Episode 16 - Transforming Trash with Melissa Martini, CEO of Waste Away

The Boost

Introduction:

In this episode of The Boost, host Leon Hitchens sits down with Melissa Martini, the CEO and co-founder of Waste Away, an on-demand trash service based in San Antonio. Melissa shares how her company is revolutionizing waste disposal by providing an Uber-like service for trash pickup while creating job opportunities for local residents. They also dive into Melissa’s entrepreneurial journey, how her background in education and ministry informs her leadership style, and how the Geekdom community helped her build a successful business from the ground up.

Hosts:

• Pablo Calvo: Linkedin
• Leon Hitchens: Linkedin & X

Guest:

• Melissa Martini: Linkedin
• Waste Away: https://www.wasteawaytx.com/

Find Us:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBoostChannel
• Website: https://theboost.fm

Key Discussion Points:

1. Introduction to Waste Away:
   • Melissa explains the concept behind her company, which provides an on-demand trash pickup service using contracted drivers—essentially a "DoorDash for trash."
2. How the Idea Came About:
   • Melissa talks about the initial inspiration for Waste Away, co-founded with Cedric, and how they identified gaps in the trash and bulk pickup services offered by the city of San Antonio.
3. Challenges in the Trash Industry:
   • Discussion on the oversaturated junk removal market, the limitations of existing trash services, and how Waste Away is filling the void by providing an accessible, on-demand solution.
4. Collaborations with the City:
   • Melissa shares her experience working with the city of San Antonio, including meetings with the Solid Waste Management team and Reworks SA, who are exploring opportunities for bulk pickups and recycling services.
5. The Transition from B2C to B2B:
   • As Waste Away evolved, Melissa discovered new opportunities in the B2B space, particularly with small and medium-sized businesses struggling to manage recycling costs.
6. The Entrepreneurial Journey:
   • Melissa reflects on her transition from an elementary school PE teacher to entrepreneur, balancing business, education, and family, all while pursuing a doctoral degree.
7. The Importance of Community:
   • Melissa credits Geekdom's incubator program and the support from fellow entrepreneurs for Waste Away's early success, emphasizing how critical it is to have a strong network when starting a business.

Conclusion:

Melissa’s story of resilience, community support, and innovation is an inspiring reminder that entrepreneurship is more about the journey than the destination. Waste Away is not only solving an everyday problem but also creating positive change in the community. Melissa’s insights on balancing life’s many demands while growing a business are valuable lessons for all aspiring founders.