Today we’d like to introduce you to TJ Rutherford.
Hi TJ, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Having always been “the guy with the pickup truck” among my friends—I had been doing this business on the side for several years. I had become completely disenchanted with “office culture” and yearned for movement, physical labor, and something new. After working government and contract management jobs for well over a decade, I decided I wanted to be my own boss full time.
My mind constantly harkened back to the times when I did work for my dad when he had cows, goats, and sometimes pigs; years later when I would work at a small local farm part-time, I was dubbed “The Farmhand”. As a Farmhand, you have to be able to take directions well, work hard, be able to do a large variety of different tasks and you really have to care about what needs to be done. I yearned for those simpler times because no matter how hard it was, the work was always gratifying.
I decided I was going to be The Farmhand again…
…just not on a farm. That’s how my business, “Farmhand” was born.
I was full steam ahead for my new adventure until the day after the final shift of my previous job, I found out that my mother passed away unexpectedly. The first official junk removal job I had was cleaning out my mom’s home. It was mentally and physically challenging but with the love and support from my friends and family, I pushed through and got the job done.
I figured if I could do this hard, physical labor with care and compassion for my family, I could help others as well.
In addition to specializing in physical jobs such as pressure washing, property cleanups, and some landscaping—my degree in Psychology aids me in helping folks decide what items they need to get rid of.
In the end, we all want to part with people, places, and things on our own terms. Part of the customer service I provide via Farmhand is ensuring that my clients feel good about their experience. If they need a little extra push or suggestion on what to get rid of, I gently guide them; if they need to take their time and decide, I happily provide advice whenever it is asked for.
Helping someone who is either overwhelmed or just in need of a little helping hand is my number one priority with Farmhand. The Farmhand motto is “No job is too big; no chore is too small.”
There’s not a single Farmhand job that will be done without customer service, compassion, and a little time for having a chat. Helping folks is more than a job to me, it’s my passion.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Within my first year of business my mom passed away the world got shut down via Covid-19. So, it hasn’t been entirely smooth but it has been filled with lessons and great experiences!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Farmhand mainly specializes in Junk Removal, Cleanouts, and pressure washing. We’re most known for junk removals and Cleanouts. I’m most proud of being able to help take the stress off of people struggling with the overwhelm of items from a move, loss of a loved one, or trying to sell a home.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the Tampa Bay Area for the beaches, interesting array of businesses, and varying cultures.
I’d say the thing I least like about the area is the traffic.
Contact Info:
- Email: farmhandhauling@gmail.com
- Website: www.farmhandhauling.com
- Instagram: @farmhandhauling
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/106775720747395/posts/459388102152820/?d=n
