Meet Jim & Jasmin Janszen | Husband and Wife Business Owners

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jim & Jasmin Janszen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jim & Jasmin, what role has risk played in your life or career?
In terms of risk, we believe in taking calculated risks. This means making decisions—like owning a business—while ensuring we do our due diligence before pulling the trigger. It involves listing out the pros and cons, thinking about how it will affect our life and how our day-to-day will change, considering if it will impact our relationships with those close to us, and hearing their thoughts. We ask ourselves: Is this worth it?

We believe that taking risks is essential for growth. To us, growth happens when we step into uncomfortable situations that challenge us to learn and adapt. Owning this business was a major risk, but it has already taught us so much—from the impact we have on our community, to the long hours required to run it, to making quick decisions and staying motivated to grow. We make sure to take a step back now and then to think about how this decision and risk have affected our lives. It’s a helpful way to stay accountable for the choices we make. Ultimately, taking thoughtful, calculated risks has been essential to our growth, shaping not only our career but also who we are, teaching us resilience, accountability, and the value of stepping outside our comfort zone.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We run a demolition and junk hauling business based in Dana Point. We handle everything from picking up an old couch to full commercial or residential remodel demolitions. Our fully licensed and insured team of professionals has over 10 years of experience, and we’re confident we can get any job done right.
What sets us apart is our 24/7 availability, same-day service, and the fact that we’re not a franchise. This allows us to keep costs lower than our competitors due to reduced overhead, keeping our customers happy. We’re excited to grow while staying true to our principles so we can offer the same great service to new communities without compromising our values.
Joe Jennings started this business over 10 years ago and built it into the #1 rated junk hauling and demolition company in Orange County. In the last two years, Joe was ready to slow down and wanted someone to take over and expand the business. My wife and I were searching for a service-based business to own and operate, and when we met with Joe, he thought we would be the perfect new owners. We were young, ambitious, and eager to grow something meaningful. Earlier this year, we officially took over the business.
Since taking ownership, we’ve expanded our marketing channels, opened up new markets in San Diego, analyzed the company’s financials to optimize spending, and learned a lot from Joe along the way. We saw this as an investment not only in ourselves but also in the community. It meant a lot to Joe that we were excited to grow and build on what he started.
The process of buying the business—conducting market research, financial due diligence, working with a lender, lawyer, and accountants—was both new and challenging for us. We also had to imagine ourselves in this new role and make sure it was truly what we wanted, as it would change our lives significantly. From the moment we decided to move forward, nothing could stop us. While everything was new, we leaned on our network of lawyers, accountants, business owners, and other experts for advice. We couldn’t have done it alone. And when we needed answers, even a Google search became a valuable tool. It took time to figure things out, but we invested that time because we knew this was something we truly wanted.
Some lessons we’ve learned include the power of negotiation—it rarely goes the way you expect the first time—and the importance of clear communication. It’s essential to be articulate, respectful, and to really listen, even if you disagree initially. We’ve also realized the importance of becoming comfortable with discomfort. You can’t expect change or growth unless you put yourself in new, uncomfortable situations. The times we felt the most uncomfortable and uncertain were the times we learned the most.
If you want to be an entrepreneur but don’t know where to start, we suggest searching for businesses for sale near you. Many owners are looking to retire and don’t want their businesses to close, offering great opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.
We’re proud to own this business and love working on it every day. We’ve seen firsthand the impact a service-based business can have on a community, and there’s a deep sense of satisfaction in serving others. This business not only supports us financially but also gives us a greater purpose. Now that we’ve started, we have no intention of stopping. Our team is made up of hardworking, professional, and kind individuals, and we know they’re capable of accomplishing anything.
We’re excited to see how much further we can grow, and we look forward to continuing this journey. The future is full of opportunity, and we’re ready to tackle whatever comes next.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If anyone is visiting Southern California, it would be a disservice to miss the incredible beaches we have here. We would take them surfing T-street or ride bikes along the Newport Beach coast. We would grab a casual bite to eat at Circle Hook in the Lido Marina Village for some Poke Bowls and Fish Tacos. Another great spot for a quick burrito would be Rico’s in San Clemente. You can’t go wrong with the California Burrito from Rico’s. In the evening, we could catch an Anaheim Ducks Hockey Game, or– our favorite, OCSC soccer game over in Irvine.

The following day we could drive down the coast to see the beautiful areas of North County San Diego. Our favorite cities are Oceanside and Encinitas. With Oceanside, there is still that little bit of that old-school California beach town vibe, while Encinitas is the most charming, laid-back town in all of San Diego. We could enjoy a Hawaiian-style breakfast at Switchboard, located in the Fin Hotel in Oceanside, or dig into a hearty biscuits and gravy from Don’s Country Kitchen off of Coast Hwy in Oceanside, then head down the coast toward Cardiff and Seaside to see the beautiful cliffs near the ocean, while taking a relaxing stroll along the coast. After working up an appetite, we would then indulge in one of our favorite burrito spots in Encinitas, either Juanita’s or El Noplaito. Or for a sit-down classic Mexican style dinner, we love Casa De Bandini in Carlsbad.

In the evening, we could catch the sunset along the unmatched California coastline while driving back to Orange County. There’s something very special about the areas that include South Orange County and North County San Diego– it’s no wonder it’s one of the most desirable places to live.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Our friends, Chris and Maddy, challenged our thoughts in a constructive way while remaining supportive. We deeply value friendships like this and appreciate friends who can grow alongside us, embracing the changes to our lives with understanding and encouragement.
Jasmin’s parents planted the seed of entrepreneurship at a young age and always believed we could accomplish anything we set our minds to, as long as we understood the risks. They also taught us that anything worthwhile takes hard work.
Above all, we have each other. We share similar values, a strong work ethic, and the same drive. We couldn’t have done this without one another. Having a supportive spouse is incredibly important, and marrying each other was the best decision we ever made.
Joe Jennings started this business that we took over, over 10 years ago. He is truly the epitome of a hard-working, well disciplined entrepreneur—a go-getter with unmatched business intuition. He has been an incredible teacher, mentor, and source of inspiration, guiding us with his experience and wisdom as we continue to grow the business.

Website: https://junktigers.com

Instagram: @junktigers

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/junk-tigers-hauling-and-demolition-irvine-17