Introduction
What does it take to grow a moving company from a single truck into one of the most recognizable brands in a booming city? For Chris Knowles of True Friends Moving in Nashville, the answer is clear: vision, discipline, and relentless branding.
In this episode of the Movified Podcast, host Mark Hirschi sat down with Chris Knowles to unpack how he left a Fortune 500 sales career to build one of Tennessee’s fastest-growing moving companies. From operating out of his home office with a single 17-foot truck to acquiring competitors and investing in real estate, Chris shares strategies that every moving company owner can learn from.
If you’re a moving company owner, franchisee, or industry professional looking for a roadmap to scale your operations, this conversation delivers pure gold.
Key Takeaways
What You’ll Learn:
- Invest early in systems and people. Don’t wait too long to hire admin support or adopt a CRM.
- Branding wins markets. Consistency in colors, logos, vehicles, and personal style keeps your company top of mind.
- Real estate is wealth. Moving pays the bills, but storage facilities and property investments create long-term growth.
- Networking drives revenue. From car clubs to charity events, business is built in the relationships you form outside the office.
Table of Contents
- From Fortune 500 Sales to Moving Startup
- Why Branding in Blue Became Nashville’s Identity
- Scaling Challenges: CRM, Hiring, and Expansion
- Smart Real Estate Plays for Moving Owners
- Lifestyle, Networking, and Supercar Marketing
- Lessons Learned: What Chris Would Tell His Younger Self
- Acquisition Strategy: Growing Through Competitors
- Work-Life Balance and Fitness as a Business Edge
- Why Choose Movified
- Conclusion
From Fortune 500 Sales to Moving Startup
Before founding True Friends Moving, Chris Knowles was climbing the corporate ladder at Dell in Nashville. He was a top-performing sales rep, consistently blowing past quotas—until the dreaded cap on commissions.
“You can’t put a ceiling on a hungry sales rep,” Chris shared with host Mark Hirschi.
Frustrated by limits, he recalled summers as a teenager doing moving jobs and decided to take the leap. With savings to buy a small truck, Chris launched True Friends Moving in 2012. The first year was bare bones—one truck, handwritten notes instead of contracts, and cash envelopes for the crews.
But the vision was there: build a brand people could trust and scale from the ground up.
Why Branding in Blue Became Nashville’s Identity
If you know Chris Knowles, you know his world is blue. Trucks, cars, marketing, even his personal wardrobe—it all ties back to the brand.
This wasn’t an accident. Chris understood early that branding consistency builds trust. Just like College Hunks is instantly recognized by its orange and green, True Friends Moving stands out with its signature blue trucks and dog logo.
“Always be branding” became the rule. Whether showing up at a car event, a charity fundraiser, or a local business mixer, Chris made sure True Friends was represented. That relentless branding turned his company into a household name across Middle Tennessee.
Scaling Challenges: CRM, Hiring, and Expansion
Like many founders, Chris wore every hat in the early years: booking jobs, answering calls, running crews, and managing payroll.
The turning point came when he lost his handwritten “business bible”—a planner with every job detail. For weeks, the company relied on customers calling to confirm.
“By the grace of God, we pulled it off. That was when I knew it was time for a CRM,” Chris recalled.
He implemented digital systems and learned an important lesson: hire sooner. Bringing on his first office employee (after a trusted crew leader’s injury) allowed him to step back and scale.
Today, True Friends runs with a full sales team, dispatch, HR, and customer service—proof that the right people make growth possible.
Smart Real Estate Plays for Moving Owners
One of Chris’s most powerful moves was investing in real estate—storage facilities, warehouses, and commercial properties.
“Moving made me a millionaire. Real estate made me wealthy,” Chris told Mark.
By purchasing a mismanaged storage facility near a military base, stabilizing operations, and leasing back part of the property to the original owner, he created multiple income streams: moving revenue, storage rent, and commercial lease income.
His advice for movers? Buy, don’t rent. Commercial leases can double or triple, wiping out profits. Even small properties build equity, add tax benefits, and create long-term stability.
Lifestyle, Networking, and Supercar Marketing
When Chris shows up in his McLaren, people notice. But it’s not just for fun—it’s a business tool.
High-end cars grant entry into exclusive circles of entrepreneurs, developers, and realtors. At charity poker runs and car events, Chris doesn’t just enjoy the ride—he’s networking with future clients and referral partners.
“People come up and ask, ‘What do you do?’ By the end, they know me, my story, and True Friends Moving. If they ever need moving, I’m the first call,” he explained.
It’s a reminder that networking happens where your ideal customers spend time—sometimes that’s a boardroom, other times it’s a car show.
Lessons Learned: What Chris Would Tell His Younger Self
Looking back, Chris offered three pieces of advice:
- Adopt a CRM early. Don’t risk losing vital business data.
- Hire admin support sooner. One person can unlock years of growth.
- Get into real estate earlier. Moving funds your lifestyle, real estate builds your legacy.
He also emphasized knowing your numbers. Banks won’t finance expansion without clean, professional financials.
Acquisition Strategy: Growing Through Competitors
In 2024, Chris expanded True Friends by acquiring a competitor on the south side of Nashville.
The location was strategic—it filled a gap where True Friends’ Google Business profile visibility tapered off. With the acquisition, they now dominate both the north and south markets.
Best of all, the competitor’s branding was already blue, black, and white—making the integration seamless.
Work-Life Balance and Fitness as a Business Edge
Despite running multiple companies and real estate ventures, Chris prioritizes balance. Mornings are for family, school drop-offs, and workouts. Evenings are for dinner with his wife and kids. Weekends often mix family time with car events.
Fitness plays a huge role. Following the 75 Hard challenge and structured meal prep, Chris believes health fuels business performance.
“You can’t ride on a flat tire. Every area—family, health, business—has to be strong,” he said.
Why Choose Movified
At Movified, we bring you unfiltered conversations with leaders like Chris Knowles, who built True Friends Moving into a Nashville powerhouse. With decades of combined industry experience, we know the questions movers want answered—because we’re movers ourselves.
By subscribing, you get insider access to strategies that go beyond theory—straight from the job sites, boardrooms, and real estate deals shaping the future of the moving industry.
Conclusion
Chris Knowles proves that with vision, branding, and persistence, a moving company can become more than a service—it can be a brand, an empire, and a legacy.
From one truck in 2012 to dominating Nashville through acquisitions and real estate, his story is proof that growth is possible for any owner willing to hustle smart.
“Moving made me a millionaire. Real estate made me wealthy.” – Chris Knowles
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.
