Growing up in Milwaukee, Andy Weins’ family raised him to waste not, want not. His great-grandfather owned a scrap yard, his grandparents recycled to make ends meet and his father drove him through nicer neighborhoods on nights before trash pick-ups to see what they could find. He didn’t realize it then, but this upbringing would inspire a vital pivot in Weins’ life.
What started as a side hustle as a laid-off combat veteran to pay the mortgage and feed his family, eventually morphed into a purchase of territories in a junk removal franchise. By the third month in business, Weins became the No. 1 franchise in the country.
While he was learning more about the franchise organization he was with, Andy realized it did not represent the values he thought it did and committed to start fresh. He built Camo Crew Junk Removal, offering residential and junk removal, demolition and deconstruction services, on a foundation of values and beliefs learned from all his previous experiences starting with his grandfather’s scrap yard.
“It was a choice to pave a new path,” said Weins. “It’s a choice to step away from what you are comfortable with and to stick to your morals, values and beliefs when the going gets tough. Those choices are all rooted in what I learned growing up.”
Over the last few years, Weins has committed to fostering innovation for the company’s growth and resilience to ensure that Camo Crew Junk Removal stays at the forefront of the industry. This commitment led to creating strategic partnerships with similar companies, dedicating significant resources to developing and improving services for existing customers and seeking out opportunities in underserved markets. These three focuses have resulted in the creation of a new service category, bringing in $350,000 in revenue.
According to his staff, Weins is driven to innovate, change and take action. “He is a values-driven influencer whose profile is rising as he advocates for change in the industry,” they said. “He possesses strong leadership qualities, has an entrepreneurial spirit, is consistent in his work and upholds the ethics and integrity necessary to claim the title of a titan.”
His efforts have not gone unrecognized over the years. Weins has the No. 1 podcast in the junk removal industry, and he was named a 40 Under 40 in 2023. Weins is also known for hosting industry representatives and community members to tour his company’s facility to see how collected material is stored, sorted and shipped instead of being driven directly to a landfill.
For his perseverance and willingness to take risks as a leader and company owner, Weins has been named a titan.
