Building a Legacy: The Power of Entrepreneurship and Community Impact

Jeremy Miller is a passionate business owner, entrepreneur, and public servant. He serves in the Minnesota State Senate and is also a devoted family man. He has had a deeply rooted entrepreneurial spirit throughout his upbringing—suffice to say, entrepreneurial spirit is in his DNA. Growing up observing his father’s active role in the family scrap metal business, which has supported the community of Winona, Minnesota for generations, he learned the value of entrepreneurship early on. “One of the things I learned from my dad is the importance of building relationships,” he reflects. “I also learned about patience from my dad and the importance of being persistent from my mom. No doesn’t always mean no; just find a different path to yes.”

Miller’s journey reflects the essence of entrepreneurship as a powerful catalyst for innovation and economic development. His entrepreneurial endeavors began with a childhood passion for baseball cards, which led him to open a shop called “Da Cards,” which he ran from the family home on weekends, following in the generations-long family footsteps in the world of business.

The Miller family business, Miller Scrap & Disposal, was founded when horse-drawn carriages were the primary means of transportation, as his descendants immigrated from Russia to Minnesota. The business began in the early 1900s as a tire business that also bought rags and scrap metal for recycling. The community of Winona, MN, knows the business today as a full-service recycling operation that has continually grown and adapted since the 1950s. Today, the third and fourth generations of the Miller family, including Senator Miller and a dedicated team, continue this legacy.

Initially, Miller didn’t plan to join the family business after college. “I couldn’t wait to leave town and do my own thing,” he admits. “After being away from home and not liking the college I chose for my first year, I couldn’t wait to return.” He started working in the accounting office of Miller Scrap, where he went on to modernize and streamline the business’s financial operation while attending his local technical school to earn a 2-year accounting degree. “I thought that (streamlining the accounting department) was a responsibility I could take on and lead that effort,” he explains.

His story exemplifies how entrepreneurship can shape a family legacy and impact a community’s economic landscape. Miller’s insights into business led him to realize the potential for growth. “What that did, it started, I was working in the warehouse. Once I started to learn the business a little bit more and realized we had more of a need in the office, especially with our accounting function, that’s when I moved into the office.”

With a keen understanding of the business landscape, he sought opportunities for development. “We had a very strong local presence, and I thought we could grow regionally and beyond. So I took a closer look at the different types of materials we were buying and the markets we were selling into.” By learning about export markets, he began to focus on niche opportunities ultimately launching an export initiative in 2010. “Within a few years, Miller Scrap was doing 20-30 container loads a month,” he recalls.

Miller’s journey has not been without its challenges.

“Very few things in life come easy. There aren’t too many trips down easy street. So if you want something, you have to go out and work for it. You have to earn it. If you don’t, someone else will.”

His commitment to hard work and resilience has been vital in navigating obstacles, a philosophy he refers to as “patient persistence.”

Amid his professional commitments, Senator Miller and his wife are also dedicated parents to three young boys who are actively involved in sports. Together, they manage various ventures including running a hometown pizzeria and owning residential and short-term rentals, as well as commercial industrial properties across six different states. “It sort of grew one at a time,” he notes, reflecting on their multifaceted approach to business.

Miller’s latest venture is into the world of podcasting as a means to help others find their potential and thrive. “Scrap Guy Solutions” is a dynamic podcast designed to inspire and empower listeners to take action and achieve their goals. Hosted by Miller himself, the show combines his personal experiences with insightful interviews to motivate others to realize their potential. With a focus on building confidence and fostering a proactive mindset, “Scrap Guy Solutions” encourages listeners to seize the day and embark on their journey toward success. His message is clear: “Now is the time to start, stay committed, and make things happen!”

Ultimately, Miller attributes his success to the relationships he has built and the respect he shows to others.

“My secret to success is to listen more and talk less,” he concludes.

As he continues to forge ahead in both business and community service, Jeremy Miller remains a shining example of how entrepreneurship can not only sustain a family legacy but also uplift an entire community.