Introduction
What do you get when a tax specialist buys a few U-Haul trucks with zero moving experience?
You get Steven Mandac, aka Mr. Clutch, the founder of Clutch Moving Company, and the creator of one of San Francisco’s fastest-growing moving brands. In this episode of the Movified Podcast, host Mark Hirschi sits down with Steven to uncover how he turned Craigslist gigs and parking tickets into a $3M+ empire—without any industry experience.
From ditching a business partner to discovering YouTube mentors, Steven’s journey is raw, unfiltered, and packed with lessons every mover, franchisee, or entrepreneur should hear.
Key Takeaways
What You’ll Learn:
- How Steven Mandac scaled Clutch Moving past $3M+ without prior moving experience
- Why cutting ties with a business partner unlocked growth
- How high-end interior designer projects became six-figure revenue streams
- The importance of self-education, grit, and reinvention
- How he’s building a “brand within a brand” as Mr. Clutch
Table of Contents
The Origin of Clutch Moving Company
In 2017, Steven Mandac didn’t set out to build a moving empire. He was just a guy with a business mindset, a hunger to escape the corporate grind, and a friend who convinced him to invest in a small moving business.
“We didn’t even know where to park the trucks—we got tickets almost every day.”
Armed with three U-Hauls and no insurance, they started advertising on Craigslist. Their first job netted them $30. From there, they tried junk removal, logistics, and basic moving before realizing residential moves were their best path forward.
Breaking Up to Build Up
Success didn’t come easy. The turning point in Steven’s journey came when he realized his original business partner was more liability than asset.
“We were just bumping heads. I finally said, ‘This is my investment. I’m taking over.’”
Taking full control wasn’t just a business decision—it was a mindset shift. He committed to learning everything about the moving industry from the ground up. That’s when he discovered Louis Massaro on YouTube and began applying everything from dispatcher training to sales systems.
“I saw his video and said—‘Oh, I’m the dispatcher. I’m all the roles.’ That flipped a switch for me.”
Key Lessons from the Breakup:
- Ownership brings clarity
- Learn from free tools (YouTube, podcasts)
- Invest in systems, not shortcuts
Niche Gold: The Designer Market
By 2022, Steven discovered a highly profitable—and often overlooked—niche: interior designers.
Unlike regular homeowners, designers:
- Aren’t price-sensitive
- Expect perfection
- Often hire movers for multiple stages (delivery, install, removal)
- Represent clients with high-end expectations and larger budgets
“Their clients are paying for it, and they expect white-glove service. That’s where we shine.”
How Clutch Landed Designer Projects:
- Cold emails and outreach to local designers
- Networking through BNI and home shows
- Offering warehousing, storage, and staging
- Providing custom schedules for multi-phase jobs
These jobs don’t just bring one invoice—they often involve 3–4 scheduled visits and can total $50K–$100K per project.
Lessons from the Field
Steven’s growth didn’t come without bumps.
He recalls an early mistake that almost cost him big: estimating a massive designer job without seeing the site.
“The job spiraled out of control. I had to show up personally at 11 p.m. with extra guys. We didn’t sleep.”
That job would become one of many that taught him:
- Always qualify leads thoroughly
- Your name is on every job—show up
- Invest in training your estimators and operations team
He also emphasizes the power of brand positioning. Instead of competing on price, Clutch Moving sells trust, reliability, and premium service.
“If they’re asking about price first, they’re not our client.”
🎯 Pro Tip: Choose your clients just like they choose you. That mindset sets the tone for growth.
Why Choose Movified
Movified isn’t just a podcast—it’s the voice of the moving industry.
Led by Mr. Mark Hirschi, an operator who’s seen it all, Movified digs into what really matters:
- Real stories from real movers
- Franchising lessons
- Hiring and operations tips
- AI, tech, and modern marketing tools
Whether you’re growing your first truck or running multiple locations, Movified offers strategies you can implement today.
Conclusion
Steven Mandac’s story isn’t about luck—it’s about leadership, grit, and the belief that you don’t need experience to build an empire.
By:
- Taking full ownership
- Learning from free resources
- Specializing in high-ticket niches
- Delivering unmatched service
…he’s built a brand that San Francisco movers—and designers—trust.
“You don’t need a fancy background. You need hustle, heart, and a vision.”
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.
