Introduction
Scaling a moving company is no small feat. Labor shortages, high claims risk, and unpredictable seasonality make growth difficult. Yet, every so often, a moving business breaks through and scales fast—without losing quality.
In this Movified episode, host Mark Hirschi (owner of Salmon’s Moving & Storage, Vancouver, BC) sits down with Zach Kielbasa, founder of Ox Strong Moving, to uncover exactly how to scale a moving company from a college side hustle into a multi-location, franchise-ready operation in just four years.
If you’re a moving company owner, franchisee, or industry professional looking for a proven roadmap, this breakdown of Zach’s story will give you actionable takeaways on recruiting, branding, systems, and franchising.
Key Takeaways
What You’ll Learn:
- Recruit for attributes, not résumés. Skills can be taught; attitude and energy cannot.
- Market like a brand, not a mover. Branding creates longevity; marketing drives short-term demand.
- Use daily standards to prevent chaos. Scaling isn’t one silver bullet—it’s 100 little BBs.
- Explore overlooked marketing channels. Instagram, niche print ads, and community outreach drive surprising results.
Table of Contents
- What Scaling a Moving Company Really Takes
- Why Ox Strong Stands Out: People, Process, and Pink
- Execution Playbook: Recruiting, Training, and Daily Operations
- Case Study: From Gainesville to Fort Myers to Franchising
- Lessons from Mistakes and Crazy Moves
- Marketing That Works: From Instagram to Newspapers
- 2025 and Beyond: Franchises, Growth, and Daily Discipline
- Why Choose Movified
- Conclusion
What Scaling a Moving Company Really Takes
Most moving companies hit a ceiling because they treat their business as trucks + labor. But scaling a moving company requires something different: a systems-first mindset.
Ox Strong began in 2021 with no money and a U-Haul dispatch desk. In four years, they grew into a three-location brand, managing 15–20 trucks at month-end, with a franchising model in motion.
The lesson? You don’t need a massive bankroll to start scaling. You need tight processes, fast recruiting, and a culture that customers—and employees—want to be part of.
Why Ox Strong Stands Out: People, Process, and Pink
Ox Strong didn’t succeed by chance. It grew because of a deliberate culture that blends marketing, recruiting, and community presence.
People First
Zach is clear: “We don’t hire movers—we hire marketers.” Every hire represents the brand in front of clients. A strict funnel weeds out 99% of applicants, leaving only the best.
Process Discipline
Zach runs on what he calls the “100 little BBs” principle. Scaling isn’t about big strokes—it’s about enforcing tiny standards every single day:
- Trucks swept
- Pads folded
- Notes reviewed
- Tools checked
- One customer-service takeaway reinforced per crew
Pink Branding
The company’s bold pink color scheme isn’t random—it honors Zach’s mother’s fight with stage IV breast cancer. This unique branding stands out online, wins local attention, and creates emotional resonance.
Execution Playbook: Recruiting, Training, and Daily Operations
You can replicate Ox Strong’s method in your market. Here’s the step-by-step playbook:
Recruiting That Works
- Culture first: Emphasize fitness, reliability, and customer care.
- Unique sourcing: Gyms, ROTC programs, referrals, and community centers.
- Speed: Treat applicants like hot leads—review, respond, and schedule quickly.
- Funnel stages: Application → Zoom → In-person → Training. Expect attrition and plan for it.
- Attributes over skills: A positive, strong worker beats a skilled but toxic mover.
Training That Sticks
- Modern, short-form training videos + written tests.
- Hands-on wrap and pad sessions.
- Pair rookies with your best crews.
- Evaluate weekly and promote fast learners.
Daily Ops = “100 BBs”
- Early arrival → check trucks → review notes.
- Pre-job crew briefing with a service takeaway.
- Post-job closeout with photos, claims check, and a customer follow-up.
Set expectations:
- Cost: Invest in uniforms, training materials, and time.
- Time: 3 weeks from application to first job.
- Outcome: Stronger reviews, fewer claims, and predictable quality.
Case Study: From Gainesville to Fort Myers to Franchising
The Gainesville office reached stability within a year. But Zach’s friend in Fort Myers—about to lose his golf course job when snowbirds left—sparked the next move.
The Fort Myers Experiment
- 5 rental trucks staged at a fraternity lot.
- A garage stocked with pads and dollies.
- Crews recruited by knocking on frat house doors at dawn.
- Training in the middle of frat parties.
It was chaotic but effective. Within months, Ox Strong had two thriving markets.
Toward Franchising
By 2025, Ox Strong is targeting 4–5 franchises. The model:
- Franchisee brings ownership and local accountability.
- Ox Strong provides systems, branding, and training.
This mix of local drive + central systems is exactly how to scale a moving company sustainably.
Lessons from Mistakes and Crazy Moves
Scaling isn’t clean. Zach admits mistakes:
- Transmission lesson: Spent $20,000 repairing a $40,000 truck. Should’ve cut losses sooner.
- Untrained hires: Early jobs went sideways until training was systematized.
Mark shared his own stories: a driver sideswiping 8 cars, a worker stripping down to underwear during a pay dispute, and even nearly being roofied on a job.
The point? Mistakes teach you what not to do, and strong systems prevent repeating them.
Marketing That Works: From Instagram to Newspapers
Most moving leads come from Google or brokers. But Ox Strong found success in unexpected places.
- Instagram: Surprising source of high-quality leads and a recruiting channel.
- Community presence: Bold pink jerseys at local events create word-of-mouth.
- Print ads: In senior-heavy markets, local newspapers delivered measurable ROI using tracking numbers.
2025 and Beyond: Franchises, Growth, and Daily Discipline
Looking ahead, Ox Strong has two parallel goals:
- Franchise rollout – 4–5 units by year’s end.
- Operational refinement – doubling down on the small standards that scale quality.
As Zach put it: “Scaling isn’t one big silver bullet. It’s 100 little BBs done right every day.”
That’s the true answer to how to scale a moving company.
Why Choose Movified
Movified isn’t theory—it’s insider access to the operators who’ve lived it.
- Real operators: Mark Hirschi runs Salmon’s Moving & Storage, est. 1913.
- Proven guests: Owners like Zach Kielbasa share field-tested playbooks.
- Actionable insights: Recruiting scripts, branding guides, and system checklists you can use today.
Conclusion
Scaling isn’t glamorous—it’s people, process, and brand. Ox Strong proves that when you recruit with discipline, market boldly, and enforce small daily standards, you can go from a U-Haul parking lot to a franchise-ready moving empire.
Final thought: “Show up on time and don’t break my stuff.” That’s the baseline. How you scale is by going far beyond that.
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.
