BIV is proud to recognize Barry Hartman, co-founder and CEO of 505-Junk, and 39 exceptional business leaders with 2022 Forty under 40 Awards.
Each recipient is featured in BIV's annual Forty under 40 Magazine, and will be celebrated at an awards gala Feb. 22. Profiles of each award recipient – originally published in the magazine – will be available at biv.com in the days ahead.
Who or what is responsible for your work ethic?
A drive to provide limitless opportunity for the people that work at 505-Junk. Our team is full of bright and energetic people, and I am responsible for providing opportunities that help them grow. Seeing my business partners, Scott and Alex, show up every day with their A-game really motivates me.
What drives you?
I honestly just love business. I love working with people, I love building a brand – I enjoy the competition and the challenge of growth, and I really enjoy building partnerships.
A favourite book you would recommend?
Traction by Gino Wickman, Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss, The Ride of a Lifetime by Robert Iger, Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown and The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.
What was your childhood career dream?
I kid you not, when I was a child, I wanted to be a garbage man. In my teenage years, I wanted to become a professional snowboarder. I ended up doing that between the ages of 18 and 22 before launching 505-Junk. Entrepreneurship is now my dream. I am living my dream.
What was your toughest business or professional decision?
To pull back on franchising. We launched two locations and decided it was not the future that we wanted for 505-Junk. It was the toughest, most analytical decision I’ve had to make, but it has turned out to be the right one.
What is your best habit?
I’ve changed a lot of habits over the years and developed some strong ones – mostly inspired by wanting to be the best version of myself so I can show up every day. I get up at 6 a.m. and exercise, take cold showers, have no caffeine, no alcohol and meditate. Stay present.
Tell us one improbable fact about yourself.
I started working at 13 and my resumé includes: Dog walker, McDonald’s, dishwasher, janitor, pizza maker, fuel-tank cleaner, construction labourer and pizza delivery. I’m a college drop-out, and for the last 12 years, have fulfilled my dream of becoming an entrepreneur. I love it.
Best piece of advice ever received?
I told my parents at 16 I was moving to Whistler to become a professional snowboarder. Their response was: “Have fun, we support your decision.” I told my parents at 22 I was dropping out of college to start a business. Their response was: “Have fun, we support your decision.”
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in business?
You have to genuinely care about the people that you do business with. People instantly know when you don’t care, and you can bet that that will ruin your relationship.
What career highlight are you most proud of?
The individual efforts each of our team members contribute daily, and how our team has bought into the company vision.
What’s left to accomplish?
Everything. Our vision is to become an industry-leading recycling company by diverting hundreds of millions of pounds of waste from local landfills each year. My fiancé, Jenna, and I will be getting married in Australia in February.
Read the profiles of all 40 award recipients in BIV's annual Forty under 40 Magazine. Register to recognize this year's winner at the Forty under 40 Awards gala on Feb. 22.
