In a time when negative news often dominates headlines, a remarkable success story has emerged from Garfield Heights. Two teenage brothers have transformed a simple chore into an award-winning business that’s making a significant impact on their community.
From Video Games to Entrepreneurship
Andre Willis, 16, and his brother Drevian Arrington, 13, are the founders of “The Trash Boys” – a business that began as a mother’s attempt to get her sons away from video games and into more productive activities.
“They were spending hours playing video games,” their mother Jasmine Arrington explained. What started as a reluctant neighborhood cleanup activity has evolved into a thriving business that’s garnered national attention and prestigious awards.
A Business Built on Community Needs
The Trash Boys offers a range of services focused on helping community members, particularly seniors and those with disabilities:
- Trash can curbside service
- Trash can cleaning
- Yard cleanup and maintenance
- Junk removal
- Moving and loading assistance
The brothers found their calling after noticing elderly neighbors struggling with routine tasks like taking trash cans to the curb. This observation sparked a business idea that addressed a genuine need while allowing them to make a difference in their community.
Award-Winning Impact
In February 2025, the brothers’ entrepreneurial journey reached a new milestone when they won the grand prize at the 11th annual Accelerate: Citizens Make Change civic pitch competition in Cleveland. Their presentation, “From Trash to Triumph!” impressed judges and audience members, earning them the $5,000 top prize through audience vote.
This victory followed earlier recognition from the Garfield Heights City Council and Mayor Matt Burke, who presented Willis and Arrington with a resident recognition award in August 2024, celebrating their positive impact on the community.
Beyond Business: Creating Opportunity for Others
The Trash Boys has evolved beyond a simple service business. The brothers are developing a program called “Turning Trash into Triumph” (T.T.T.), which aims to provide employment opportunities and mentorship for local youth.
“We are tired of seeing senseless crimes that the youth in our community are committing,” Jasmine Arrington shared. “We want to create a three-month initiative to give boys a chance to turn their lives around through structure, mentorship, field work, and other positive activities.”
Growth and Future Plans
The brothers plan to use their competition winnings to expand their business and further develop their youth initiative. They’re working on creating a website and app to streamline services and are exploring hiring additional employees as they grow.
Their business, now a registered LLC in Ohio, has expanded services to Garfield Heights, Bedford, Maple Heights, and Cleveland, with some businesses sponsoring services for seniors who cannot afford them.
Community Support
The Trash Boys’ success story has resonated throughout Northeast Ohio, with community members, business leaders, and local officials rallying behind their efforts.
“We want to reward the youth that are doing the good things around our city,” Mayor Matt Burke said when presenting the brothers with their recognition award last year.
The brothers’ story demonstrates how young entrepreneurs can make a meaningful difference while building successful businesses that address real community needs. Their journey from reluctant trash collectors to award-winning business owners serves as an inspiration for other young people looking to make a positive impact in their communities.
For Garfield Heights, The Trash Boys represent the kind of positive local story that highlights the community’s support for innovation and youth entrepreneurship – values that help build stronger, more connected neighborhoods.
For more information or to support The Trash Boys, visit their website and social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
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