Employee Spotlight: Samuel Hogue III Builds a Legacy of Service Through Firefighting and Entrepreneurship

Long before Toledo Fire & Rescue firefighter Samuel Hogue III joined the department, he was building things. From remodeling homes to launching his own business, Hogue has always looked for ways to solve problems, serve others and create opportunities for his family.

Today, Hogue brings that same determination to two roles: serving Toledo residents as a firefighter at Station 19 and growing Samuel & Son, a small business he built from a simple idea into a growing dumpster rental company.

In honor of Black Small Business Month, the City of Toledo is recognizing employees who are also entrepreneurs and highlighting the dedication and perseverance they bring to their work and their businesses.

A Toledo native, Hogue graduated from Central Catholic High School in 2007 and joined Toledo Fire & Rescue in 2019 as a member of Recruit Class 293. After completing his rookie year, he was awarded a position at Station 19 on the North End, serving the Old Polish Village community. Station 19 houses Engine 19 and Medic 19, where Hogue continues to serve as a firefighter.

“Serving Toledo as a firefighter gives me a way to give back to the community,” Hogue said. “It allows me to help those in need when they need it the most, when it really counts.”

Before joining Toledo Fire & Rescue, Hogue owned a remodeling company specializing in kitchen and bathroom renovations, as well as fence and deck installations. Through that work, he discovered an opportunity.

"One month I realized I had spent more than $1,000 on dumpster rentals," Hogue said. "I thought there had to be a better way."

Hogue purchased a dump trailer, initially planning to use it for his own projects and rent it out when it was not needed. After sharing the rental opportunity on Facebook, he quickly realized there was a strong demand.

"It didn't take very long for me to realize there was a huge demand, and I never had the trailer for my own use when I needed it," Hogue said. "That's when the light bulb went off."

That idea grew into Samuel & Son Dumpster Rentals, a small business that provides dumpster rental services for homeowners, renters and contractors looking to remove unwanted clutter and job site materials.

Samuel & Son currently offers 15-yard and 20-yard containers, with plans to expand and add larger dumpsters, including 30-yard and 40-yard options. The company helps customers with projects such as garage cleanouts, basement cleanouts, home renovations and do-it-yourself projects.

Hogue continued investing in the business by purchasing additional equipment, dumpsters and eventually a hook-lift truck.

For Hogue, building Samuel & Son has also been about creating something meaningful for his son, Kason Hogue, who is 8 years old. When developing the company name and logo, he wanted his son to be part of the journey.

"I wanted to create something that incorporated my son," Hogue said. "I wanted him to work with me so I could teach him about responsibility and instill a strong work ethic, with the hope that one day I could hand over the reins and have him run the company."

One of Hogue’s favorite memories is seeing his son experience the reward of his hard work.

"The most memorable moment I had with him was his first payday," Hogue said. "Seeing his face light up after receiving the fruits of his labor."

Balancing the responsibilities of being a firefighter and a business owner requires dedication, but Hogue says his schedule helps him manage both commitments.

"Balancing work and running my business can be difficult at times, but it always seems to work out in the end," Hogue said. "With our 24-hour work shifts, it allows me to dedicate two whole days to complete any work that may have fallen on a shift day."

For Hogue, the most rewarding part of entrepreneurship has been watching an idea grow into something larger than he imagined.

"Seeing yourself grow and watching a business that started as an idea grow and become something bigger than you could have even imagined is rewarding," Hogue said.

Being recognized during Black Small Business Month is meaningful to Hogue because he hopes his story inspires others.

"Being recognized during Black Small Business Month means a lot," Hogue said. "It shows our younger Black community that it is possible for them to make something out of nothing and do better for themselves. It's OK to be your own boss."

His advice for anyone considering starting a business is simple: be prepared to work hard.

"It's tough," Hogue said. "It's not always as easy as it seems. There are ups and downs that come with a bunch of struggles, but ultimately, in the end, it's worth it."

Through his work with Toledo Fire & Rescue and Samuel & Son, Hogue continues to serve his community in two ways: protecting Toledo residents during emergencies and providing a reliable service that helps residents and contractors complete their projects.

For Hogue, both roles come back to the same purpose: helping others. His journey as a firefighter and Black small business owner shows how dedication, perseverance and a commitment to community can create opportunities for himself, his family and the people he serves.

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