Michael Forsythe has never been one to shy away from hard work, and that mindset has helped him build Area 661 Hauling into one of Bakersfield’s most trusted names in junk removal and dumpster rental.

“I want to introduce our company, Area 661 Hauling, which provides professional junk removal and dumpster rental services here in Bakersfield,” Michael said. “We specialize in managing extreme clutter and hoarding situations, and we take great pride in the work we’ve done to help many local families navigate these dire circumstances.”

That pride has not gone unnoticed. The company has been featured on Maxx-D’s website under “Blue Collar Haulers,” profiled in Greet Seven Oaks magazine, and named “Bakersfield’s Best” for Junk Removal in 2025. They are also in the running for the 2026 award. Beyond accolades, Michael believes in giving back. “We’ve also adopted a street in town for the city,” he said. “It’s our way of giving back to the community. We volunteer to keep it clean.”

Michael’s path to entrepreneurship began with simple determination. “Straight out of high school, I went to work,” he said. He started in maintenance with the Edison School District, spent more than 11 years in the oil industry as a lease operator, and worked in trucking dispatch. The idea for his business came unexpectedly. “Being at the dump one day, I thought I could do this better than anyone here,” he said. “Thinking outside the box is what has pushed us this far, this fast.”

That mindset shapes how Area 661 Hauling operates. “We are not a copy and paste trailer guy,” Michael said. “We pride ourselves in recycling everything we possibly can. If it’s not trash, it doesn’t end up in the dump.” He added, “We have saved thousands in dump fees and turned them into extra money by recycling. No other company sorts as efficient and effective as we do. We are honest, compassionate, and truly care for this community.”

The company offers more than standard junk removal. “We can clean out entire homes with ease with straightforward pricing,” he said. “We also have dumpsters for the do-it-yourselfers for a lower cost.” Michael has built strong relationships with local real estate professionals. “We have worked for many real estate agents in Bakersfield, hopefully we continue to grow that business friendship.”

Some of the most meaningful moments come from clients themselves. “The fact people have cried many times as we cleared their years of clutter, they never thought they would get that space back,” he said.

Growth has come through connection. “Our social media, public appearances with networking opportunities, meeting new people all the time always continues our business to thrive further,” Michael said.

At home, family comes first. “My wife Amanda and I have four children: Blake, 19; Logan, 18; Grayson, 8; and Presley, 6,” he said. “Three boys, then our little girl. We just enjoy family time, even if it’s working together.” In quieter moments, he finds peace in his garden. “I enjoy tending to my 30-plus fruit trees,” he said. “Gardening keeps my inner peace.”

To Michael, success is personal. “Having a big loving family is a huge success,” he said. His motivation is simple. “For doing the best I can and genuinely helping others and the community be in a better place than the day before.”

He sums up his mission clearly: “We are not just a guy with a truck and a trailer. We are the most eco-friendly company in town. Our team can tackle anything from a single pickup to extreme hoarding. All of our equipment is kept in top notch. You won’t ever be embarrassed to send us to any location.”

For more information, please visit area661hauling.com or call (661) 747-4539