Exploring the huge potential in waste disposal and recycling with Vavia

The waste disposal and recycling industry is one of the less popular fields which is gaining attention is the recent decade. In this interview lets explore the huge potential in waste disposal and recycling with with Phillip Nappi – President/Co-Founder OF VaVia. Philip is no stranger to business or the disposal and recycling industry. He has over two decades of experience in this industry. Let us find out what drives the brand and the man behind it to succeed.

1. How did you enter the franchise business?

Being a lifelong industry veteran of the waste industry and after a recent exit, decided to form VaVia after seeing a huge market opportunity by utilizing smaller trucks and containers and leveraging technology to shake up the industry. My previous partner, Mike Ampe, had retired “again”, but had a sincere interest in one more round. He was eager to get back in and to bring his franchising experience, as he saw the potential for franchisees to have great success in markets across the country.

2. Where and how did the idea of your concept come from?

Smaller trucks and containers began as niche, but now they are a necessity in the construction waste disposal world. In our past experiences we knew that smaller containers brought bigger margins as it provides lower operating costs and you can use non-cdl drivers. However, smaller containers bring about many advantages, you can see and reach into them, and they’re easier and more sustainable to transport. We also believed we could bring a new level of customer service to the market and deliver containers same day or next day, something totally unexpected in the industry.

3. What inspired the brand name?

VaVia is italian for “it goes away”. It was inspired by my Italian heritage and the fact that we are a tech driven waste company in an industry devoid of most tech, we wanted a name that made you ask a question.

4. What is the story behind the brand’s logo?

A long time friend and colleague that has worked with us in prior businesses, Erin McMillan, designed the entire style guide. We wanted some that was clean and simple and flowed well with our tagline, “Easy go.”

5. What makes your brand different from your competitors?

We focus on people, we focus on service. We are extremely value driven, and our commitment to bringing great people up from within our company and adding them through our franchise network is tangible when you work with us. We invest in our people with more benefits and pay than any competitor, we keep our equipment in top shape and we deliver an on-time service.

In all, we find in markets with contractors and other construction professionals use VaVia for the first time, they never leave us. We’re just so different than competitors, and it comes from a real pride from within the company.

6. What are the essential qualities that you look for in a franchisee?

On the financial side, we seek someone with a strong balance sheet as this is a capital intensive business. From the personality side, they need to have a sincere heart for customer service and people to execute on what makes VaVia special.

7. How long does it take, on average, for your franchisee to realize their investment?

With our 70 plus years experience in the waste industry, we’ve found it is very fast when franchisees follow our program.

8. What was the major challenge you faced in your career and how did you overcome it?

Learning to stay patient and understand during the bad days that better days are ahead. When we stay patient during learning experiences and keep focused on what we know we are capable of achieving, we can be more effective leaders.

8.1 What is your best achievement?

Understanding my faith is first and marrying my wife.

9. How does your business day start?

4am prayer and devotion and a lot of coffee.

10. What was your best moment throughout your franchise career?

Every day is great.

11. Where do you see your brand in the next 5 years?

We focus on our franchisee’s profitability so we plan to be in the $30M ebitda range total franchise system wide in the next five years.

12. Any tips you want to impart to our readers who want to be in the franchise industry?

Love what you do and love people. It will make your business something that people want to work in and work with.

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