In this episode of Scaling the Gap, Madeleine MacRae speaks with Bruce Kozak, co-founder of Bin There, Dump That, a residential dumpster rental franchise. After getting laid off from his job in the steel industry, Bruce and his wife, Loy, decided to start a business that helps people clear out clutter during major life changes like downsizing, divorce, or loss.

Bruce explains how they built a service that’s focused on people, not just hauling junk. He talks about what they got wrong early on, especially around hiring, and how they’ve built a team based on trust, respect, and clear communication. He also shares how his view of success has changed. It’s not about chasing growth at all costs. It’s about enjoying the work, having time for family, and building something that lasts.

Bruce is honest about the challenges and open about the mindset shifts that helped him move forward. If you’re building a business or thinking about what kind of work you want to do, this conversation has a lot to offer. It’s a real look at what it means to grow with purpose and lead with values.

Key Takeaways

• Why clutter is more than mess, it’s mental weight, and how removing it can feel like freedom
• The power of customer empathy in "unseen" industries
• Why hiring is hard, and how to look for aligned attitudes over perfect resumes
• The three values that underpin Bruce’s leadership: Respect, Trust, and Honesty
• How to lead a team that mirrors your mission and elevates customer experience
• The hidden emotional labor behind life transitions and how a business can serve through it
• That success isn’t always material; sometimes it’s joy in the work and time with the people you love

• [00:00] Introduction to Bruce Kozak
• [05:00] The story behind “Bin There, Dump That”
• [08:45] The psychological relief of decluttering
• [12:14] Unexpected joys of building a mission-driven business
• [17:37] Struggles with hiring, alignment, and cultural fit
• [20:28] Customer friction, emotional labor, and service recovery
• [24:30] The nobility of serving through “humble” work
• [27:56] Bruce’s definition of success
• [35:37] Where to find Bruce

• [12:54] "Train them well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don’t want to." — Bruce Kozak
• [16:08] "Your team always mirrors you. You're going to bring what you bring." — Madeleine MacRae
• [20:30] "Agility is one of those very under-discussed component parts of building a business." — Madeleine MacRae
• [26:03] "Being in deep service of something other people would discard, that’s powerful." — Madeleine MacRae
• [29:08] "Testing yourself, realizing your limitations, and working on that: to me, yes, that’s success." — Bruce Kozak

Bruce Kozak is the co-owner of Bin There, Dump That – Pittsburgh & Northeast Ohio, a franchise providing residential-friendly dumpster rental services. With a background in steel and a heart for service, Bruce and his wife Loy Kozak built their business on values that reflect their marriage: Trust, respect, and honesty. Their mission is about more than hauling junk; it’s about helping people through life transitions with dignity and care.

Resources and Links

Bruce Kozak

• Website - https://www.bintheredumpthat.com/
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-a-kozak-6948499/

• Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/
• Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough