Introduction
Running a moving company is no small feat. From managing drivers, scheduling dispatches, dealing with claims, to ensuring customer satisfaction, the demands never stop. For many owners, stepping away from the business feels impossible. Yet without intentional time off, leaders risk burnout, unhappy families, and poor decision-making.
In this episode of the Movified Podcast, host Mark Hirschi (Salmon’s Moving & Storage, Vancouver, BC) sits down with Steven Reed (ReadyRolls.com; Big League Movers) to tackle a universal challenge: balancing time as a moving company owner. They cover everything from taking guilt-free vacations, building systems that keep the business running, and maximizing ROI from conferences and trade shows.
This blog post turns their insights into a practical guide for movers, franchisees, and industry professionals who want to scale their businesses without sacrificing family or sanity.
Key Takeaways
What You’ll Learn:
- Unplug without guilt: Learn why taking real vacations makes you a stronger leader.
- Build one-point accountability: Daily check-ins with a single person keep you informed without constant interruption.
- Make trade shows profitable: Booth tactics, vendor partnerships, and ROI strategies that pay off.
- Trust and delegation: Why empowering your team is the foundation of long-term growth.
Table of Contents
How to Balance Time as a Moving Company Owner
Every owner has been there: sitting on a beach or at a family dinner while secretly worrying about dispatch schedules, claims, or cash flow. The body is present, but the mind is back at the warehouse. The result? Nobody wins.
Steven Reed described trips where he returned feeling defeated:
- He worked during the vacation.
- His family felt ignored.
- The office was still chaotic.
The solution lies in creating clear boundaries and building a company culture where not every issue lands on the owner’s lap.
Why Time Off Matters
- Mental Clarity – A rested mind makes better decisions.
- Family Trust – Spouses and children feel valued when they get your full attention.
- Business Growth – Teams step up when given room to solve problems.
The Power of Disconnecting Completely
For many owners, the idea of totally shutting off feels terrifying. Yet some of the most successful entrepreneurs schedule regular “blackout periods” where they disconnect entirely.
Steven takes quarterly trips:
- Christmas trip
- Spring break trip
- Fall break trip
- Summer week off
During these, he avoids business calls altogether. Even Disney Cruises, which remove cell service, became powerful resets.
“I came back a better boss with so much clarity. I got addicted to that feeling of disconnecting.” – Steven Reed
The truth is, your team often grows stronger in your absence. They face challenges head-on without leaning on you for every answer.
Building Systems That Let You Step Away
The biggest hurdle is trust. Many owners don’t fully believe their staff can handle issues. That doubt leads to phone calls, interruptions, and half-worked vacations.
Steven’s System: One-Point Accountability
- Appoint one person (EA, VA, or manager) as the sole contact while you’re away.
- All staff know that only that person can reach you.
- Schedule one daily check-in (30–45 minutes) to review consolidated updates.
- No random texts, calls, or emails from anyone else.
This simple structure ensures you’re informed without being overwhelmed.
Trade Shows & ROI: How to Maximize Events
Trade shows and conferences are major investments. Booth rentals, travel, hotels, and marketing materials add up quickly. Too many owners attend without a clear plan and leave with little to show for it.
Mark Hirschi shared proven tactics that turned trade shows into profitable events:
1. Prepare Before the Event
- Request the attendee/vendor list in advance.
- Highlight 3–5 priority contacts.
- Research their businesses and prepare custom pitches.
2. Booth Strategy That Works
- Invest a few cents more on larger tote bags so attendees use yours to carry everything else.
- Add spinning wheels or kid-friendly giveaways like rubber duckies to create excitement.
- Use trackable QR codes on every handout linking to a landing page.
3. Owner-Led Networking
Mark makes it a point to walk the floor himself:
- Visit vendors personally.
- Offer flat-rate move-out services for exhibitors.
- Build partnerships with contractors, HVAC companies, and designers who may need movers later.
This strategy alone often pays for the booth before the event even begins. Everything else—leads, brand recognition, vendor partnerships—is gravy.
Case Study: Delegation, Trust & Real Leadership
Mark shared a breakthrough moment: his operations manager began pushing back on staff who bypassed her and went directly to him.
“She tells them: ‘I already gave you the answer. There’s no reason to bother Mark.’ That makes everyone stronger.”
This illustrates the importance of empowering leaders within your company.
Practical Ways to Build Trust
- Create SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures): So managers have a reference point.
- Praise staff publicly when they protect your time.
- Coach problem-solving: Ask, “If I wasn’t here, how would you handle this?”
When owners stop being bottlenecks, employees step up, the company strengthens, and owners finally get space to think strategically instead of firefighting daily issues.
Why Choose Movified
Movified isn’t just another business podcast. It’s the leading content hub for movers across North America.
With insider interviews from leaders like Steven Reed and host Mark Hirschi, you gain:
- Proven strategies from owners who’ve built multimillion-dollar moving brands.
- Systems that let you reclaim your time without losing control.
- Practical playbooks for marketing, sales, leadership, and operations.
Conclusion
Balancing time as a moving company owner is challenging but achievable. The key lies in:
- Building systems that empower your team.
- Taking intentional breaks to reset and recharge.
- Turning trade shows into ROI engines instead of expensive distractions.
By applying the lessons from Mark Hirschi and Steven Reed in this episode of Movified, you can scale your company, strengthen your team, and still enjoy the moments that matter most.
“Don’t accept defeat on Day 1. Put your stake in the ground and make vacations work for you.” – Steven Reed
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.
