Today we’d like to introduce you to Derrick Morrison.
Hi Derrick, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey began during my senior year of high school. While working at a local car wash on Kent Island, I saved enough money to put a down payment on a dump trailer and started offering junk removal services throughout the area. I began posting in local Facebook groups and introducing my services to residents and businesses throughout the community. I remember my first client, a $150.00 garage clean out, that man is still one of my close friends to this day.
Job by job, I began building relationships with local residents and business owners. Many of those relationships eventually became some of my closest friendships and most influential mentorships. The real world can be an unforgiving place, and it is rare to find people who, despite having their own businesses, families, and challenges, are willing to go out of their way to help a young kid pursue a dream that he was still trying to define himself. I was fortunate to meet many people who did exactly that.
In late 2022, through a friend of a friend, I learned about a hooklift trailer for sale that came with two dumpsters. I saw an opportunity to enter the dumpster rental industry and decided to take another risk. Once again, I made the purchase with very little money and no work lined up. I simply knew I had to find a way to make it work. One of the first calls I made was to Jim Rubush, owner of Fence & Deck Connection. Jim and I met at one of his offices, where we discussed my services and a problem his company was experiencing that I believed I could help solve. He gave me an opportunity to prove myself, and that opportunity became Haul-Out’s first client.
That initial “yes” played a pivotal role in getting Haul-Out off the ground. To this day, Haul-Out continues to provide dumpster services to Jim’s company without missing a single job. More importantly, that first meeting taught me a lesson that continues to guide the business today: don’t just sell a service—solve a problem. When you make your clients’ lives easier and their businesses running smoothly, you create real value.
In 2023, I purchased my first truck to improve the reliability and professional appearance of the business. I learned early that perception matters. Whether fair or not, people will always judge you, and I wanted Haul-Out to make a positive impression every time we arrived on a job.
Shortly afterward, I entered the street sweeping industry through the same individual who had originally sold me the hooklift trailer. Once again, someone was willing to give me an opportunity to prove myself. For nearly two years, I operated street sweeping routes throughout Kent Island, Annapolis, Baltimore, and surrounding areas, keeping parking lots clean seven nights a week. During that time, I acquired additional trucks and had one of my closest friends working alongside me the entire time.
In 2024, while balancing street sweeping and dumpster rentals, I decided to invest in my first hooklift truck. The investment gave Haul-Out greater reliability, capability, and a more professional presence on job sites. Through continued networking, relationship building, and simply putting myself out there, I was able to grow the dumpster inventory by 125% in 2025. For much of that year, virtually our entire inventory was consistently out on jobs.
2025 was also the year I made the difficult decision to leave the street sweeping industry. Although it was a major part of my journey and a bittersweet decision, the operation had become extremely time-consuming and capital-intensive, and I knew it was beginning to take away from the growth of the dumpster business. Ultimately, it proved to be the right decision. With my focus back on dumpsters, Haul-Out began accelerating.
In 2026, I entered the 30-yard dumpster market and purchased another truck to accommodate the larger containers. As Haul-Out’s customer base continues to grow through word of mouth and we take on increasingly larger projects, having the capacity to handle more volume has become a necessity. We are now preparing for another stage of growth, including bringing on a new driver.
When dumpsters became my primary focus in early 2023, Haul-Out had 2 dumpsters. Today, we move approximately 15–30 dumpsters per week.
I don’t believe you need to be the smartest person in the room, come from wealth, or have every opportunity perfectly lined up to pursue something you believe you can build. I am still so early in this journey, and look forward to continued success of Haul-Out. Sometimes you simply need to be willing to take the first step, work relentlessly, and have people around you who are willing to stand by you no matter the weather.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Looking at it from a not-so-optimistic side, business is constantly hurdles, challenges, and people trying to get the best of you, for their benefit, but the trick to not succumb to the pressure, is to not listen to the noise. I have found you have to be able to filter quality advice and information, from nonsense. Some people you may love or look up to have never done what you’re trying to do, and you can’t let small minds hold you back.
One big moment was turning down the Elevator union position I was suppose to pursue. A career where I could make a couple hundred grand a year, have all the benefits I could ask for, and make friends that I’m sure would last a lifetime. When they called after a year and a half of hearing nothing, they gave me 2 hours to decide if I wanted the position or not. I called him back exactly 2 hours later, and told the gentleman I could not come up with a yes or no answer and if that was implied as a no, then I understand. From that point on, the “bridges had been burned”, and I knew I only had one option, which was to figure this dumpster stuff out..
I have had my bank account to negative, due broken equipment, bills, losing money on jobs, not getting paid from jobs, and other things. I have been told No more times than yes, and yet you have to keep your head up knowing the good days will come.
I also have lost very meaningful relationships, that succumbed to the restriction of time, effort, and focus. Due to the fact that myself and business is my focus, and nothing else can be allowed to disturb that, because nobody else will build my future for me, my friends, and my future family.
Buying equipment is also very difficult when you’re younger. Banks won’t want to lend money, they’ll talk down on you, everything is expensive, and when you can only afford used, you are taking a risk of buying a money pit. But one day, you will remember the ones who treated you well, and the ones that treated you like a piece of trash that you would throw in a dumpster, haha.
We all have obstacles and challenges to deal with every day, you just have to decipher the lesson from it all, and keep on moving. Being in business will inherently be difficult, though the return on the investment can be infinite.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My company Haul-Out provides 15 Yard, 20 Yard, and 30 yard “Open top” dumpsters rentals all over the state of Maryland. I provide Same to Next Day service, and unrivaled communication and customer service. Our services are tailored to clients needing a Quality, Reliable, & Fast to Respond dumpster service that will add value to their operations. Saving them Time, Money, and hopefully building a lasting relationship.
Many homeowners utilize our dumpsters for Home Clean-Outs, Garage Clean-Outs, Brush Debris, DIY projects, and much more.
On the commercial side, we provide service to –
-Kitchen, Bath, & General Interior Remodeling Companies
-Roofing & Siding Contractors
-Property Managers
-Commercial General Contractors
-Deck & Fence Contractors
-Custom Home Builders
-Property Investors
And many more.
With humility, I would say my company is known for being Professional, fast to respond and deliver, transparent, hard working, and always positive, uplifting, and personable. There is no room for unneeded “corporatizing” in Haul-Out.
Haul-Outs pricing structure is the most cost effective & transparent for clients. We don’t make hidden profit on top of you, we charge you a realistic price for our services, and that’s it. I always take extra time with my clients to ensure they are receiving the right service that will best fit their needs, and budget.
Our pricing structure is a Dumpster Cost + Disposal cost structure. This means you pay a lower dumpster cost than our competitors, and you pay disposal cost at-cost, not pro-rated. This structure is superior to the “weight included” structure, that is an overall Flat rate dumpster price with weight included. That means you’re paying for a certain tonnage, that you may or may not use. Which if you go over that weight, you’re paying more too..
I enjoy donating to local events, fundraisers, and organizations. As well as occasionally donating dumpsters to clients in need. Where I have the ability to atleast shed a slight bit of light on a dark time they may be going through.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Everyone’s definition of success is different, and being 23, it is hard to grasp what all you are chasing sometimes.
To me, Success is building a life that gives me freedom, meaningful relationships, good health, and the ability to create experiences—not just for myself, but for the people on the journey that I cherish. It means building a successful business that gives me the freedom to have a family, cultivate a close circle of genuine friends, and experience as much of this world as possible together. And ultimately, success means having enough abundance and gratitude to give back to the people who believed in me, supported me, and helped me along my journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hauloutmd.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HaulOutHauling/
- Other: (410) – 949 – 0123
