From Homelessness to Six Figures: The Dumpster Diving Entrepreneur

In Nashville, Tennessee, a growing number of entrepreneurs are finding financial success by collecting and reselling discarded items, a practice that has allowed some, like 31-year-old Carter Stevens, to achieve six-figure incomes.

Stevens' journey from homelessness and significant debt to financial prosperity began approximately two years ago. He now makes a living by searching through dumpsters for items that can be resold, ranging from designer clothing and furniture to electronics and other discarded treasures.

His hauls have included luxury items such as a Gucci bag, BAPE sneakers, a Louis Vuitton shirt, and even a 65-inch television, all of which were reportedly thrown away by their previous owners. On occasion, Stevens has found items still in their original packaging or products that are currently trending among social media influencers.

Stevens' entrepreneurial venture into salvaging began after he discovered approximately 190 high-value Steelcase office chairs being discarded near a warehouse. He collected these chairs, using a trailer he had built for his junk removal business, and within six weeks, sold most of them for a profit of about $17,000. This success enabled him to pay off his credit card debt and repay a loan from a cousin.

This initial success prompted Stevens to expand his search to other locations, including warehouses, hotels, apartment complexes, and shopping centers. He also offers junk removal services, collecting items like couches, desks, lamps, and even iPads for resale. His online sales, particularly on eBay, reached $30,000 within his first six weeks of dedicated effort.

Stevens' background includes growing up in a financially comfortable environment as the son of successful music producer Chris Stevens, a five-time Grammy winner. However, he developed expensive tastes and struggled with compulsive spending and addiction, leading to financial difficulties, including periods of homelessness. He once slept in his storage unit and lived out of a Nissan Sentra before securing an apartment.

Despite the challenges and occasional confrontations, such as being approached by a security guard with a drawn weapon, Stevens views his work as providing a service. His father, Chris Stevens, while acknowledging the potential dangers of dumpster diving, also expressed understanding for his son's drive to achieve success through hard work.

Recognizing the physically demanding nature of dumpster diving and the potential for its profitability to decline, Stevens is now investing his savings. He is studying real estate wholesaling, utilizing resources like YouTube, TikTok, and Reddit, aiming to build a more stable future. He has adopted a new personal rule to only purchase items he believes he can eventually sell for a profit.