Help Joe Turn Junk To Treasure For Many

Help Joe Turn "Junk" into "Treasure" and Build a Second Chance

My name is Joe, and I'm reaching out with a heartfelt plea for a hand up, not a handout. After graduating high school and serving in the military for four years, I've lived by a simple code for over 25 years: hard work, dedication, and serving others. From my time as a highly decorated U.S. Army Sergeant, fighting for our country in Desert Shield and Desert Storm, to building a successful career in IT, I've always tackled challenges head-on. But life has thrown many unexpected curveballs, and now I need your support to realize a long-held dream and prevent a significant loss.

After proudly serving our country, I was pulled from college classes while on inactive reserve and sent to the front lines. Upon my return, I faced a heartbreaking battle with PTSD and nerve damage from combat. The loss of my medical records meant I couldn't access the benefits I'd earned, leaving me to grapple with these invisible wounds on my own. My college dreams were derailed, and in the years that followed, I endured additional heartbreak with the loss of my fiancée to cancer and then my beloved mother, the only two women who truly loved me. These profound losses, combined with my introverted nature and the way friends moved on, left me isolated. My remaining family rarely contacts me, and I've felt like a burden, particularly when my car troubles forced me to borrow theirs. I never even got on social media, so I don't have online connections to lean on. In fact, I'm incredibly grateful for the availability of AI now, as my social anxiety makes it difficult for me to express myself this well otherwise. Despite these emotional tolls, my drive to succeed led me to an emotionally rewarding career in IT, even as I was consistently underpaid for my skills.

Then, COVID-19 hit. As a "critical worker" for General Motors, I worked tirelessly earning more GM Recognition awards than everyone else, even contracting COVID twice and nearly dying. When I finally sought recovery time, I was denied because nobody was willing to voluntarily cover my nights and weekends shift and even got a GM Recognition just hours before I was unjustly fired when I file a complaint with HR. As Texas is an at-will employment state, I couldn't pursue legal action. I found a new job at IBM less than 3 months later, where I finally started making closer to what I was worth. This was my moment to invest heavily in my future. Unfortunately, IBM soon shuttered my department after a year, laying off all local employees and leaving me unemployed for another 18 months. I applied for hundreds of jobs, often feeling that being told I was "overqualified" was a polite way of saying I was simply too old for positions where most employees were half my age. Thanks to a personal recommendation from my IBM supervisor, I eventually secured my current state job.

Today, I'm grateful to be working for the state. While I'm making half of what I should be, I truly love my coworkers and the job offers stability and flexibility, allowing me to pursue my passion project: Junktotreaure. My vision is simple: to rescue valuable items from thrift stores, garage sales, and auctions – things others might see as "junk" – and get them into the hands of people who will truly treasure them. This isn't just a business; it's about keeping useful items out of landfills and providing much-needed bargains to families in these tough economic times, especially with rising prices.

I went all in, acquiring over $250,000 worth of incredibly diverse inventory – from furniture, art, and collectibles to electronics, clothes, and toys. My initial plan was to lease a dedicated warehouse space in Austin, allowing me 24/7 access, electricity, and restrooms – essential facilities that commercial storage units simply don't provide. I had seen "For Lease" signs everywhere and, with funds to pay for a lease, I couldn't imagine I'd be denied. I envisioned an efficient operation where I could properly catalog, clean, photograph, and prepare items for sale quickly. I had even invested in all the equipment I would need, currently also in some of those storage spaces, for warehouse operations including heavy duty shelves, storage totes, small refrigerator, water cooler dispenser, microwave, and boxes to ship items for items posted on ebay and amazon. I was ready to hit the ground running but had the opportunity denied to me.

But the commercial real estate world had other plans. Despite my best efforts, and even offering to pay a year's lease upfront, brokers wouldn't work with me because I wasn't an "established business" with multiple employees.

This left me with 22 storage units full of fantastic inventory, costing me an unsustainable amount each month. The inability to work efficiently due to the limited hours, no power, and no restrooms at the units severely hampered my progress. I've drained my savings, hoping and praying for a miracle of a business loan. The immense stress from this situation, coupled with the constant thought of losing everything I've invested in and the crushing weight of depression, contributed to two mild strokes earlier this year, requiring emergency room visits and overnight stays. I'm just now getting back to full health to start listing items again, but my savings are gone, and I'm at risk of losing everything.

My Path Forward & How You Can Help

I've finally found a smaller warehouse space in Round Rock, TX, and they're willing to lease to me, but I'll need to pay for every three months in advance. This is a vital step toward making Junktotreaure a reality. However, I need immediate funding to:

Pay 3 months of warehouse rent in advance.

Cover the costs of moving inventory from the 22 storage units to the warehouse.

Maintain the remaining storage units as I systematically empty them.

Purchase essential supplies for cleaning, minor repairs, and shipping.

My goal is to raise $50,000 to cover these critical expenses for the next few months. This will give me the crucial breathing room to consolidate my inventory, set up an efficient operation, and start selling effectively.

The Impact of Your Support

With this funding, I can:

Protect my massive inventory from being lost, saving years of effort and investment and alleviating the immense burden I've been carrying.

Get valuable items into the hands of consumers at unbeatable prices, helping them stretch their budgets during these hard financial times. I can even offer items at three convenient locations: the Round Rock warehouse, near my North Austin storage units, or near downtown for pick-ups closer to my work.

Prevent tons of usable goods from ending up in landfills, fulfilling my passion for repurposing and reducing waste.

Prove that hard work and perseverance can pay off, even when the odds are stacked against you.

I'm a workaholic, driven to make this succeed. Once in the warehouse, I plan to work 4 hours every weekday after my state job, plus 10 hours each on Saturday and Sunday. I've already proven my concept, making $6,000 in just one month from less than 200 items listed on Facebook Marketplace. With proper space and consistent effort, I know I can generate over $10,000 a month and beyond.

I've always believed in earning my way, and it's humbling to ask for charity. I never wanted a handout, just a hand up. I exhausted my savings and pursued every other avenue, including desperately seeking a business loan. It's crucial to mention that while I would still prefer a legitimate loan I can repay, the financial desperation has also opened me up to predatory lenders. I've encountered numerous scams from individuals pretending to be loan officers, solely trying to steal my personal information. This adds further immense stress and emotional toll, as it feels like people are trying to kick you when you are already down. Before resorting to the kindness of strangers, I truly tried everything. I hope I can pay this forward with my efforts to get items to people for affordable prices. This isn't just for me; it's about connecting people with quality goods they'll cherish and giving these items a second life.

If you can offer a hand up, please consider donating. Every dollar brings me closer to realizing this dream and proving that perseverance and passion can overcome any obstacle. If I make a profit, I am committed to repaying any kindness and helping others in kind.

Thank you for your time, your compassion, and your belief in someone who just needs a fair shot to bring his "junk" to others as "treasure."