Andrew DePalma

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

My name is Andrew DePalma. I’m originally from Penbrook, Pennsylvania, and I now call Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, home. I’m a local business owner and the founder of AJ’s Hauling LLC, a junk removal company serving communities throughout Central Pennsylvania.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

One thing I love about Hummelstown is the strong sense of community. It has that small-town feel where people know each other, support local businesses, and genuinely take pride in where they live, while still being close enough to Harrisburg and everything the area has to offer.

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

AJ’s Hauling LLC is a locally owned junk removal company based in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania. We help homeowners, businesses, real estate professionals, contractors, and families with everything from a single piece of furniture to complete property cleanouts. That can include estate cleanouts, moving and downsizing projects, construction debris, appliances, furniture, garages, basements, sheds, and much more.

The company started very simply, with a trailer, a lot of determination, and a desire to build something based on treating people the way I would want to be treated. What started small gradually grew through word of mouth, repeat customers, and a commitment to showing up, doing what we said we would do, and taking care of people's property.

At the end of the day, we're really in the business of making difficult or overwhelming situations easier for people. Sometimes it's a homeowner who has accumulated years of belongings and doesn't know where to start. Sometimes it's a family dealing with an estate, a landlord preparing a property for a new tenant, or someone simply trying to get their home back in order. We handle the heavy lifting, loading, hauling, and disposal so the customer doesn't have to worry about it.

We also try to be thoughtful about what happens to the things we remove. Whenever possible, we donate usable items and recycle materials rather than sending everything straight to a landfill. For us, good service isn't just about taking something away, it's about making the entire process easier, more respectful, and less stressful for the customer.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

Put people first.

What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?

We currently have around 450 combined five-star Google reviews between our two locations. Honestly, it’s hard for me to pick just one that stands out. What means the most to me is the collective feedback and knowing that, as a company, we’ve been able to help people through difficult transitions, stressful situations, and everyday challenges while doing right by our customers.

Where do you see your company in the future?

I see AJ’s Hauling continuing to grow throughout Central Pennsylvania while staying true to the values that got us here. I’d like to continue expanding into new communities, creating opportunities for our team, and eventually explore expanding into other states as well.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that junk removal is simply loading things onto a truck and taking them to the dump. In reality, there's a lot more that goes into it, from responsible disposal and recycling to navigating difficult property cleanouts and helping people through major life transitions. It's a service built on hard work, trust, and treating people and their belongings with respect.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?

One of the biggest challenges is balancing all the responsibilities that come with running a business. From managing finances and keeping equipment up to date to overseeing daily operations and supporting our team, there are a lot of moving parts. At the end of the day, my priority is making sure our customers and employees are taken care of, while continuing to build a strong, sustainable business for the future.

How do I deal with it?

I try to stay determined, keep my faith in God, and remember why I started in the first place. I believe that when you lead with the right intentions and put people first, things have a way of working out. Whether it's taking care of our employees or making sure a customer feels supported during a difficult time, I try to lead with compassion, do the right thing, and focus on what I can control, even when things get challenging.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

I’d like to give a special shoutout to Mike Grier, who has been with me since the early days of the business and has trusted me to provide opportunities for him along the way. I also want to thank my wife for standing by my side through the ups and downs and the challenges of building this business. Finally, I’m grateful for everyone I’ve crossed paths with throughout my life. I believe every person and every experience has something to teach us, and I’m thankful for the lessons that have helped shape who I am today.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

We have a brief about us section on our website.