When 23‑year‑old Autumn Mough was laid off from a six‑figure marketing position in January, she saw an opportunity to serve both her community and her love of animals. With just $2,000 in seed money, she founded Trapperz, an animal‑removal business operating in Kentucky.
From layoff to launch
“I was let go from a $100,000 job in January, along with a lot of my team, and I started Trapperz with $2,000,” Mough said. “We are now a million‑dollar business, almost a year later, and it’s been great.”
Mough grew up in a low‑income household and began working at age 14. After leaving college to pursue a marketing career, she always kept the goal of owning her own business. The sudden loss of employment accelerated that dream into reality.
Learning on the job
Building a company from the ground up has required Mough to “build the ship as I’m steering it,” she explained. She cites taxes, bookkeeping and regulatory compliance as steep learning curves, but emphasizes that perseverance and a willingness to learn have been key.
Animal welfare at the core
With four cats, two dogs and several reptiles of her own, Mough could never imagine harming an animal. “When I saw the need for quick, humane removal, I knew I had to create something,” she said. Since its inception, Trapperz has handled thousands of animal rescues, ranging from trapped raccoons to a baby vulture found in an attic.
One memorable call involved an inspector climbing into an attic to safely retrieve the vulture and release it outside before the window was closed. Stories like that have helped the business grow faster than Mough anticipated.
Encouraging the next generation
Beyond profit, Mough hopes her experience will inspire other young people with ideas but limited resources. “You don’t need to go to college. You don’t need giant savings,” she urged. “I started this with $2,000 and you just don’t overthink it. If you have an idea, go for it.”
Her message aligns with the values of hard work, personal responsibility and faith‑driven service that many families cherish across Kentucky.
Local impact
Trapperz not only provides a needed service for residents dealing with wildlife intrusions, it also creates jobs and contributes to the local economy. As a young, home‑grown entrepreneur, Mough demonstrates how a modest investment, coupled with determination and a love for creation, can yield significant economic and community benefits.
For more information about Trapperz or to share your own entrepreneurial story, contact Autumn Mough at [email protected].
Original reporting: LEX18 Lexington (local) — read the source article.
