Introduction
Scaling a moving company is often described as a chaotic grind, but with the right systems and culture, that grind can actually be a source of energy. Chad Olsen, the President of Camelback Moving, has built a massive, multi-departmental operation in Phoenix, Arizona, that relies on intense oversight, clear communication, and a fun, organized culture.
In this episode of Movified Cribs, host Mark Hirschi takes a behind-the-scenes tour of Camelback Moving’s headquarters. Chad walks through how his personal passions—like the Grateful Dead and Star Wars—blend into his daily operations, the exact dispatch schedule his team uses to prevent move-day disasters, and the introspective practices that allow him to avoid burnout while working 345 days a year.
Key Takeaways
What You’ll Learn:
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How Camelback Moving’s “Core Values” wall sets the moral compass for the entire company.
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Why Chad uses a mix of vertical and horizontal monitors to maintain “Eye in the Sky” oversight of his fleet.
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The brilliant Operations Clock that dictates exactly when dispatch touches base with crews throughout the day.
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The unusual self-care routines that keep Chad from burning out while managing the stress of a multi-million-dollar moving company.
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Table of Contents
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Defining the Culture: The Core Values Wall
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Ground Zero: The “Eye in the Sky” Office
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The Operations Clock: Systemizing Dispatch
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Preventing Burnout: The Importance of Introspection
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Why Movified Preserves These Industry Stories
- Conclusion
Defining the Culture: The Core Values Wall
The moment you walk into Camelback Moving, you are greeted by a massive wall detailing the company’s Core Values. Chad explains that this wall sets the tone and moral compass for both the office staff and the field crews.
The values start from the top with Customer Focus and cascade down through Proactivity, Teamwork, Perseverance, Community, and Integrity. Chad is particularly passionate about proactivity—ensuring that both field and office staff address potential obstacles before a move takes place. Additionally, the company’s commitment to community is evident in their charity work, which includes participating in toy drives and dressing up in custom Star Wars costumes to greet foster kids at movie premieres.
Ground Zero: The "Eye in the Sky" Office
Chad’s office is affectionately dubbed “Ground Zero,” located at the end of an expansion hallway decorated entirely with Grateful Dead memorabilia.
The office itself resembles an air traffic control center. Chad utilizes a massive bank of monitors—including vertical screens specifically designed for reading financial statements and horizontal screens for emails and multiple camera feeds. These cameras allow him to see exactly who is walking in the front door, what is happening on the north lot, and whether fleet mechanics are performing necessary truck maintenance. For Chad, this level of oversight is not about being “Big Brother”; it is about being present to ensure that systems are followed, preventing the “slippery slope” of bad reviews and unhappy customers that occurs when leadership gets too comfortable.
The Operations Clock: Systemizing Dispatch
In the Operations Department, Chad revealed one of the most brilliant visual tools in the industry: the Operations Clock.
Instead of a standard clock face, this custom clock only highlights the specific times the operations team must perform their mandatory crew check-ins.
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6:10 AM: Dispatch begins.
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10:30 AM: First touch-base with all foremen to determine who is running early, who is running late, and who needs help.
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12:00 PM & 2:30 PM: Subsequent crew check-ins.
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5:00 PM: The end-of-day shift change meeting, where the commercial and operations teams meet with Chad to address any overnight issues.
This simple, highly visual novelty clock ensures that the dispatch team never misses a critical check-in, keeping the daily schedule running smoothly.
Preventing Burnout: The Importance of Introspection
Many owners burn out trying to maintain the level of oversight Chad demands, yet Chad continues to work roughly 345 days a year with high energy.
When asked how he avoids burnout, Chad shared his personal routines for decompression and rejuvenation. On a daily level, he utilizes simple tools like a 30-minute soak in the jacuzzi or 20 minutes in a $7,000 massage chair to shake off the stress of difficult customer service calls. He also regularly attends live music events, where he can completely disconnect.
More importantly, Chad discussed his 28 years of sobriety and his heavy involvement in a 12-step program. He regularly participates in meetings, works with newcomers, and engages in deep introspective work. This practice keeps him “right-sized,” ensuring he doesn’t become tyrannical or overbearing as a boss, and forces him to make amends if he speaks sharply to an employee. For Chad, investing energy into his recovery and his staff returns an equal amount of energy, making the daily grind of the moving industry exciting rather than exhausting.
Why Movified Preserves These Industry Stories
Movified exists to document the knowledge that standard business textbooks miss.
Hosted by Mark Hirschi, the show dives deep into the tools, technologies, and realities of running a modern moving business. Movified’s value lies in:
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Honest conversations about the realities of burnout, addiction recovery, and the mental toll of running a high-stress service business.
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Proven, highly tactical strategies from operators like Chad Olsen, such as the visual Operations Clock and the necessity of “Eye in the Sky” fleet management.
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Lessons earned through real-world execution, ensuring the next generation of movers understands that a strong company culture requires constant, proactive oversight.
Conclusion
Running a successful moving company requires more than just booking jobs; it requires an intense dedication to operational systems and company culture. By establishing clear Core Values, maintaining strict visual oversight of his facility, and utilizing tools like the Operations Clock to guarantee communication, Chad Olsen has built Camelback Moving into a highly profitable, well-oiled machine. Most importantly, his story proves that you can survive the grind of the moving industry if you commit to personal introspection and find healthy ways to decompress outside of the office.
