Introduction
At some point, every moving company owner realizes that no one is coming to save them. The sleepless nights and the weight of constant operational hurdles are burdens owners must learn to carry. But what happens when you build a business that is driven by something much deeper than just profitability?
In this episode of Movified Mondays, host Mark Hirschi sits down with Patrick Dews, founder of Spirit Moves, live from the Titan Mastermind retreat in Phoenix, Arizona. They discuss Patrick’s journey from a self-proclaimed “street pharmacist” to launching a faith-based moving company, the reality of unlearning toxic industry habits, and why attending a true Mastermind event is the ultimate catalyst for scaling a business.
Key Takeaways
What You'll Learn:
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Why building a company culture based on second chances creates a deeply loyal workforce.
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The critical difference between just attending a conference and actively participating in a Mastermind group.
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How to solve the persistent problem of “lead attribution” to ensure your marketing dollars are actually working.
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Why Patrick believes the most important system he implemented was tying his payroll directly to billable hours.
Table of Contents
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From the Streets to Spirit Moves
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Unlearning the Old Way of Moving
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The Power of the Mastermind
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Solving Lead Attribution and Payroll
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Why Movified Preserves These Industry Stories
- Conclusion
From the Streets to Spirit Moves
Patrick Dews grew up in the moving industry, but his path to ownership was far from traditional.
After his father’s moving company closed in the early 2000s, Patrick fell into addiction and worked as a “street pharmacist.” In 2019, he entered a men’s treatment center that operated a moving company as its primary business. Given his background, Patrick was put in charge of the operation, where he not only rediscovered his talent for logistics but also found a profound personal faith.
Torn between full-time ministry and the moving industry, Patrick realized he could do both. He launched Spirit Moves, a highly profitable, faith-based business designed to offer second chances to men in recovery. Patrick is unapologetic about his faith—his crews wear crosses on their shirts and offer to pray with customers at the end of every job—but he emphasizes that they are never pushy, ensuring they respect all clients regardless of their beliefs.
Unlearning the Old Way of Moving
Growing up in a moving company taught Patrick how to move furniture, but it primarily taught him what not to do.
Patrick admits that the culture of his father’s business in the late 90s was heavily tied to addiction, where it was common to start the day smoking weed with the crew. Because Google reviews did not exist, accountability was incredibly low.
When launching Spirit Moves, Patrick made culture his absolute priority, recognizing that the culture of a company acts as its thermostat—it will either fix problems or compound them. He implemented a zero-tolerance policy for the toxic habits he witnessed growing up, proving that moving can be an honest, professional grind.
The Power of the Mastermind
Mark and Patrick recorded this episode live from the Titan Mastermind retreat, highlighting the massive difference between attending a standard conference and participating in a Mastermind.
At a typical conference, owners listen to product pitches and return home with a notebook full of ideas they never implement. A Mastermind is different; it forces owners to sit at round tables, admit their operational failures, and walk away with a strict 7-day, 30-day, and 90-day execution plan. Patrick notes that the true value of a Mastermind is the intimate networking—building personal relationships with other operators who have no vested interest in his business other than genuinely wanting to see him win.
Solving Lead Attribution and Payroll
Through the Mastermind discussions, Patrick realized he was facing a severe “lead attribution” problem. Despite having CRM tracking in place, his marketing data looked like “hieroglyphics,” leaving him unsure of exactly which marketing efforts were actually generating booked moves. His immediate 7-day action item was to sit down with his marketing agency, demand clear reporting, or fire them.
However, Patrick also shared a major operational win with the group: restructuring his payroll. By tying his movers’ pay directly to billable hours and trip fees—rather than paying them to punch a clock—he eliminated the need to constantly police his crews. Dispatch runs smoother, and the crews are financially motivated to work efficiently rather than milking the clock by stopping at the store.
Why Movified Preserves These Industry Stories
Movified exists to document the knowledge that textbooks miss.
Hosted by Mark Hirschi, the show dives into the tools, technologies, and realities of running a modern moving business. Movified’s value lies in:
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Honest conversations about industry struggles, addiction, and unlearning toxic management habits.
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Actionable strategies from real operators, like tying payroll to billable hours.
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Lessons earned through real-world trial and error, ensuring the next generation of movers does not have to learn everything the hard way.
Conclusion
Great businesses are not just built on dispatch strategies; they are built on purpose. Whether it is offering a second chance to men in recovery, demanding accountability from your marketing agency, or investing in the intimate peer mentorship of a Mastermind group, moving company owners must actively build the culture they want to see. As Patrick’s story proves, when you surround yourself with the right people and lead with unwavering authenticity, your business will thrive.
