items, and reselling them online. What started as a weekend-only gig has spiraled into a thriving business that they never thought possible. This venture generated $3.04 million in 2025 alone, according to CNBC.
From Dumpster Diving to Millions of Dollars
The concept was simple: find unwanted electronics, furniture, and random valuables, clean them up, and flip them for resale. The brothers’ work ethic and hustle really resonated with their community, and soon, they even had neighbors calling them to haul away junk left sitting in their house for ages.
This all started with a $4,000 pick up truck, and after a bit of elbow grease, snowballed into the thriving company they run today. “It was all about putting in the work, building trust, and figuring out what people actually wanted,” Kirk told CNBC. With low overhead costs, a high turnover rate, and using free online marketplaces such as Facebook and Craigslist, the business model was extremely lucrative.
The Gen Z Mindset Is Giving Hustle and Bustle
The McKinneys’ success is just one of many stories of entrepreneurship coming from Gen Z. It seems as though the newest trend for the generation is starting their own businesses, being their own boss, and embracing a work style that previous generations seemed to have skimmed over. Social media and online selling platforms have made this easier than ever before.
These days, you can start a business with nothing more than an internet connection and a phone, but the real success comes from hard work, trust building, and dedication. Those traits are all highlighted here by the two brothers who created something huge out of something seemingly very small.
