Ty Keeps Fallen Friends’ Dream Alive

Tyron ​“Ty” Clemmons saw a need for more work opportunities for youth — so he founded his own junk removal and landscaping business.

Clemmons, 21, is the owner of ​“24HrJunkies.”

The business was inspired by his passion for entrepreneurship, getting his hands dirty, and offering youth with opportunities to learn new skills. 

Clemmons, a New Haven native, grew up first in the Hill, then moved to Newhallville at age 13. He graduated from Wilbur Cross High School in 2020 and founded his business in the winter of 2021. 

Ultimately Clemmons hopes for the business not just to offer its services to the community but to also be a first-job resource for local youth. 

He knows there is more to New Haven than living a dangerous and unfulfilling street life, because he’s gone through that himself, he said. He hopes for 24HrJunkies to be a first step for youth to learn skills as well as convey the idea that they, too, can be entrepreneurs. 

Last November Clemmons was incarcerated for several weeks. He took that time to plan his business. He had thought up the idea before then but hadn’t yet begun serious planning.

“I just came home and took a risk,” he recalled.

24HrJunkies offers moving services, landscaping, and junk removal throughout the state. 

This month Clemmons added pool cleaning to his services.

So far Clemmons has done about 50 jobs since starting the business last December. He hopes to increase the number of commercials jobs he does in addition to residential work.

He opened his work to his brothers and nephews. As his nine nephews get older, he hopes to ​“show them there’s more than the streets.”

“It’s easy to fall victim to the trap,” he said. ​“So I want to show the little guys that’s there are other ways.” 

This year Clemmons also started as a coach for the New Haven Steelers youth football team. ​“If they want to learn then some of them could work for me. You just need that desire and drive,” he said. In the future, he said, he’d like to start a travel football team.

His advice to youth and others interested in starting a business: ​“Don’t be scared to take risk,” Invest in yourself.” And: ​“Don’t sell yourself short.” 

As his business expands, Clemmons hopes to provide youth with work experience and employ a team of workers who were formerly incarcerated. 

“We need more jobs for people that deserve a second or third chance,” he said.

Before starting his own business, Clemmons had several jobs, beginning with construction work at age 13. 

As he grew up, his father was incarcerated; he was raised by his mother and uncle. He is the youngest of six, and the only one to graduate high school.

He learned wood cutting and customer service from jobs at Home Depot, in warehouses, and at Stop and Shop. Most of the skills he uses on a daily basis, like junk removal and landscaping skills he learned from tagging along on jobs with his grandfather, who worked for the housing authority. He learned how to power wash and cut grass from YouTube and TikTok videos. 

“I had no one to go to but YouTube and my granddad,” he said. 

Jobs typically consist of removing trash from residential areas and reorganizing the spaces, doing garden and lawn maintenance by mowing and raking lawns, and collecting and disposing of bulk garbage.

Where The Motivation Comes From

Clemmons lost two of his main supporters and friends in the past two years, Kaymar Tanner and Antonio ​“TB Hunnitgzz” McCotter, whose lives were both cut short at 22 years old. 

His business name memorializes his friend Tanner, who was often known by friends as ​“Shorty” and was always ​“outside chasing dreams” and money. 

Clemmons got a tattoo on his right arm reading ​“24HrShorty” in memory of how his friend was always working. Clemmons said he idolized Tanner and learned a lot about expanding his skill set. He often talked with the two about their dreams to become athletes and entrepreneurs. When he kicked off his business, he completed his first dozen jobs with the help of McCotter.

He and McCotter, whom he met at Wilbur Cross, grew close in the last two years. He described McCotter as his ​“brodie,” who was one of his main business supporters. 

Earlier this month 24HrJunkies hosted a community basketball tournament in honor of Tanner and McCotter. Clemmons shared a love for football and basketball with them. 

Before McCotter died in March, he and Clemmons were planning on hosting the annual tournament in honor of Tanner. Once McCotter died unexpectedly, Clemmons said, he was driven to keep his promise to his best friend.