Introduction
Scaling a moving company is no small feat. It takes vision, resilience, and bold choices in the face of uncertainty. On this episode of the Movified Podcast, host Mark Hirschi uncovers the powerhouse journey of Gloria Pugh, CEO of Amwatt Movers in Tallahassee, Florida.
From a pickup truck in her twenties to leading a moving industry juggernaut, Gloria’s story proves that success in this business is built on strategy, culture, and community. With her husband Dean by her side, she transformed Amwatt Movers into one of Florida’s most respected moving companies, even surviving the 2008 recession after a major acquisition.
For movers looking to grow, this is a playbook for scaling a moving company with purpose and grit.
Key Takeaways
What You’ll Learn:
- Acquisitions fuel growth but require patience and observation.
- Strong banking relationships are vital for weathering recessions.
- Community giving strengthens brand reputation and generates referrals.
- Defined leadership roles keep family-owned businesses on track.
Table of Contents
The Pickup Truck That Started It All
Like many movers, Gloria Pugh didn’t start with a fleet. They started with a pickup truck. Friends at Florida State University often needed help moving, and Dean became known for loading trucks so efficiently that he rarely needed a second trip.
Gloria saw potential. She told him, “You need to charge money for this.” That casual advice birthed Amwatt Movers—originally short for A Man With a Truck.
A Man With a Truck.
In the beginning, Gloria kept her full-time role as a white-collar crime investigator at the Attorney General’s office. Her salary often covered expenses when the business couldn’t. Eventually, though, she chose to leave her career and go all-in on Amwatt Movers.
Her approach was unique: she analyzed the company as if it were a case file. She examined its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats—long before SWOT became a buzzword in moving company seminars.
That mindset gave Amwatt its first edge and set the foundation for scaling.
Scaling a Moving Company Through Acquisition
By 2008, Amwatt Movers had grown modestly to three trucks. But Gloria wanted more. That summer, they made their boldest move yet: acquiring the largest moving and storage company in Tallahassee.
The deal instantly expanded their fleet from three trucks to thirteen. It also came with a $1 million debt and a roster of employees who were used to different systems.
It could have been overwhelming, but Gloria had a secret weapon: mentorship. She pushed her way into the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship at Florida State University and secured Nolia Brandt as her mentor.
Nolia’s advice was critical: “Don’t change everything right away.”
Gloria admits she wanted to overhaul the business on day one. But by slowing down, observing carefully, and making small, strategic adjustments, Amwatt stabilized. That patience prevented costly mistakes and made the acquisition a long-term success.
Surviving the 2008 Recession
No sooner had the ink dried on the acquisition than the 2008 recession hit. Calls slowed, contracts dried up, and the company’s expanded payroll loomed large.
Gloria leaned on one principle: radical transparency. Instead of dodging calls, she picked up the phone and said:
“I can’t pay you today, but here’s when I can. And when I do, you’ll get it.”
That honesty bought Amwatt precious goodwill with banks and vendors. More importantly, Gloria had built strong banking relationships before the downturn—lunches, check-ins, and genuine rapport. When things went south, the banks already trusted her.
It’s a reminder to all movers: don’t wait until you’re desperate to talk to your bank. Build the relationship when times are good.
Community Giving as a Growth Strategy
While many companies cut back during the recession, Amwatt doubled down on giving back.
After watching a Habitat for Humanity family receive house keys on live TV, Gloria thought, “They need a moving truck.” She called Habitat and offered to move every recipient family for free.
The gesture snowballed. Board members, community leaders, and executives noticed—and many started booking Amwatt Movers for their own relocations.
By giving sweat equity instead of cash, Amwatt created a cycle of trust, visibility, and new business.
Breaking Barriers in the Moving Industry
Gloria didn’t just build a company—she broke barriers in the moving industry.
She became the first woman president of the Professional Movers Association of Florida, where she spearheaded a successful campaign against rogue moving brokers.
Without attorneys or lobbyists, she persuaded state legislators to sponsor a bill tightening industry regulations. It passed—and cemented her as a trusted voice in Florida’s moving sector.
Today, Gloria also serves as the moving industry expert for U.S. News, advising consumers nationwide.
Balancing Marriage and Business
Running Amwatt Movers as a husband-and-wife team brought unique challenges. Gloria and Dean admit they had to learn the hard way.
Their rules now are simple:
- Define lanes clearly. Each stays in their area unless invited in.
- Keep home sacred. No business discussions inside the house.
- Handle disagreements in neutral spaces. Walks, dinners, or office meetings—not the living room.
This clarity saved their marriage and strengthened their leadership. And sometimes it led to quirky stories—like Gloria inviting Tibetan monks to bless their warehouses after storing a controversial exhibit. Dean simply smiled and said, “All right, let’s do it.”
Five Lessons for Scaling a Moving Company
Gloria’s story offers five proven lessons for movers:
- Seek mentorship. Don’t try to scale in isolation.
- Be patient post-acquisition. Observe before overhauling systems.
- Build banking relationships early. They’re your safety net.
- Invest in community giving. Sweat equity pays back in referrals.
- Set boundaries in leadership. Clear roles prevent conflict and burnout.
Scaling a moving company isn’t about overnight growth. It’s about resilience, trust, and strategic choices.
Why Movers Trust Movified
Movified isn’t theory—it’s the insider hub where movers learn from movers.
- Exclusive access: Interviews with leaders like Gloria Pugh.
- Practical tools: Sales scripts, financial tips, and growth playbooks.
- Proven credibility: Hosted by Mark Hirschi, owner of Salmon’s Moving & Storage, with decades of industry experience.
Movified is where movers turn for real-world insights and community support.
Conclusion
From a pickup truck in Tallahassee to a moving industry juggernaut, Amwatt Movers shows what’s possible with courage, mentorship, and generosity.
Mark Hirschi’s conversation with Gloria Pugh proves that scaling a moving company isn’t just about trucks and warehouses. It’s about strategy, resilience, and impact.
As Gloria puts it: “Failure was not an option.”
Meet The Host
Mark Hirschi is the founder and host of Movified. With over a decade in the moving and storage industry, Mark combines real-world leadership experience with a passion for mentorship and elevating industry standards.
