FROM DEAD-END JOB TO OWNING A BUSINESS: HOW THIS MILLENNIAL REWROTE HIS FUTURE:

At 23 years old, Adam Powell wasn’t where he wanted to be. He was in a dead-end job and wanted a change, but he felt like he was going nowhere — fast.

Then, an unexpected opportunity set him on the path to realizing a lifelong dream: entrepreneurship. He didn’t know if he could do it but he took a chance on himself and purchased a moving franchise. Here’s how Adam took control of his future as a franchise owner with You Move Me.

O2E: WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU JOINED YOU MOVE ME?

AP: Honestly, not a lot. I left college and was working in a factory, but I hated the job. I moved to Madison and was looking to get hired quickly, so I took a temp job as a mover with a local company called You Move Me. A week later, they offered me a full-time job.

O2E: TELL ME HOW YOU WENT FROM MOVER TO BUSINESS OWNER.

AP: I was a mover for less than a year before I was promoted. We were growing quickly, so I stepped in to do onsite estimates. That was three years ago.

At the time, the business wasn’t running with a hands-on owner. They had a general manager who left so they had me take over. At first, I thought, “There’s no way I can buy a business.” I didn’t have savings or a degree, but I wanted it and had the drive to make it happen.

I decided to ask my parents, unsure if they would help. They’re highly principled people and believe you have to work hard for yourself. But they believed in me and my passion; they could see that this was the perfect opportunity for me. They ended up putting their vehicles on loan as collateral to help me buy the business. My mom even works for me now! She does our admin and welcome phone calls.

O2E: WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST PART SO FAR? THE HARDEST PART?

AP: I’m a very competitive person so I love the grind. I’ve also been surprised by how easy it is to stay motivated. I love the work, it’s fun, and I’m excited to get up in the morning.

My biggest challenge has been balancing work with my personal life. We’re still in start-up, so it’s a lot of work to get off the ground. I’ve had to prioritize my business over my personal life but I know it’s a marathon, not a race. I’ve only owned the franchise for five months. Eventually, it’ll all balance back out.

O2E: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE LOOKING INTO A FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY?

AP: If you’re going to own a business, you need to be hands-on and lead from within. You need to get your hands dirty to understand how the process works. Since I started as a mover, I can see the perspective of everyone on my team. Being on the frontlines and working with customers can be stressful; it’s a tough thing to understand unless you’ve actually been there and done it.

O2E: HOW HAS YOUR LIFE CHANGED?

AP: I finally feel like I have a purpose. Other jobs are just about making money to survive. Now, I feel as though I’m making a difference.

I remember the first move I ever did and the relief I saw on our customer’s face. Moving is such a stressful time, but we showed up with smiles on our faces ready to help. We truly care and seeing our customers’ reactions is so rewarding.

My parents raised me on the belief that if you do the right thing, good things will happen. That is completely aligned with what we do at You Move Me. We take care of our customers, treat them right, and everyone walks away happy.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® moving and storage solutions to prepare for the holiday season!

December is in full swing, the snow is falling (for some of us), and the holiday cheer is abundant which can only mean one thing – Christmas is near!

If you haven’t already, it’s time to get a jump on your Christmas preparation! Get those decorations out of storage, get your furniture ready and arranged for your holiday parties, and make sure you are ready to spread that Christmas spirit. While TWO MEN AND A TRUCK is known for our outstanding local moving services, we also specialize in home moving, and can help assist you with anything you may need as you prepare for Christmas.

Having your home looking festive and ready for the holidays is a must, and there’s a lot more into decorating than you might think. From getting the lights and trees out of the attic to making sure you have your furniture in the right place – and enough furniture for everyone – there’s a lot of moving involved.

What better way to prepare for all of this than with a special, Christmas-themed TWO MEN AND A TRUCK song on how to prepare for holiday moving?

We’ve also put together an expert list of moving tips for you to follow to make sure everything is on track and ready to go. If you need help with your home moving during the holiday, be sure to reach out to your local TWO MEN AND A TRUCKfranchise and see how they can help move you forward this Christmas!

Rearranging your furniture

This comes as no surprise, but your Christmas tree and other holiday decorations can take up additional space you don’t normally have to account for during the rest of the year, which can lead to your furniture needing to be shuffled around to make room.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK’s professionally trained moving teams can come to your house and help get that large couch or table in exactly the right spot so you’re able to properly accommodate your guests.

Have extra furniture available!

Christmas parties can include a lot of extended family and extra guests, and making sure everyone has a place to sit is important. If you have extra furniture in an attic, storage facility, or out in the garage, our movers would be more than willingly to help bring it inside and place it accordingly.

Make sure to have extra boxes

Storage is at a premium during the holidays, and you want to make sure you have enough boxes to safely put everything away. It’s better to have the boxes and not need them then to need them and not have them, so make sure you’re prepared to put away all of your lights, ornaments, and other Christmas decorations.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK offers a wide variety of moving and specialty boxes, and we can deliver these right to your home at your convenience!

Gift delivery

Did you make a special gift purchase for someone this year such as a large piece of furniture, appliance, or other heavy object that you aren’t sure how you’ll transport? You’ve come to the right place!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK now offers a pickup and delivery service to handle this very problem. We can pick up the large object you’ve bought, deliver it right to your home (or wherever needed), and help bring it inside and set it up.

This eliminates the hassle – and potential danger – of trying to do it yourself, allowing you to shift your focus elsewhere!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

5 Simple Alternatives To Living On Pizza While Preparing For Your Move:

One of the biggest struggles during the moving process is balancing real life against the temporary but very disruptive packing/moving stage. The kitchen, as we all know, is the most time consuming room to pack, but it’s also the most necessary for day-to-day life. Thankfully, there’s takeout, but unless you live in a major city, you’re pretty much limited to pizza and Chinese food — and then there’s the cost and the calories.

Featured image via Pizza Queen/Flickr.

The good news, though, is that you don’t have to live on pizza and Chinese food. You can keep eating normal (and healthy) food right up until moving day.

Pack everything but the microwave

Before you start packing, prepare some of your own microwavable dishes. Pasta dishes heat well, as do soups and casseroles. Freeze them in single use serving sizes (or refrigerate them if we’re talking days instead of weeks) and microwave them when you’re ready. A pre-made salad mix from the supermarket will make it a well-rounded meal.

Make sandwiches

Nearly everyone loves a good sandwich, and they can be surprisingly nutritious. If your sandwich repertoire includes the basics like turkey, tuna and PB&J and would like a little more variety, a quick Google search will give you thousands. Real Simple has several that I’ve tried and definitely get my seal of approval.

Barbecue

Who says you can only barbecue during the summer? People who aren’t in the process of moving, that’s who. While cleaning the grill can be a pain, it’s nothing compared to cleaning pots and pans, the stove (or oven) and counters.

Buy and instant pot

Instant pots are the newest hot things in cooking tools and for very good reasons. In minutes, you can whip up a meal that would otherwise take hours. Not only that, the cleanup is simple. Here are several recipes to get you started.

Ask for help

Odds are you’re past the age of enlisting your friends for the backbreaking work, but if a kind friend offers to help, take them up on it. Ask them to bring you some leftovers.

HOW MANY MOVERS DO I NEED?

The experts at Elite Moving Labor want to help you be prepared for your do-it-yourself move. That is why they created this handy moving guide to help you choose the right number of movers and estimate how long your move will take to complete.

 Don't need the movers to complete the entire move? No problem! You can reserve movers to help for the minimum time only.

• By Home Size
• By Amount of Space

• Home Size/SqFt	Load Only	Unload Only	Load AND Unload
  Studio Apartment (400-600 SqFt)	2 Movers / 2 Hours	2 Movers / 2 Hours	2 Movers / 3-4 Hours
  1-2 Bedroom Apartment (700-1200 SqFt)	2 Movers / 3 Hours	2 Movers / 2 Hours	2 Movers / 4-5 Hours
  2-3 Bedroom Home (1100-1600 SqFt)	3 Movers / 3-4 Hours	3 Movers / 2-3 Hours	3 Movers / 5-7 Hours
  3-4 Bedroom Home (1500-2200 SqFt)	3 Movers / 4-5 Hours	3 Movers / 3-4 Hours	3 Movers / 7-9 Hours
  4+ Bedroom Home (2000-3000 SqFt)	4 Movers / 4-6 Hours	4 Movers / 3-4 Hours	4 Movers / 7-10 Hours
  Mansion or Royal Palace (3000+ SqFt)	4-6 Movers / 5-8 Hours	4-6 Movers / 4-6 Hours	5-6 Movers / 8-10+ Hours

HELP WITH ESTIMATING

Every move is unique and your move could take more or less time than we estimate. Ultimately, there are many variables that contribute to how long you move takes. It's important to understand how these variables may affect your total move time to help you plan accordingly.

Elevator, Long Carry and Stairs: In a perfect world your truck or container would be sitting just a few feet from your home. Unfortunately, we don't live in a perfect world and it's usually much more complicated than that. When the movers have to climb stairs, use an elevator (reserved or not) or walk a long distance (long carry) it can substantially increase the time it takes to complete your move.

Packing, Assembly and Disassembly: Our time estimates are based on the assumption that your items are already packed and there is minimal assembly/disassembly required. Your moving help can absolutely provide these services for you, however, it will impact your move completion time.

Drive Time: Travel time to and from your location is included in your rate and the movers won't begin billing until they arrive. However, if you've booked a single moving crew to both load and unload on the same day, then the drive time between your origin and destination is billable time.

How to Tackle a DIY Move in a Walk-Up Apartment:

Moving to a busy city, like NYC, is an incredible option for many people but it also means that you will have to adjust the way you live. For many, that includes having a very small apartment with multiple roommates and/or living in a walk-up apartment. But the job opportunities and vibrancy are definite perks that many trade in for space. However, before you can enjoy all that the city can offer, you will have to move all of you stuff up into your walk-up apartment. This can be especially challenging if you’re moving into an old building that doesn’t have an elevator where you’ll have to take multiple trips up and down the stairs. To help you out, we are breaking down some tips how to help you to deal with your DIY move in a walk-up apartment.

Handling a DIY Move in a Walk-Up Apartment

#1 Enlist your friends:

There’s no getting around this; moving into a walk-up is going to be hard. And while you may want to save money by not using a moving company, you will need help. Ask your friends two weeks or so in advance if they can help you with this move. Make sure to be honest about exactly what’s involved such as how many flights up your apartment is, how much heavy furniture you have and how long you think the move will take. Offering them something, like a beer or dinner, is a nice (and, yes, affordable) way to say thank you.

#2 Find a moving truck or van:

Since you are moving on your own, you’ll have to find a rental company. Before you call and/or visit a facility, make sure you can estimate the size of move. For example, if you have a small move with a minimal amount of furniture you’ll need a small van; whereas if you have more stuff, you’ll need a larger truck or van. Knowing the size of your move beforehand is really helpful to know for your moving budget.

#3 Load your items efficiently:

This part can be tricky if you are moving on your own. Movers know exactly how to place items in a van, much like a puzzle, in order to both fit everything in that also makes it easier to navigate during the unloading process. The best way to tackle this part of your move is to load up your heavier and bulkier items towards the back, then load up your boxes. You have to think very strategically during this part, which can make the unloading process a lot easier.

#4 Move early:

City streets are super busy and chaotic, pretty much all the time! If you can, move during a workday and when it’s very early to try to avoid traffic. Also, be sure to ask your new landlord about double parking if you can’t find parking the day of your move.

#5 Unload your items:

Now, here comes the fun part. After you find parking (hopefully!) or can double-park, you’ll need to get everything out of your van in an efficient manner. With your friend (or friends), start unloading your items. Ideally, this would include your moving boxes and storage containers first, then the larger items. For the boxes, you and your friend should each be able to carry them on your own as you go up and down the stairs into your walk-up. The tricky part is when you have to start lifting the heavier items such as your bed, TV, couch, dresser, desk, kitchen table, and bookcases. You will both have to carry each side of your heavier items where one person is walking backwards and the other is guiding the movement. Be extremely careful during this process where you should walk slow and continually check in with one another, especially as you go up the stairs, and in some instances, have to swivel and turn.

#6 Be aware:

Another part of this type of DIY move is to be aware of the people around you-both on the street and your new neighbors. As you go from your moving truck to the street to your apartment, make sure that you are alert of your surroundings, which can get affected if you and your friend are lifting and trying to maneuver large items like a bed or couch.

#7 Take breaks:

All of the up and down, carrying your stuff in your walk up is sure to be tiring. Take breaks (as needed) and make sure to have plenty of water and snacks on-hand.

#8 Return your moving truck:

In some instances, you might have to return your moving truck that day or find parking after everything is in your new apartment. While this DIY move is sure to have been a tiring experience, it’s important to deal with the final steps of this move and return the van.

#9 Relax:

You did it! You moved into a walk-up apartment and now it’s time to relax and enjoy your new space. If you need some air after your big day, go explore with your friend and tackle the unpacking later or in a few days.

Moving on your own into a walk-up can be tricky. We hope these tips helped to break the process for you and if you need with your move, you can also find a professional moving company to help you out.

Halloween House Decorations:

Whether Halloween ranks up high on your favorite holidays or not, it does spark the holiday decorator inside of all of us. As October fades into November and December, we feel that clawing need to fix up our homes to match the season. Fortunately, the excitement of these festivities stops us from noticing the changing temperatures and lack of sunlight. We illuminate our days with family, parties, and holiday cheer! As September wanes, start discovering ways to spook up your home for Halloween.

Here's a list of simple at home crafts to adorn your house with!

1. Black cat pumpkins - The easiest way to enhance the pumpkin you picked up at the local supermarket is painting. Unlike pumpkin carving, painting proves easy (and safe) for kids of all ages! Have each member of your family design their own to create a litter of kitties to perch on your front porch. Allow a crafty adult to hot glue some felt ears and whiskers to complete the faces. Try these directions from HGTV.

2. Apothecary jars - This one's for the moms! Adapt your empty jars to the season. Fill the glass vessels with colorful items to spruce up a table or mantle. Visit your local craft store for mini pumpkins, artificial autumnal leaves, or plastic spiders.

3. Creepy crawlers - Here's another crafting gem that uses mini pumpkins as candle holders. Scoop out the middle, and be sure the hole measures 1.5 inches in diameter. Add tealights (real or battery powered) and pipe cleaner legs to finish a buggy candle caddy. Check out pictures here.

4. Bird appeal - You've heard of curb appeal, but what's scarier than a hoard of birds outside your front door? Crows, ravens, and avian skeletons... throw them up in the trees on your lawn. Utilize different sizes for an eerie entrance effect. 

5. Spine-chilling smorgasbord - Don't stop inside; dish out appetizers and other snacks in ominous ways. Serve candy corn inside a split open skull. Buy salad tongs that resemble skeletal fingers. Display homemade baked goods under cloches for a vintage Victorian feel. Layer ripped tulle under the dishes to create the sinister illusion that it's been there since the previous owner died. 

What are some ways you decorate for Halloween? Share in the comments below!

The Power Of The Atlas Moving Dictionary:

Moving is a specialized industry and one that some interact with on an infrequent basis. The average U.S. citizen will move 11.4 times in his or her lifetime, according to FiveThirtyEight. That's slightly less than one move per decade, all told, which means you may not be intimately familiar with some important but less-common terms in the moving world.

Atlas is here to help you clear up any confusion with our A-to-Z moving dictionary, full of definitions that help you navigate the moving process, including a number of real estate terms related to buying and selling a home. Follow the link to look for a specific term, or read on for a review of a handful of choice words from the dictionary:

Selected definitions from the Atlas moving dictionary

"Our moving dictionary is an A-to-Z resource for movers."

Accessorial services: Many moves involve more than just the physical transport of your belongings from your old home to your new one. Accessorial services are any other services necessary to complete the move or that are requested by a customer. One of the most common is packing, where our skilled agents secure your belongings, large and small, before the move occurs. Other examples include custom crating, appliance servicing and stair and long-distance carry needs, among others.

Carrier's certificate and release order: The carrier's certificate and release order is a necessary component of international moves, as it's filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to share details of a shipment's ownership and what's inside the vehicle or container moving the items. It also establishes that the owner of the items being moved into the country can file for CBP to release that cargo.

Foreign service premium: Employees who engage in corporate relocations frequently receive a cash allowance in exchange for their decision to accept a foreign posting with their employer. This payment is sometimes called an international adjustment allowance or an international assignment premium.

Health certificate: Often called the same thing for both pets and humans, the health certificate serves different purposes for each. For people, it's a certified statement from a physician about an individual's health and physical condition, often used to substantiate the need for prescription medication. For pets, its a certified statement from a veterinarian about an animal's health and vaccination history, needed to enter certain foreign countries.

Landbridge, full: Items carried from one foreign port to another, moving across the entire U.S. - east to west, north to south or a combination of directions - on the ground.

Open-end mortgage: A open-end mortgage can be expanded, allowing the mortgage holder to borrow more money without rewriting the initial agreement.

Quitclaim deed: A document that removes any interest or title claim a person may have in a piece of property.

Tare weight: The weight of a moving truck, including any moving equipment and packing materials, before it's loaded with a shipment. This is vital in accurately calculating moving costs.

Walk board: The ramp used to connect a moving vehicle with the ground and eliminate the need to lift heavy items or boxes from the ground to the truck.

Didn't see the term you want defined in this wide-ranging list? Check out the full dictionary to find it.