Trash is treasure for dad, daughter

Pair joins forces to run garbage removal business

When Kim Turner was laid off from her accounting job in 2004, the expectant mother sought a new career that would provide stability and flexible hours. She didn't have to look far.

Turner grew up in the refuse business. Her father, Harry Gillman, founded and sold two multi-million dollar waste removal companies in northern Virginia and East Tennessee since 1972.

"I was 2 years old when he started his first business," she said. "It's been as long as I can remember."

With her father's help, they started Loudon County-based Tennessee Trash Service, specializing in residential, commercial, construction and demolition waste removal.

"I wouldn't have been able to start it on my own, especially about to have a child. I knew I was going to have a job and insurance, so that was nice," Turner said.

The company started two days after Turner's daughter was born.

Turner did all the bookkeeping and Gillman and another employee drove their one truck picking up trash.

"It worked out good," Gillman said. "By the time we got bigger, so did her children."

Now, the 40-year-old mother of four runs the day-to-day business while Gillman, 61, focuses on residential sales and runs a separate asbestos management company.

Tennessee Trash has grown to serve 8,300 residential customers and 500 commercial businesses. Two years ago, the company launched a recycling program that serves 1,200 customers.

"Business has been so busy we go in different directions all the time," Gillman said.

The father-daughter conversations often surround figuring out what's wrong with one of their trucks at midnight. But the pair also makes time to go to trade shows together every year, and Turner consults with her dad on how to plan for growth and how to expand.

"He always says we don't need to get routes that are too scattered," Turner said.

"I've just learned that he knows more than me in this business," she added. "It's easy to get in a rut sometimes, but it's nice to be able to turn to someone you trust."

Replied Gillman, "Sometimes children have to go work for someone else to see the grass isn't always greener. I'm proud she's doing what she's doing. We're blessed."