Meathead Movers & Mini-Storage
… To Protect What’s Worth Keeping
As Meathead Movers enters its 14th year in business, it’s safe to say that owners Evan and Aaron Steed have revolutionized the moving industry. And this year, they’ve set out to revolutionize the storage industry, too. With a winning combination of muscle and hustle, backed by a relentless commitment to hiring and training the best and the brightest—“raised right” says Aaron, “by parents who taught them the value of manners”—the Steed brothers built their fledgling company into the biggest and, more importantly, the busiest moving company on the Central Coast.
Famous for a policy that requires jogging when not carrying, Meathead Movers has won dozens of awards across three counties for everything from #1, Best Of and Favorite moving company to Who’s Who in Leadership and a coveted SLO County Green Award.
This year—to answer the numerous requests from their customers over the years—the Steed brothers purchased 100,000 + square feet of space in San Luis Obispo and went about re-inventing the mini-storage business in the same way they re-invented the moving industry.
“More than just a packing and moving service, our customers have come to depend on us to make solid, reliable recommendations for a full range of moving-related services,” said Aaron. “Things like carpet cleaning, window washing, landscape crews, and yes, reputable storage facilities. Meathead Mini-Storage was the most logical next step in our growth.”
In May of 2010, Meathead Mini-Storage opened its doors at 3600 South Higuera in San Luis Obispo, offering nine different sizes of squeaky clean, safe, sound, and secure storage units in a state-of-the-art facility, run the Meathead way. A quick tour shows off three large-screen surveillance cameras, brightly lit walkways with motion-sensors, a centralized call center, and 24/7 monitoring. There’s even a huge warehouse where some of the area’s largest institutions are in process to signing long-term storage leases. All this, at better than competitive prices.
They’ll also offer a full line of moving and storing products: bubble wrap, blankets, boxes, dish-packs, ropes, and tape guns?as well as all same the “concierge” services that elevate Meathead Movers well above the rest.
“There are so many things to consider when moving into a storage unit,” said Evan. “We can help you decide what size you need, how to pack your things so they don’t get damaged, how best to access items at the back of the unit. Even how to store photos and mattresses safely. It’s all part of what we do.”
“We’re by far the most heavily staffed mini-storage facility across three counties,” said Aaron. “And customers can expect the very same respectful, well-educated, highly-trained young men and women here that they’ve come to rely on with our professional movers.”
Aaron and Evan expect a lot from their employees so it’s important to them that each one feels valued and supported. The new mini-storage facility provides a gym (with ESPN on the big screen), lockers, and several computer-desk stations for the student-athlete staff who monitor the facility around the clock.
“We know that we’re not the end of the line for these students,” Aaron explained. “They’re all working hard toward establishing their own careers eventually; we’re just a stepping stone. So we want this environment to feel like a home away from home.”
Mini-storage is an excellent solution to a variety of storage issues, even if you’re not moving or down-sizing. For example, businesses required to keep years worth of tax and accounting records find mini-storage a much less expensive solution than renting more office space. For college students going home for the summer, who don’t want to trek their belongings all the way home and then all the way back again, mini-storage is a far cheaper alternative than paying three month’s rent for an apartment. Mini-storage is a safe place to keep boats, motorcycles, or RVs. Still in the planning and approval stage, there is also a separate climate-controlled area where wine lovers can store their valuable collections.
What began as way to make extra money while the Steed brothers were still in high school has morphed—with hard work, commitment to a goal, and a finely hone business sense—into the most respected moving company on the Central Coast. Now serving all of California, Meathead Movers has a winning formula that is ready to be franchised across the country.
“As soon as Meathead Mini-Storage is well-established and turning a profit,” said Aaron Steed, “our next step is to start offering franchises to people who want their own Meathead Moving company in other states. That’s definitely a goal.”
With a business model that has always included giving back to their community, the “Meathead way” is bound to catch on. For example, Meathead Movers offers free moving services to women escaping abusive domestic situations in cooperation with Women’s Shelters county-wide. They also support area sports teams and have regularly stepped up to provide trucks and manpower during natural disasters, including the recent Haiti earthquake.
Visit www.meatheadmovers.com to find out more. Or better yet, stop by the new facility at 3600 South Higuera, meet Aaron and Evan Steed, and see for yourself how hustle and muscle, plus manners and heart have made Meathead Movers and Mini-storage the talk of the industry.