11.06.24
The Journey of Owning Builder Box USA
Business careers are often described as a “journey” because they seldom follow a straight line. Journeys imply starts and stops, twists and turns, peaks and valleys. Each one of those can result in a course correction. Katie Austin knows all about that, and how bold decisions can yield great outcomes.
Katie, a Fort Wayne native and with a business administration degree from Indiana Tech, is a shining example of how this works. As a young, single mom and, years later, as an established married businesswoman, Katie couldn’t overcome her fear of taking a big financial risk.
“I’ve wanted to be an entrepreneur all my life,” she said in a recent interview. “From the time I was 10 years old and was introduced to entrepreneurship through Junior Achievement at school, I’ve known that owning and operating my own business would not only be a dream come true, but is my life’s passion.”
Determined to turn her “Software as a Service” idea into reality, Katie joined the Launch Women Business Builder Pre-Accelerator program through the Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center at the NIIC. At the time, Katie worked for a software development startup specializing in construction planning and logistics. But the trials of constantly putting out fires at work, combined with the realization that she wouldn’t be able to pay herself for years if she started from scratch, made her consider another path.
“My husband, daughters, family, friends, and even employers have always been extremely supportive of me following my entrepreneurial dream, but I never took the plunge of getting investors,” she recalled. “Over the past few years I haven’t been able to get the thought out of my head that if I don’t start my own business, that will be my one regret in life.”
Rather than abandoning her journey, Katie remained involved with the WEOC and pondered the option of acquiring an existing business. She was introduced to Della Kirkman, CPA, who provided encouragement and practical guidance. Eventually, she and two local partners with construction backgrounds decided to acquire the assets of an existing company.
“I came to understand that if you can combine practical experience, your own God-given skills, and the right tools when you’re starting a business, you start ahead,” Katie declared.
Today, Katie is president of Builder Box USA, a roll-off dumpster rental service company serving customers in Northeast Indiana and beyond. Launched in early August of 2024, Builder Box USA provides efficient, reliable waste-removal solutions for both residential and commercial projects.
Distinctive sky-blue Builder Box dumpsters are available in capacities of 10-yards to 40-yards, and everything in between. They can be delivered to any jobsite, residential project, or commercial business in Northeast Indiana, as well as many places in Michigan and Ohio. More information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559887452925 and jobs can be booked online at www.builderboxusa.com
“Superior service, safety, and hand-crafted solutions are our top priorities,” Katie said of the new company’s mission. “We’ve received a great reception from the community thus far, and are very thankful to have so many contractors, builders, and homeowners looking for excellent, efficient waste-removal solutions give us a try and become repeat customers.”
There might be more course corrections in store for Katie Austin and the Builder Box team — after all, this is a company founded by folks who love to learn. If there are, Katie won’t be reluctant to make them. She has learned that getting there is half the fun — and the whole point.
