Is There Cash Hiding in Your Garage?

Don't tell Nick Friedman there's no such thing as buried treasure. He knows there is, because he's found it before. Many times before.

"We've found it all," said Friedman, President of COLLEGE HUNKS HAULING JUNK, (www.1800JunkUSA.com) a nationally franchised junk removal company that features friendly collegiate teams as its branding strategy. But recently, it's been less about the haulers than it has been about what they've been hauling that has captured people's interest.

"Now, collectibles are the easy finds, because almost everyone has some comics or some baseballs cards stashed somewhere that they've forgotten about," he added. "But sometimes we find fine art, or rare magazines, or even true antiques that are in great condition. With times as tough as they are, it's probably not a bad idea for folks to go through their garages, basements, attics and storage spaces. I know we've found thousands of dollars worth of goods, and in the most unlikely places."

Recently, Faisal Ansari, the owner of the College Hunks Hauling Junk Orlando franchise, was called out to clear away the contents of an abandoned storage unit that had been sitting untouched for the last ten years. Alongside dusty, obsolete computers and stacks of files were three non-descript boxes that had not been disturbed since they were packed. Inside was thousands of dollars worth of rare sports collectibles. The haul included:

• An autographed baseball from Mike Schmidt, Hall of Fame third baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies
• A signed basketball from Dominique Wilkins
• A signed basketball from Dikembe Mutombo, one of the NBA's best defensive players
• Two hockey sticks autographed by Grant Fuhr, one of the NHL's best goaltenders
• Two baseballs signed by the game's royalty, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron

Control over the collection was given to the company, but instead of pocketing it, the company plans to donate it to charity.

"We are a profitable national company, with franchises all over the country," Friedman said. "Everyone has junk so we make our money honestly by providing a fun service to our clients who have unwanted items to get rid of, and it's important for us to be a good corporate citizen, as well. We'd like to see the collection benefit a children's charity and help underprivileged kids get an education. We're working on selecting the beneficiary right now."

But those weren't the most valuable items College Hunks Hauling Junk has uncovered, and the treasures range from the sublime to the not-so-sublime.

"One of our franchises found an original Grant Wood painting, worth more than $20,000," Friedman said. "And then, we've also found a mint-condition set of 1960s Playboy magazines and even a Gibson guitar worth $1,500. There's just no telling what people are going to have in their garages or attics. Whether you're a homeowner or business owner, now is the best time to get rid of your unwanted furniture, appliances, debris, or clutter that is taking up valuable space in your home or office. We haul plenty of items that can be recycled, so it's a good environmental choice, as well. And with money tight, now might be a good time to go treasure hunting in your own home or office."

Nick Friedman is President of College Hunks Hauling Junk (www.1800junkusa.com). He was recently named as one of America's Top 35 Entrepreneurs Under 35 by Bisnow.com, Top 30 Entrepreneurs in America Under 30 by INC Magazine, and is an Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award Finalist. He is an active Board Member of the Entrepreneur's Organization, a global organization comprised of founders of high-growth companies. Nick appeared on the recent ABC TV Show Shark Tank with his business partner, Omar Soliman. Nick has been a guest speaker at numerous high schools, colleges and universities including the George Washington University School of Entrepreneurship, University of Maryland Business School, Montgomery College, the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, and the Extreme Entrepreneurship Campus Tour. Nick Friedman received his Bachelors Degree in economics from Pomona College in California.