Josh Cohen is an accomplished entrepreneur and the visionary founder of The Junkluggers, a leading junk removal company that has made a significant impact in the industry since its inception in 2004. With a remarkable journey that began with his mother’s SUV, Cohen bootstrapped Junkluggers, franchised the concept and expanded it into one of the largest and most recognized junk removal brands in the world, all while maintaining a socially responsible, eco-friendly mission. Under his leadership, the company grew to service over 350 markets across the United States, becoming a household name in many of the areas it serves.
Cohen’s entrepreneurial spirit and deep understanding of service brands have been honed over two decades of operating in this space. He has successfully built a franchise system while observing both the successes and challenges faced by franchisees. This experience had informed his approach to Junkluggers, allowing him to develop robust support systems for his franchise partners, including a national commercial accounts program, a world class national call center, sales strategies, business coaching programs, and comprehensive budgeting and financial support. At the time of it’s acquisition, Junkluggers had approximately 100 franchisees servicing the 350 markets.
The growth of Junkluggers can be attributed to Cohen’s heavy focus on strategy, aggressive marketing, operational efficiency, building great teams, brand differentiation, and the addition of services tailored to customer needs. In late 2022 after running a very competitive process with his investment banking team, Cohen sold the company to one of the largest franchise service companies, Authority Brands, owned by APAX and BCI – a strategic private equity firm.
Josh joined the SMB team in December 2024 after completing his transition to the new owners earlier in the year. He reached out to the team who helped him to begin his franchising journey to be a resource for aspiring founders in the service industries. In his role with SMB he works with select clients as a mentor, coach and peer advisor.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Josh is a devoted family man. He resides in Connecticut, with his wife, Peggy, and their three children. In his spare time, Cohen is an avid athlete, enjoying activities such as tennis, efoiling (a form of surfing), golfing and skiing. He is also learning to be a pilot, reflecting his adventurous spirit and desire for new challenges. His commitment to both his business and personal life exemplifies a balanced approach that emphasizes hard work and family values.