Running a moving company that generates $25 million annually and operates 138 trucks from one Chicago location is an extraordinary feat. But what makes this story even more impressive is that its founder, Brian Slater of New City Moving Chicago, has built more than a business—he’s built a company with purpose, culture, and community impact at its core.
In Part 1 of this series, we explored how Brian bootstrapped his company from a single truck and $5,000 in savings to become a Chicago powerhouse. In this Part 2, we uncover the deeper elements of his success—philanthropy, employee culture, leadership hires, and systems that keep New City Moving Chicago scaling without losing its heart.
This article is for moving company owners, franchisees, and industry professionals who want to learn how to grow a moving company that lasts for decades, not just year
One of the defining features of New City Moving Chicago is its commitment to community service.
Each year, the company organizes:
Brian explains the motivation simply:
“I think it comes from a place of me wanting those toys as a kid myself.”
On a personal level, Brian and his wife support Partners for Progress, a nonprofit that provides hippotherapy (horse therapy) for neuro divergent children. His daughter Charlotte, diagnosed with autism at two, found her voice and confidence through this program.
“Seeing her light up on a horse for the first time was life-changing. It’s the closest thing I’ve seen to God on Earth—people giving their time to help kids.”
For Brian, scaling isn’t just about revenue—it’s about building a culture where people want to stay.
At New City Moving Chicago, culture is defined by actions:
This creates deep loyalty.
“Culture isn’t rah-rah slogans. It’s knowing that if something happens to your family, I’ve got your back.”
Crews at New City set high standards. Those who don’t perform quickly phase out. This self-policing builds a workforce where pride and professionalism come naturally.
How do you manage 138 trucks without chaos? Brian’s answer: hire smart, invest in systems, and lead with balance.
Brian only created new roles when the cost of not having them outweighed the salary:
“We don’t hire just to feel good—we hire when a role pays for itself through savings or growth.”
New City Moving Chicago leverages Dialpad with PowerBI dashboards to monitor:
This data shows when to add new staff, recruit more movers, or shift scheduling.
Brian balances his high-energy vision with his CFO/Chief of Staff’s calm, people-focused leadership.
“They look at me for vision and him for comfort—it’s yin and yang leadership.”
A woman in Seattle once hired a low-cost mover who ended up breaking into her home after the job. For Brian, the lesson was clear: the cheapest option can sometimes be the riskiest.
A Chicago client left a one-star review over a fingerprint on a coffee table—out of 250 items moved.
Instead of dismissing it, Brian apologized, offered a cleaning reimbursement, and trained crews on attention to detail.
“Entitlement has grown, but empathy and professionalism always win.”
When movers break the same type of item repeatedly, Brian’s trainer retrains them immediately. The focus isn’t punishment—it’s preventing repeat claims and protecting both customer satisfaction and mover tips.
At Movified, we go beyond storytelling. We provide insider strategies from the best in the moving industry.
Guests like Brian Slater of New City Moving Chicago share proven systems, leadership lessons, and growth playbooks you can apply today.
Hosted by Mark Hirschi, Movified is the go-to podcast for movers who want to scale smart, lead well, and build lasting brands.
The story of New City Moving Chicago is proof that scaling isn’t just about revenue. It’s about building purpose, culture, and community connection.
Brian Slater shows that when you:
you create a company that thrives for decades.
“Don’t just grow a moving company. Build a cause worth following.” – Brian Slater
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.
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