Brookfield couple wanted to own a business with a heart. Their junk removal business gives back
BROOKFIELD — For months, Jake Sweeney and Pierina Cappelletti discussed opening a new business — something that they “could call our own” — but the husband-and-wife team also wanted to help their community.
“I used to work construction, but wanted something more stable and permanent, a business my wife and I could call our own,” Sweeney said. “My wife is from Peru, but she loves this country, and wanted us to find a business where we could give back to the community, specifically the military, seniors and people with disabilities.”
After doing research, the couple discovered there was a need in the area for a company that does junk removal, bulk item pickups and dumpster rentals. The couple opened Purple Heart Carting, their first business venture, in January in Brookfield.
In addition to removing junk, the Brookfield company also picks up donated items such as food and clothes that can be given to senior citizens as well as military veterans.
“We chose Purple Heart Carting as a name because my wife used to work taking care of elderly people and some were veterans,” Sweeney said. “We both first-hand saw their need for assistance, so decided we wanted to give back to our veterans and seniors. We donate items to people in need and offer discounts to the veterans, seniors and people with disabilities. As we grow, we would like to do more.”
The company, which he said is fully licensed and insured, offers trash-out services, appliance removal; small demolition and estate, home and office clean outs. Customers can rent a dumpster from Purple Hart Carting, which also picks up bulky items that are donated, recycled or disposed of, including furniture, building materials, televisions and computer equipment.
“We do a bulky item and trash overflow curbside pickup the last Sunday of every month in Brookfield,” Sweeney said. “That allows us to have lower prices. And if anyone can’t physically move their stuff to the curb, we help free of charge. We plan on branching out to other towns in the future.”
Cappelletti is also hands-on in helping with the donation pickups and junk removal.
“There is no better group than our military to give back to and I feel they give us a lot,” she said. “Many veterans and their families need help and so do seniors, and that’s where donated items we pick up can help. It has been an exciting couple of months for us, especially with all the positive feedback we have had from customers.”
Purple Heart Carting also makes donations to others. After a trampoline was donated, a local mother saw it was available and asked for it for her son. Purple Heart Carting disassembled it for transportation and then reassembled it for the boy to use.
Sweeney, 26, who has not served in the military, said he believes one thing separates his business from similar ones in the area.
“It’s our customer care,” he said. “Our pricing is a lot more fair for customers. We will always give discounts to veterans and seniors. One thing I’ve noticed when we do pickups, customers always love it when they see my wife is there. I guess they like seeing a husband and wife team working together.”
For more information, visit purpleheartcarting.com, send email to purpleheartcarting@gmail.com or call 203-241-6255.
