Buzz on Business: Moscarelli Junks One Career for Another

by | Mar 16, 2023

Above: Derek Moscarelli on the job. Submitted photo

Derek Moscarelli’s world came to a screeching halt three years ago with the arrival of the Covid pandemic, just like everyone else. Only, as a tour guide for a travel company – his final trip was with a group in New Zealand in February 2020 – his world really stopped. The two-week pause stretched to a month to three months and … you know the rest. 

“It was just me sitting home, out of work,” he recalled. “I have a truck and I just literally texted a bunch of friends and family,” to see if they needed help getting rid of things. “The timing was perfect because everyone was home decluttering.” One of his first jobs was from a friend with an old hot tub in the backyard he wanted to get rid of.  

“Low and behold, my phone started ringing,” Moscarelli said. 

It didn’t hurt that the real estate market shifted into overdrive too. 

“I thought this was going to tide me over for a few months,” he said, but soon he decided to form an LLC. Three years later, Moscarelli recently completed his 1,000 job. Some were major clean outs, some were just picking up one or two items and a lot were somewhere in between. 

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Moscarelli has learned the same skills he’d developed over the years as a tour guide have been remarkably transferable, especially the people skills. He’s noticed his reviews are a lot like the reviews he got when working for Colette Tours.

“It’s still a people job,” he said. ”I’m professional. I return the phone calls. I show up on time.” 

He also takes the time to really talk with his clients. “For a lot of them, it can be a difficult time,” he noted. Sometimes he’s cleaning out a house because of the death of a loved one. “They are overwhelmed and the stuff is just one more area of concern.”

Moscarelli acts as a middleman for the things he picks up. 

“The easy part for me is getting your things; the hard part is after that – where does everything go? Electronics … rigid plastics … mattresses,” he said. “After I leave, then the fun begins. We dispose of things responsibly.” 

That includes giving things away on the Buy Nothing EG/WG page on Facebook as well as donating “tons” to churches, Savers, Goodwill, and the Habitat for Humanity Store, among others. 

“Junk is such a bad word,” Moscarelli said. “For a lot of people it’s not junk, it’s their life possessions.” 

Moscarelli understands he’s gone from a quasi-glamor profession to one that is, well, not glamorous. But he’s enjoyed being home for long stretches for the first time in his adult life. And he likes being his own boss. 

“It’s totally night and day from what I was doing,” he said. “I used to travel all over the world and now I’m in basements and attics.”

You can reach Derek at 401 601 7910.

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Diana Pearson
Diana Pearson
March 17, 2023 9:05 am

I cannot praise Derek enough for his excellent work! I needed a home emptied to sell under probate court order and was so pleased at not only his professionalism, swiftness in completing the work but also his commitment to finding the best places for so much furniture and ‘stuff’. He is certainly doing his part to help save the planet.

Joe and Dolly Michalczyk
Joe and Dolly Michalczyk
June 22, 2023 6:14 pm
Reply to  Diana Pearson

Missing you Derek, a great tour manager! You will always be successful in whatever you undertake!

Jane Rollins
Jane Rollins
March 17, 2023 1:19 pm

It would be great to know the name/contact information for this business – you never know when a need will arise

Mickey St.Jean
Mickey St.Jean
March 17, 2023 2:54 pm

Derek is great! He helped me empty a LOT of stuff when I sold our family home of 36 years!! He’s just a real nice guy who does a great job!

Joannie Hinman
Joannie Hinman
March 17, 2023 3:32 pm

Derek’s career shift has been a huge help to my family. Can’t say enough about his dedication and professionalism! Highly recommend!!

Laura Dignan
March 17, 2023 5:14 pm

Derek is a wonderful man. We have used his services for a range of different things. He is professional, friendly and very reasonably priced.

Mary Lebeau
Mary Lebeau
March 17, 2023 5:33 pm

Derek is a great resource! I used his services to get rid of some furniture for a recent move. He is dependable and fair. He also gave me a recommendation for a handyman for a small job. Yay, Derek!

Jen
Jen
March 17, 2023 7:44 pm

Derek is awesome! He’s helped me out several times with junk removal…. he’s prompt and very fair with pricing!

Jodie Neville
Jodie Neville
March 18, 2023 7:45 am

Derek is the best! He’s helped so many of my clients (and my family too!) and I know when I give his contact info- that they are in great hands!

Heidi Johnson
Heidi Johnson
March 18, 2023 12:00 pm

Thank you for this article, Elizabeth, and thank you to everyone for their testimonies regarding Derek’s business. I’m at that age where downsizing is part of my daily life, and I feel like this information is an answer to prayer! I will be calling Derek soon!

El Smith
El Smith
March 18, 2023 3:21 pm

Derek has helped us out on several occasions. Every time it was a positive experience! We not only got the help we needed, if feel that we made a new friend!

Therese Vezeridis
Therese Vezeridis
March 20, 2023 7:16 am

Derek helped out my client at the 11th hour to clear out items that the buyer would not use. He answered his phone, arrived when he promised and did a careful, professional job. So I have added Derek to my List of Service Providers!!!

Kay Estep
Kay Estep
September 11, 2023 4:25 pm

Derek was an awesome tour guide, very professional with a great sense of humor! I miss having him on tour but know that whatever he does, he’ll be successful. Miss you my friend.

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