Real Movers. Real Grit. Real Results.
If you think running a moving company is just about lifting boxes—you’re missing the bigger picture.
On the premiere episode of the Movified Podcast, I, Mr. Mark Hirschi, welcomed four respected moving company owners to the mic to tell their origin stories, marketing strategies, and most unforgettable moving moments.
From Craigslist to cold calls, frozen goldfish to glass sex toys, these guests didn’t just build moving companies—they built cultures, legacies, and scalable operations across North America.
If you’re an aspiring moving company owner, logistics manager, or franchise hopeful, this is the blueprint—and the reality check—you’ve been waiting for.
Key Takeaways:
What You’ll Learn:
- How four moving company founders turned side hustles into full-scale operations
- The role of branding, uniforms, and discipline in company culture
- Why Craigslist and word-of-mouth still outperform many paid ads
- What weird items (and weird clients) can teach you about professionalism
Table of Contents
- How These Movers Got Their Start
- Wild Stories from the Field: Funny and Unexpected Finds
- Naming and Branding Your Moving Company the Right Way
- Grassroots Marketing That Still Works Today
- Uniform Standards: Culture Starts with What You Wear
- Startup Struggles: What Nearly Broke These Businesses
- Mover Mistakes That Cost Thousands (But Taught Everything)
- The Weirdest Things Ever Moved
- How to Pitch Your Moving Company
- Why Movified Is the Movers’ Podcast
- Final Lessons
How These Movers Got Their Start
Every guest started small:
- Matt Young (iHaul iMove) used a 14-foot truck from his dad with no ramp and a local classified ad.
- Austin Yarborough (Central Coast Moving) built his brand with a $4,500 Craigslist truck while working college jobs in Chico, California.
- Neacail Murdock (Murdock’s Moving) launched after getting laid off—hauling junk in a borrowed trailer before building his multi-million dollar company.
- Josh Shipman (Coastal Carrier) transitioned from the pizza industry into logistics, bringing in corporate systems and scaling operations.
💡 Lesson for Movers:
You don’t need capital or perfection—just commitment and hustle. Your first truck could be from Craigslist, but your vision has to be crystal clear.
Wild Stories from the Field: Funny and Unexpected Finds
Let’s just say movers see it all:
- A vibrating box full of adult toys (college move)
- Industrial-grade handcuffs attached to bedposts
- A goldfish that froze overnight in a hotel parking lot
- A stripper poster under a mattress—featuring the customer’s sister
💡 Lesson for Movers:
Always expect the unexpected. Train your team to remain professional, composed, and neutral in any situation.
Naming and Branding Your Moving Company the Right Way
- Matt’s “iHaul iMove” was inspired by Apple but gets confused with U-Haul.
- Austin’s “Central Coast Moving” drew inspiration from a surf shop—regional, memorable, and clean.
- Nick dropped “Affordable” from his brand name once they scaled premium services.
- Josh’s “Coastal Carrier” was inherited but reflects a legacy and maritime aesthetic.
Grassroots Marketing That Still Works Today
Before paid social ads, these movers leaned on:
- Craigslist ads (multiple times daily)
- Tear-off flyers at laundromats and gas stations
- Realtor cold calls and storage unit visits
- DIY business cards and red school folders
Even today, Craigslist and Indeed still drive applicants and jobs.
💡 Lesson for Movers:
Don’t wait for SEO to kick in—hustle locally. Old-school tactics are still gold, especially in saturated markets.
Uniform Standards: Culture Starts with What You Wear
Shirts went missing. Jackets were “lost.” Crews showed up in basketball jerseys or cut-off tanks. So these movers responded:
- Bulk-ordered dry-fit shirts
- Required initials on uniforms
- Implemented push-ups for non-compliance
- Switched to long/short sleeve options
💡 Lesson for Movers:
Uniforms are branding. If your crew doesn’t respect them, clients won’t either. Consistency builds credibility.
Startup Struggles: What Nearly Broke These Businesses
- Matt was reported to the state for operating without a license—by his own roommate. That led to legal threats and forced him to get certified.
- Austin ignored advice to quit and cut costs to survive slow winters.
- Nick stayed afloat through California wildfires and pandemic lockdowns.
- Josh saw off-season crashes and turned them into system upgrades.
💡 Lesson for Movers:
Your worst moment might become your best growth. Push through early chaos with lean strategies, compliance, and courage.
Mover Mistakes That Cost Thousands (But Taught Everything)
- Ramps flew off highways
- Pallet jacks crashed inside box trucks
- A forklift was almost lost mid-haul
- Staff “forgot” to strap down inventory
Instead of just getting mad, they built systems—checklists, policies, training.
💡 Lesson for Movers:
Safety isn’t just a policy. It’s a system. Make it idiot-proof, fast to verify, and consequence-driven.
The Weirdest Things Ever Moved
This crew has moved:
- A life-size bronze horse
- A 7.5-foot Canadian moose head
- Antique German shranks (30-part furniture sets)
- Chickens. In 110°F heat. All survived.
💡 Lesson for Movers:
Ask questions during quotes. “Is there anything fragile, oversized, or alive?” Save your team the surprise.
How to Pitch Your Moving Company
Each guest delivered their version of a 30–45 second elevator pitch to a hypothetical room of Realtors:
- Nick: “White glove. Five-star communication. Raving fans.”
- Josh: “Same staff. Same process. Hands-on reliability.”
- Austin: “Peace of mind. Local to long-distance. Storage too.”
- Matt: “Built on belief. More than moves—it’s about people.”
💡 Lesson for Movers:
Know your unique value. Memorize your pitch. Make it confident, not cliché.
Why Movified Is the Movers' Podcast
Movified was built for movers—by movers.
Hosted by Mr. Mark Hirschi (owner of Salmon’s Moving & Storage in Vancouver, BC), this podcast tells the real, raw stories of industry veterans and upstarts alike. With humor, transparency, and tactical advice, it’s your inside line to the stories that don’t get shared on sales calls.
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Final Lessons
Starting and growing a moving company isn’t glamorous—but it is possible, profitable, and powerful.
Whether you’re navigating licensing, losing ramps on highways, or explaining a box full of vibrating toys to your crew—every misstep can lead to growth when approached with humility and vision.
“Make good friends, stay supported, and build something that matters.”
— Matt Young, iHaul iMove
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.
