Steve Deveaux, the owner of JDog Junk Removal Tampa, and his fiance Danielle Woodruff, the senior vice president of JDog Tampa, have scored a lifetime partnership with new investment and advisory services company, Military Veteran Partners (MVP).
On Sept. 6, MVP selected the couple as one of seven entrepreneurs around the country to receive additional mentorship, training and support to meet their goal of hiring 100 veterans. It's invested $20 million in various JDog franchises including Tampa, which are committed to veteran hiring.
JDog Junk Removal offers veterans jobs cleaning up the community in eco-friendly ways by removing junk from both residential and commercial locations and either donating or recycling the items they collect, as well as other services such as light hauling or select demolition.
This investment allows franchises like Tampa to expand their territories and ultimately improve the lives, careers, and businesses of more American veterans and their families.
"Our mission is to serve those who served," said MVP CEO Steve Cloetingh.
"We view this as an excellent platform to grow entrepreneurship in a great way by providing capital, trading, networking, mentoring and ultimately help veterans in that transition."
Steve Deveaux said it's an honor they are truly grateful for, but they don't do it for the recognition.
"It's a big help in spreading our mission and being a part of MVP has given us the tools that we wouldn't be able to provide on our own," he said.
"The veteran community don't get a lot of recognition that they deserve and just to know that there are platforms that value their work ethic and care about them is great. It sends a message that we're there for them."