A Q&A with Ashley Lionetti of Garbo Grabber

Ashley Lionetti was destined to lead her family business, Garbo Grabber. Growing up in a household where ideas flowed freely, she was inspired by her father’s inventive spirit. His moment of creativity came when he saw a DOT worker struggling to keep a trash bag open in the wind, sparking the creation of Garbo Grabber’s innovative litter tools. Today, Ashley carries that legacy forward, driving the company to new heights in the litter management industry. Balancing the demands of raising two young boys with her busy work schedule isn’t easy, but her unwavering passion for making a difference through her company’s mission is what fuels her determination and keeps her going every day.

“To run a business successfully, you need to really have passion.  There will be many ups and downs. You will meet every roadblock you can ever imagine, and life will undoubtedly get in the way at times, but your passion is what will drive you to success.” – Ashley Lionetti

Takeaway:

• As a part of her company’s dedication to environmental stewardship, Garbo Grabber has installed the first litter Kiosk in their community in Walnut Beach CT. They plan to install more nationwide as their mission continues!

Can you start by introducing yourself and telling us in your words, about your inspiring story?

My name is Ashley Lionetti, and I’m the owner of Garbo Grabber, a company that manufactures innovative litter collection tools. Our story began in 1993 when my father was driving along a local highway in Connecticut and noticed a highway worker struggling to keep trash in a bag. Motivated by this challenge, he went home, researched as best he could in a world without the internet, consulted with a patent attorney, and began designing his first prototype and engineering drawings. Timing was key to bringing this product to market.

The turning point came in 2010 when the first episode of Undercover Boss aired, featuring Larry O’Donnell, the CEO of a waste management company. During the show, he went undercover at a landfill and was assigned the task of picking up litter, he struggled to keep the trash in the bag—a moment that ultimately led to his firing. The very next day, Garbo Grabber was born. We launched our first product, The Trash Bagger, and gradually evolved into a company known for producing the best litter collection tools on the market.

Although we faced challenges, including copycats after our first trade show in 2011, we never gave up. We encountered failures, manufacturing issues, setbacks, and financial struggles, but we persevered, learning and growing with each obstacle.

One pivotal moment for us came when we received an email from an organization walking from Maryland to California, picking up trash every mile along the way. They shared how they prayed for a better way to collect garbage and found inspiration in our tools. This message moved us so much that we flew to Manhattan, Kansas, to join them on their journey for two days. We tested our tools, learned how to improve them, and formed a strong bond with the team. If not for this, I don’t believe Garbo Grabber would exist as it does today. That experience was a turning point for Garbo Grabber and solidified our mission.

Since then, we’ve faced countless challenges, but what matters most is that we’ve overcome them. Today, we proudly work with and support a network of around 1,000 partners across the USA, and we genuinely love every minute of what we do.

How did you market your business when it was brand new?

Trade shows became a big part of our journey. We attended many, learning what worked and what didn’t. It took us a few years to truly understand what was needed to turn Garbo Grabber into a successful company, but each experience brought us closer to perfecting our products and refining our vision.

What is a typical day like for you?

I wake up, get the kids ready for school, and enjoy a quick breakfast before rushing to the office. Then it’s time to dive into new orders, brainstorm fresh marketing strategies, and connect with our customers. We’re always crafting new plans and looking for ways to keep growing this brand.

What are the three most important habits to be a successful entrepreneur?

I believe it all comes down to having a strong passion, a solid work ethic, and a determined mindset. Those are the keys that really help you push through challenges and reach your goals.

If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out, what would it be?

You need to really have passion.  There will be many ups and downs. You will meet every roadblock you can ever imagine, and life will undoubtedly get in the way at times, but your passion is what will drive you to success. It will help you find new perspectives at what you’re working on and help you uncover new ways on how to achieve your goals.

​​It absolutely does.  A huge part of our mission is to help communities all over the world.  We host cleanup events and have our tools available to all who come out to lend a hand.  By taking pride in what we do, we help others take pride in their communities.

Every entrepreneur has a goal and problem they’re trying to solve. What was the inspiration that started your journey?

Our father was the one who started it all, and we took his vision even further. One day, while traveling on a local highway in Connecticut, he saw a highway worker struggling to collect garbage and put it into a bag. It was clear that this task wasn’t easy or sanitary. Determined to help this man and every person thereafter, he set out to create a solution—and that’s how The Trash Bagger was born!

What would you consider your biggest accomplishment and why?

Our biggest accomplishment has been gaining market share and receiving positive feedback about the quality of our tools and how they help people every day. Partnering with Keep America Beautiful, the world’s leading nonprofit dedicated to beautifying communities, has been an incredible opportunity. We currently supply their cleanup kits, and have been so proud to contribute to their mission while showcasing the value of our tools.

We all face challenges. Looking back, what have been some of the biggest challenges and obstacles you’ve had to navigate?

We’ve encountered budget challenges and a resistance to change from some individuals, despite the fact that our offerings are the best in the market. Change can be difficult for many. Additionally, funding was a concern, as it sometimes is for many businesses. As a fast-growing company, we often juggled cash flow for inventory while extending credit to customers for large orders, which sometimes put us in a tight spot.

How do you set your business apart from others in your industry?

We have a very unique model. After identifying what works and what doesn’t, we’ve implemented a bottom-up, top-down approach to our business. This allows us to go beyond typical marketing and advertising strategies, enabling us to connect with our audience in more meaningful ways.

Do you have a favorite quote or motto that inspires you?

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” —Oscar Wilde

Conclusion:

Ashley Lionetti runs Garbo Grabber with a mission in mind…to help make this planet a cleaner environment. Through the trials and tribulations of running a business, over the years, she and her company have managed to cultivate relationships with hundreds of nonprofits across the nation and also the Miss Earth Organization, in order to provide the necessary tools to help volunteers and those who want to help make this earth a cleaner place. 

You can find me and my company at www.Garbograbber.com

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