Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Domnenko.
Mark began his business experience at the young age of 15 selling energy drinks at school. By 21 he had a few business ventures, some successful and many that failed but were instrumental at building him up. Operations ranging from a car wash, small dealership, web design, cleaners, junk removal, iPhone app, bank foreclosure cleanouts and many more. From that experience came the company AVA Recycling. At age 27 Mark led AVA Recycling to become one of the largest e-recycling companies in the region and has expanded it into junk removal, document shredding and a large computer repair shop. Many do not know that Mark and the AVA Team actively manage a construction & clean out operation that compliments the Junk removal and E-recycling operations. Mr. Advocate Roofing-Windows-Exterior Painting: does all sorts of construction and restoration of storm damaged homes including certified mold remediation. Mark and the Team decided to expand the construction & roofing operation by recently acquiring an established landscaping & tree service company that they rebranded to be known as Smart Lawn. AVA Recycling Services control many recycling events under its wing and also has the largest drop off collection network currently available. They have partnered with many other businesses to attain this level of exposure. Their data destruction and wiping services offer an array of different types of services to meet the needs of major corporations and residents. They work with companies that use state of the art processing of CRT tube glass which insures proper recycling for end of life toxic items.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
When you are a serial entrepreneur, you have more ideas than you can handle. Starting business while going to food pantries is a rite of passage for me, however the mistakes I have made are over burdening myself with ideas. I had to learn the main lesson, and am still learning that I need to focus more and more on what I am good at which is branding. The team I have allows me to have ideas, but only if they feel we are ready for the next business venture. Never being formally trained but having a father who started a company from nothing when we moved the states. I worked under his wing and learned business and trades for a few years. I tried to go to college but had to drop out as the institutional mindset was not for me, I thought researching was the only way to start a business. I have always tried to build a “franchise” out of whatever business I had. This in term made me fail on many businesses because it just doesn’t work on some, but primarily not enough capital to get started. When I started AVA Recycling, I wanted to become the largest online based recycler because I knew how to get to the top of google. My father at that time was working with some banks to do residential restoration of foreclosed homes so we were already going scrap yards. I used the van from my carwash to do the pick-ups and started creating a presence on the internet. I also quickly learned that my father had a vision for scrap and I had a vision for service. Scrap you can’t Franchise, Service you can. We didn’t do much business together.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the AVA Recycling story. Tell us more about the business.
Typically, I am known as a website and branding guru. I had no formal training but due to starting and failing at so many businesses in so many fields, I was able to learn a little about every single marketing strategy. Whenever I tried to start a business I always tried to do as much research as possible into the legal aspects, and marketing strategies of current “franchises” starting from a young kid. I tried to become the largest online based recycling company as most of my competitors were very wealthy, and had very large contracts. I was the only company that tried to become the go to online recycler. The main issue that occurred is that I started growing too fast, and I also had many complaints. Like most all recycling companies, you have to operate in the lowest rent space available as high-density population means expensive rent (which doesn’t work in our industry) No one wanted to travel to us so I created a unique program of partnering up with local businesses in most major towns and villages throughout. We got to over 30 drop off points and while most competitors only had 1 warehouse. We were never the biggest recycler, but we were always the most available and recognized for convenience.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I define luck more as risk tolerance. I have an unhealthy amount of risk tolerance. I’m willing to give everything to make what I do work. At many times to the detriment of my family as I am sometimes not home and sleep at the office. Luckily, I have a family and wife who is my partnering in doing this.
Links:
http://www.avarecycling.com/
http://www.recyclecomputerchicago.com/
https://www.escrap.org/
http://www.smart-lawn.com/
http://www.junkant.net/
http://www.tvjunk.co/
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
