FEBRUARY Member spotlight: HaulDash

What is your business industry category or specialty?  

We are a technology recycling company with a purpose to support environmental sustainability goals, and social equity goals. Corporations, non profit organizations, school districts, and individuals depend on us to manage their excess and obsolete technology in an environmentally responsible way. Our secure and compliant data destruction practices ensure that their confidential information remains confidential. Through The Pippin Project we help to close the digital divide, as well as the job opportunity gap. We do this by providing young adults with up to date technology resources, and by employing people of the formerly incarcerated community. 

How do you describe your job to people outside the industry?

HaulDash is a technology recycling company that cares about reducing e-waste, and is committed to serving underrepresented communities through The Pippin Project. 

Who are your main competitors and what differentiates you from the competition? What makes you unique? 

The Pippin Project is what sets us apart. We are committed to removing social and economic barriers, one laptop and one job at a time. What we do is twofold. First of all, we refurbish a quota of the collected laptops and Chromebooks, and donate them to High School students. Via partnerships with local school counselors, students are identified who are leaving/graduating High School, and who would not have access to a device, unless someone gives them one for free. Secondly, we provide jobs to people, who were formerly incarcerated, at our Atlanta warehouse. We collaborate with organizations like Georgia Justice Project to search and hire our employees. Besides that we also partner with and sponsor local non-profits, like Green Cell ATL. As far as we know, we are unique that way.

How was the business started? 

Short version: two brothers needing to pivot during a global pandemic. My brother already had experience in the technology recycling field. My background however is in the strategic advisory and digital transformations arena, including with KPMG, Deloitte and Westcon-Comstor. My brother and I decided to go into business together and at the same time honor our late mother’s legacy, who was huge on giving back. My wife Yvonne David came on board, who helped give shape to the broad ‘give back’ component of our mission, and The Pippin Project was born.

How many employees does the business have?

In Chicago we have 15 people. In Atlanta we are with 3, and a few marketing consultants on contract. Plus in the middle of the process of hiring warehouse associates.

How did you end up in Atlanta? 

I have been in GA since 1998 after moving from Rotterdam with Yvonne, who is Dutch. We came here for my work, namely a project that was supposed to be for 9 months with Lucent Technologies at the time. And 23 years later we are still here! Atlanta is definitely home. 

What is your number one business goal over the next year?

Our number one goal is to establish partnerships with a few flagship corporations, and public school districts around Metro Atlanta. This will put HaulDash as a brand firmly on the map as well as establish The Pippin Project’s name. 

What is the best advice you have received regarding doing business with Americans/Dutch? 

Americans in the workplace aren’t that direct as you see in the movies, especially here in the South. So my business style which is a blend of Pakistani-style pleasantries and Dutch directness has paid off.

Any other personal information you would like to share, e.g. hobbies, special interests, family etc…

As a family of 4 (with 2 sons in college), we are Founding Members and season ticket holders of Atlanta United FC. We love(d) going to the matches in The Benz. Yvonne and I enjoy(ed) having lots of friends over to eat, drink, listen to music, and sit around the fire pit. Like everyone else, we can’t wait to do all that again. What I have been able to continue to do despite the pandemic is play golf. For me that is like cooking, very therapeutic – especially when I win 😉 

GET IN TOUCH