TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® meets in sunny Florida for 2018 Annual Meeting

Members of the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® family from all over the United States and Canada traveled to Orlando this week to gather at the Renaissance Orlando for TWO MEN AND A TRUCK’s 2018 Annual Meeting.

People from all levels of the system – including franchisees, managers, and Home Office employees – kicked off this year’s Annual Meeting on Sunday, March 4, and the festivities ran through Tuesday night. The system met to hear system updates and the state of the moving industry, in addition to attending quality educational sessions on a variety of topics to better their businesses and focus on hitting 2018 goals. The meeting ended with an awards dinner and celebration to recognize the brand’s top performers.

“Without a doubt, this year’s Annual Meeting was nothing short of a success,” said TWO MEN AND A TRUCK CEO Jon Nobis. “The event gave everyone from franchisees to managers, marketers, vendors, and Home Office team members the opportunity to reconnect and further enhance relationships. We learned not just about key TWO MEN AND A TRUCK projects and updates, but also from each other on the directions we can take to continue to grow our brand and reach our 2018 goals.”

This year’s meeting kicked off the morning of March 4 with a moving prayer breakfast, followed by a Q&A session from founding-family members Melanie Bergeron, Brig Sorber, and Jon Sorber. Next, the executive team- President Randy Shacka, CEO Jon Nobis, Chief Talent Officer Sara Bennett, and Chief Financial Officer Brant Hartle- gave a state of the system address, highlighted plans and goals for the company, and focused on new strategies to help continue our outstanding growth.

“The brand is stronger today because of you,” said TWO MEN AND A TRUCK President Randy Shacka addressing the crowd. “We’ve never been as strong as we are today.”

Attendees were then treated to a keynote speech from Eric Chester, a leading voice in the world of employee engagement and workplace culture tactics. Chester has provided his insight in the world of workplace culture for more than 30 years, and spoke to attendees about igniting passion in the workplace and creating a culture where team members want to perform better and stick around longer with the company.

Day 2 of Annual Meeting was officially down to business for everyone there as a variety of education sessions were provided to those in attendance to help them continue growing their teams and businesses.

Sessions on payroll, ad fund, sales reporting, maximizing sales management, Value Flex®, and other relevant topics were presented by subject matter experts from Home Office, in addition to panels of experts made up of franchisees and managers from the system. There was also an extensive vendor marketplace for attendees to browse through and meet with vendors while learning about the latest and greatest in the world of moving, tech, marketing, etc., and find solutions that could further their business growth.

“It’s exciting to see how heavily involved the industry is, and how many vendors take time out of their schedule to be here for us,” said Brad Wheeler, the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchisee in Etabicoke, Ontario.

Everything wrapped up on March 6 for Day 3 of Annual Meeting, and it was a time to reflect not only on the events over the three day period, but also over everything that has happened over the last year for TWO MEN AND A TRUCK.

Tuesday was capped off with a successful awards night ceremony, where members of every level in the company were recognized for their accomplishments, milestone achievements, hard work, and dedication to the brand. Awards were handed out for a wide-range of areas, including sales, customer service, community support, revenue, operational excellence, and many more. The safety award was even presented by current Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Driver, Gray Goulding!

“As always, Annual Meeting was informative and the source for great ideas we are already beginning to implement at each of our locations,” said Alexa Lanier, a multi-unit marketing director at our Fort Lauderdale, Miramar, Pompano Beach, and Boca Raton locations in Florida. “We always love the opportunity to see other members of our TWO MEN AND A TRUCK family, and celebrate each other’s successes.”

As always, it was a fantastic event for everyone who was able to attend, and highlighted all of the numerous reasons that make TWO MEN A TRUCK such a wonderful company to be a part of. We continue to be the leaders in the moving industry and always strive to hire outstanding people, and that’s what makes events like this possible.

Check out some of the great photos taken through the three day-period!

5 Things that can Mess Up Your Move

Significant events require a lot of planning and preparation to be a success; whether it is an important project at work, organizing a house party, or just wanting a dinner ready by six o’clock, plans have to be made and followed through on. Moving is no different, in fact, it may require even more attention and planning to take off correctly. Moving involves you picking up everything you have accumulated throughout your life at one house, and are now moving it to an entirely new location.

What to Watch out For

If you do not plan out what will be needed to make this move flawless, then you will face hardships and obstacles that may include you being unable to move in what and when you want. Here are some things that can ultimately ruin your next moving experience if you do not have a plan in place.

Don’t Wait, Initiate

Timing is everything when it comes to moving. It is essential that you start packing as soon as you can. This will ensure that all of your things are ready to be transported and no additional time will be wasted trying to rush and pack last minute.

Narrowing your Options

Do not meet with only one moving company. You need to consider shopping around to find, not just the best deal but also the best moving company. Sure, you may meet with the most cost-effective one, but they may also not offer packing services. Look around for exactly what you want and need.

Measure it Out

Make sure to measure out the location you will be moving. Take into account the amount of space you will have and how much space your things will be occupying. This will ensure you know which rooms would be best for having those items.

In the same vein as this, be sure to measure the entrances to your new home. This will show you which doors you can use to move your property through. If your new home has a garage, but the connecting door is too small to fit furniture through, you may be better off looking to the front door instead of committing to moving your sofa through a door that turns out to be too small.

Pack it Right

If you are not using a shipping service or using one that does not offer packing services, then it is up to you to pack everything up. Make sure you pack your stuff with care, making sure not to pack fragile items without the proper packing material to accompany them. Also make sure that with such fragile things you are using the appropriate boxes as well, as soft boxes can lead to your stuff being damaged during the trip.

Insure you Items

Even with everything thought out, appropriately packed, and everything was falling into place does not mean that accidents cannot still happen; damage can still occur. Look into getting your things insured in case any mishaps happen. This is especially true when you bring a moving company into the picture. Though it is true that these are professional movers, they are still human and can make mistakes. Your best bet is to get your things insured.

Southwest Movers

At Southwest Movers we love helping people move. If you are younger and not attached to an area, we highly recommend moving somewhere crazy and getting to know people somewhere new. But if you are looking at staying close to family or jobs, it doesn’t hurt to find smaller communities and increasing your commute. IF you have any questions at all, give us a call!

7 Best Real Estate Blogs for New Agents

Reading is always a great way to learn, and to that end, we’ve compiled a list of the seven best real estate blogs for agents to follow. Of course, reading doesn’t take the place of practical experience. But you might be surprised by just how much you can learn by reading about real estate. Become a real estate agent who stays on top of real estate news!

We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite blogs for real estate agents. If you’re new to the game, let these blogs be your guide as you get your career underway.

Best real estate blogs to follow

Redfin. Redfin writers are also real estate professionals, and most of the information on their blog is based on the experiences of these working real estate agents. The blog focuses on bringing you up-to-date information on real estate markets throughout the United States backed with insights from their experts.

Mckissock.  When it comes to furthering your education, McKissock’s the place to go. Not only are there numerous educational resources, like real estate investing 101, but their blog is robust and provides helpful tips such as “How to Break Bad News to Real Estate Clients.” It’s updated regularly and always a good place to go for legitimate how-to tips as well as broader information about the industry as a whole.

Housing Wire. This site offers expert advice on what’s happening in the U.S. real estate market. It’s a site the offers “open commentary,” meaning there are a lot of different viewpoints expressed.

Zillow.  This guide is an excellent example for anyone looking to take advantage of new technologies in real estate and to stay in the loop on market trends. It has first person how-tos (such as Expert Tips From A House Flipper) and useful tips, such as how to increase a home’s value.

Realtor.  Here you’ll find a directory to many different blogs. The site aggregates blogs from all over its network. Want updates on real estate legislation? Technology? The economy? You’ll find that all here. It’s a must read for gaining a broad understanding of the real estate business.

Miller Samuel Inc. A great feature of this blog is that it includes regular podcasts. If you’re more of an auditory learner (or want something to listen to while you’re driving or working out), this blog should be your go-to. It also provides author Jonathan Miller’s analysis of the commentary presented in other blogs. If you’re interested in getting multiple perspectives on an issue, add this blog to your reading list.

Real Estate Tomato. Last but not least, this is a blog about creating real estate blogs. It isn’t updated all that frequently, but they do have a great cache of useful material if you’re going to incorporate blogging into your marketing strategy as a real estate professional. Anything you want to know about getting started in the world of real estate blogging—it’s here. Check it out if you’re feeling inspired.

Learn more about becoming a real estate agent

Is now a good time to become an agent? Have you been thinking about a career in real estate? Download our free guide, Is a Real Estate Career Right for You?

Please DO Tip And Feed The Movers, If You Feel Like It. Here’s How

One of the most common questions we face, and often one of the most difficult to answer, is whether to and how much to tip and feed the movers. The simplistic answer is that yes, you should tip and feed the movers, but only if you feel like it.

When and how much should you tip the movers?

If you aren’t happy with the movers, then by all means, don’t tip them. If the movers ask you for a tip, complain to their manager. But if you are happy, there are a number of ways you can do it.

One of the simplest and most direct ways of tipping is by the hour. If you are moving locally, odds are you’re paying by the hour anyway. Adding another $5.00 per mover per hour is pretty simple.

If you are moving out of state, though, you won’t have an immediate tally of the hours and common sense might suggest that you should wait to tip until your items are delivered. It’s not quite that clear-cut, though.

It’s rare that the same crew is at both the pick-up and delivery. In the majority of cases, your goods are transferred from a local truck to a semi-truck and then a crew experienced in long-distance moving will transport it.

The toughest part of the job is at the pick-up, so it’s not a bad idea to tip with that in mind. They are the people who wrap your furniture, they do any packing, and that’s all before loading and unloading the truck.

If you aren’t comfortable tracking the hours, you can tip as a percentage of the move (10 percent, perhaps). Just be sure to divide it equitably among the pick-up crew and the delivery crew. 60/40 is a good divide.

What should you feed the movers

While you are under absolutely no obligation to feed the movers, having food for them to eat can make the move go a lot quicker. Pizza and sandwiches are always favorites. Don’t serve food that’s too rich or your movers will be ready to take a nap. As for hydration, sports drinks are the unofficial official drink of movers. Stock up. They will drink more than you think.

Featured image via Steven Depolo/Flickr.

Top 5 Museums to Visit in Tacoma, WA

Want to see a slightly different, and definitely unique side of Tacoma, WA? Take a tour through these museums to get an up-close and personal look at art, historic cars, and more. You just might find out that Tacoma is far more fascinating than you thought. Here are the top 5 museums in Tacoma for you to visit.

1. Tacoma Art Museum

   Lovingly known as the TAM, this art museum has a special focus on artists and themes from the Northwestern United States. The Haub Family Collection of Western American Art gives a feel for expression through the years in many different mediums, an Early American Modernism collection offers a broader look at the nation’s evolving artists, and visitors can also peruse some classic European art and Japanese woodblock prints. Revolving exhibitions also keep the museum’s content fresh for returning visitors. If you’re hoping to find free museums in Tacoma, visit on the third Thursday of the month in the evening for no-cost admission.

2. LeMay – America’s Car Museum

   America has long been obsessed with cars, and the LeMay Car Museum pays homage to what those cars have to say about our history. With exhibits that explore early automobiles, the advent of NASCAR, and the history of Route 66 among other topics, car lovers will find themselves engrossed in both the stories and the cars themselves. The museum regularly hosts educational and entertaining events, and the Family Fun Zone will engage your little not-yet-drivers too.

3. Museum of Glass

   Here you’ll find exactly what the title suggests: glass. The museum is home to glass of many colors, forms, and artistic expressions. Here you can experience live glass blowing with the Artist in Residence program, a kids’ design glass collection, and visiting exhibits from artists around the world. Why not take a walk across the Chihuly Bridge, a pedestrian walkway and majestic piece of art connecting the Museum and downtown Tacoma with multiple installations of glass architecture and form? Interested artists can visit the Hot Shop! to see artists creating in real-time, or for those who want a more hands-on experience, sign up for a class in the education department. Schedules for the coolest glass museum in Tacoma are available on their website.

4. Children’s Museum of Tacoma

   It’s time to play! The Children’s Museum in Tacoma is a well-loved destination for kids and kids at heart. Parents love the “pay as you will” model that creates inclusivity for all families, and kids love the museum’s passion for promoting play. You might utilize the Museum’s Parents Night Out program and send the kids to play and have a pizza dinner at the CMT while the two of you have an evening out to yourselves. Each night is themed, and kids can typically play from 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Engage your little ones in age-appropriate “playscapes” designed to encourage creativity and movement!

5. Job Carr Cabin Museum

   This tiny cabin located in Old Town Tacoma is a striking testament to Tacoma’s humble beginnings. On Christmas Day in 1864, Job Carr claimed 168 acres of land after making the long journey west. Visitors to the cabin can hear Job’s story, as well as tales of the others who came to live in the area as Tacoma slowly grew in the era of railroad expansion. Docents are available to answer questions, and in the warmer months of summer, they offer walking historic tours of downtown Tacoma, WA.

Wouldn’t ya like to frequent these museums? Moving here? Before you book movers, check out our post on the best Tacoma neighborhoods!

MOVING SALE TIPS & TRICKS

It’s approaching moving day, and after weeks and/or months of planning, you’re getting closer to the big moment. But not everything from your old house is going to make the trip with you to your new abode. Whether you’re downsizing, decorating a new space, or trying to minimize moving costs, moving house is a great excuse to get rid of accumulated clutter (and maybe make a few extra bucks!).

Here are some tips for hosting your own moving sale.

INVENTORY AND PRICE

After you choose the items you want to sell along with the date of your sale, make an inventory and price list. Take the time to research what your items should be worth and ask around to see what others would pay for them. On the day of the sale, clearly tag the items with the price, or group them together under a price sign.

PERMIT AND APPROVAL

Check in with your Homeowner's Association or local council to see if you need permission or a permit to host a yard sale. There may be restrictions on location, signs, hours, noise level, and what equipment you use to set up your sale (can you put those posts and tables on that grass lawn?).

RECRUIT SOME HELP

Put the call out to friends and family to help out on the day (manning the float, helping to sell goods). You don’t want to lose customers if they are left waiting for help, and it also pays to have extra sets of eyes to watch over all the items displayed.

Make sure to thank them for volunteering - like pizza for lunch, beverages, and a big hug!

MAKE IT LOOK GOOD

It’s no use going to the effort of putting together a yard sale if the items on sales are dirty, broken or don’t work.

Make sure to clean, fix and test anything that you will be selling. By having items in good condition you are upping the chance that someone will buy them and possibly even increasing the sale price.

Likewise, spend some time cleaning up your yard sale location (mow your lawn, pick up any junk, sweep, clean your garage). You don’t want people to keep driving by if they can’t find the sale items in all the mess (nor will they want to stop by).

GET THE WORD OUT THERE

It’s important to spread the word about your sale by advertising. There are plenty of ways to share information on a grassroots level: advertising in your local paper, online listings like Craigslist or Kijiji, event listings on community portals, or asking local businesses and community groups to display flyers.

If you are putting up flyers or posters make sure you are doing it where permitted. Trynearby Rec centers, community noticeboards, or local cafes.

It’s also useful to decorate (balloons are good!) and display signs on the day, so everyone can easily find your sale.

BE PREPARED

Expect the unexpected. Have bags available in case there are any requests. Collect some tarps to place over your tables if a storm suddenly rolls in, or have tents that you can put up. Make sure you have plenty of smaller bills and coins - not everyone is going to have exact change.

Most importantly, remember to have fun!

It’s approaching moving day, and after weeks and/or months of planning, you’re getting closer to the big moment. But not everything from your old house is going to make the trip with you to your new abode. Whether you’re downsizing, decorating a new space, or trying to minimize moving costs, moving house is a great excuse to get rid of accumulated clutter (and maybe make a few extra bucks!).

Here are some tips for hosting your own moving sale.

INVENTORY AND PRICE

After you choose the items you want to sell along with the date of your sale, make an inventory and price list. Take the time to research what your items should be worth and ask around to see what others would pay for them. On the day of the sale, clearly tag the items with the price, or group them together under a price sign.

PERMIT AND APPROVAL

Check in with your Homeowner's Association or local council to see if you need permission or a permit to host a yard sale. There may be restrictions on location, signs, hours, noise level, and what equipment you use to set up your sale (can you put those posts and tables on that grass lawn?).

RECRUIT SOME HELP

Put the call out to friends and family to help out on the day (manning the float, helping to sell goods). You don’t want to lose customers if they are left waiting for help, and it also pays to have extra sets of eyes to watch over all the items displayed.

Make sure to thank them for volunteering - like pizza for lunch, beverages, and a big hug!

MAKE IT LOOK GOOD

It’s no use going to the effort of putting together a yard sale if the items on sales are dirty, broken or don’t work.

Make sure to clean, fix and test anything that you will be selling. By having items in good condition you are upping the chance that someone will buy them and possibly even increasing the sale price.

Likewise, spend some time cleaning up your yard sale location (mow your lawn, pick up any junk, sweep, clean your garage). You don’t want people to keep driving by if they can’t find the sale items in all the mess (nor will they want to stop by).

GET THE WORD OUT THERE

It’s important to spread the word about your sale by advertising. There are plenty of ways to share information on a grassroots level: advertising in your local paper, online listings like Craigslist or Kijiji, event listings on community portals, or asking local businesses and community groups to display flyers.

If you are putting up flyers or posters make sure you are doing it where permitted. Trynearby Rec centers, community noticeboards, or local cafes.

It’s also useful to decorate (balloons are good!) and display signs on the day, so everyone can easily find your sale.

BE PREPARED

Expect the unexpected. Have bags available in case there are any requests. Collect some tarps to place over your tables if a storm suddenly rolls in, or have tents that you can put up. Make sure you have plenty of smaller bills and coins - not everyone is going to have exact change.

Most importantly, remember to have fun!

Things Not to Do When Hiring Movers to Move Your Home:

If you decided that you don't want to move yourself, finding and hiring good movers is the most important decision you’ll make when moving. And while an internet search offers listings of local and distance movers, getting the right one can be challenging. To help you hire good movers, check out these tips on what you should avoid doing when hiring moving companies.

Not Getting Quotes from at Least Three Movers

No matter where you’re moving from and moving to, you should always have at least three movers on your list of potential hires.

I usually try to get quotes from five moving companies, of which I gather estimates, compare costs and look at other people’s experiences with that company. Doing your research and background checks on each company will ensure you hire a reputable and trustworthy company and avoid a potentially nightmarish move.

Not Having Movers Visit Your Home Before Hiring

When asking for moving estimates from potential movers, you should always have a mover visit your home, to review everything you’re moving to provide a more accurate estimate. It’s also a way to ensure that the mover sees everything you’re moving so that at the end of the move, the inventory they quoted on will match what was moved. I also recommend creating a household inventory list before the movers quote an in-home estimate. Not only will an inventory provide the mover with everything that you’ll be moving, but will also remind you to ask the movers about items that require special handling.

Choosing a Mover Based Only on Price

The least expensive mover might be the best bet. However, you should always make sure you have thoroughly researched the company.

Just remember that if you’re comparing three to five movers, and you find that one mover’s quote is much lower than the others, this could be a sign that the low-cost mover should be avoided.

Rogue moving companies will often try to lure in customers with low costs, special deals and other enticements, such as free services. So before you choose a mover, make sure you also understand what a rogue mover is and how to avoid hiring one.

I also consider where I'm moving to when hiring a mover. If I'm doing a local move that will only take a day, I often go with a smaller local company with a good reputation. Often, they're less expensive than some of the larger moving companies. However, when moving a long distance that takes more than a day or two, I usually go with a larger company with a good reputation.

Know the type of move you're making and what type of mover you need to hire before you decide.

Not Asking the Right Questions

Hiring movers isn’t easy. There are so many details you need to remember to ensure that the movers are reliable and that your stuff will be in good hands. A good, reliable mover should provide you with all the information you need and anticipate questions before you ask. After all, they do this all the time and are the experts when it comes to moving house. But because your move is unique, there may be information the mover doesn't provide that you need to know.

So make sure review this list of questions to ask.

You can also use this list to determine how thorough and transparent the mover is being with you; rogue movers will avoid specific questions and be less clear about fees, insurance and other details you need to know.

Not Knowing if and when You Might be Charged Extra Fees

You should always ask movers about extra costs that might apply to your move. These may include costs such as charges for moving things up and down stairs, not having a close parking space for the moving truck and packing fees for items not properly packed. To save yourself extra fees, find out more about moving charges you might be responsible for.