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This unique enterprise, founded by two high-school brothers, has taken the simple philosophy of superior customer service and parlayed it into a thriving and growing company that has changed the way many people perceive the household moving and storage industry.
Beginning
Aaron and Evan Steed started Meathead Movers in 1997, when Aaron was a high school junior and Evan a freshman. Because of their school and athletic commitments, the two were having difficulties finding part-time work that fit around their busy schedules. One day the brothers helped a friend's parents to move. This led to some immediate word of mouth about their labor service. The customary fee back then was usually $20.00 and pizza for a day’s labor. The Steeds enjoyed the workout of moving, but they also enjoyed the gratitude they received from their clients after a job well done. So began the journey of Meathead Movers.
They posted flyers with tear-off strips holding Aaron's pager number and soon began getting some response to their flyers that they printed in high school computer class. Aaron would usually get paged during school class time and would return the calls between classes from the school pay phone. "I didn't even have a driver's license yet, so we had to beg friends or clients for rides to our first moving jobs," he recalls. "We got paid whatever our customers thought we were worth. We tried to earn tips by being extra polite, careful, and helpful."
Aaron and Evan enlisted athletic friends to help with the jobs, and the Meathead Movers started building a reputation as hard-working, polite, careful, and honest young men. The name Meathead originally began as a joke, based on the nickname bestowed upon athletes working out in the high school weight room, but the guiding principles and goals of the Steed brothers were never a joking matter. "We wanted to defy the stereotype of the dumb jock moving furniture and show that we could establish a high-quality, client-oriented business," explains Evan.
And defy the stereotype they did. Their methods were greatly influenced by their backgrounds as dedicated athletes: Aaron as a 2 time California state finalist wrestler and National Team Member and Evan as a top-notch high school football player. In Aaron's words, "In wrestling you are constantly working harder to achieve new levels. You become physically and mentally stronger, and this gives you the courage to face obstacles and take on challenges you've never encountered before."
Some people told the Steeds that they doubted they could make the transition from labor service to full-fledged business. But the brothers' vision of young and energetic student athletes delivering a unique customer service experience kept them relentlessly striving to make it happen. Soon their fledgling enterprise was fielding as many moving jobs as they could possibly handle, and Meathead Movers, Inc. became a full-time occupation for both brothers.
Success
Aaron and Evan continue to base their management style on a coaching philosophy of encouraging excellence in every member of the growing Meathead team. Each employee is required to maintain a positive attitude, recognize the shared objectives of all Meathead associates, and, most of all, be accountable for their own excellence. Each Meathead must memorize the company's mission statement and take a test to insure that they understand the history and business philosophy, in addition to adhering to a strict dress and conduct code and completing rigorous in-house training to fulfill OSHA safety requirements. Meathead Movers is proud to consistently attract a certain type of employee who has high standards for himself and the work that he produces.
All applicants for Meathead Movers are interviewed multiple times, background checks are conducted, and references are thoroughly screened before any Meathead is officially hired. Upon being hired, each Meathead is paid to observe fellow workers on the job before they are allowed to perform any moving services. In addition, all employees are taught to be intensely aware of each customer's needs and to maximize efficiency in an attempt to save the client time and money. When not carrying items, for example, it is policy for the Meatheads to jog when not carrying any items and since all moving companies charge by the hourly rates, Meathead has been known to save our customers time and money.
Aaron Steed sums up the qualities of a Meathead associate as follows: "The typical Meathead is a strong, moral, bad-ass mama's boy." And, he adds, "That's how it's going to stay." The unique and sustainable business model of Meathead Movers led the Steed Brothers to win the prestigious U.S. Small Business Administration's "Young Entrepreneurs Of The Year" and to be featured in Forbes.
Expansion
Along with the tremendous expansion of the Meathead workforce since 1997, an equally impressive increase in business volume and variety of services offered evolved. The company now handles approximately 4,000 moves per year, making it the largest independent moving company in California and local mover in Central and Southern California.
In 2004, Meathead Movers consolidated their operations and administrative office to the custom-designed 11,000 sq/ft facility in San Luis Obispo, CA.
In 2005, Meathead Movers opened a 2,500 sq/ft branch office in Santa Barbara County.
In 2007, Meathead Movers opened a 5,700sq/ft branch office in Southern California, which enables Meathead Movers to service local moving jobs from the most northern point of San Luis Obispo County to the most southern point of Orange County.
In 2010, the Steed Brothers developed the 6 acre property at 3600 S. Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo and built an 117,000 sqft state-of the art storage facility and company headquarters.
In 2011, Meathead Movers opened a sales and marketing office in Los Angeles, CA and launched Princess Packers.
No matter how much Meathead Movers grows, each branch office will continue to make it a priority to give something back to the community. Meathead Movers is proud to regularly donate 100% of their services to women in abusive domestic situations through the Women's Shelter in every local service region Meathead Movers is in. "We feel good about being in a position to help others in our community, especially those in real need," says Evan.
Referrals
Probably the best testament to the impressive journey of Meathead Movers from a part-time side job for two high school kids to the well-regarded enterprise they are today is the fact that over 85% of the company's business derives from word of mouth and repeat customers. Many clients report that their experience with Meathead changed their perceptions about household movers in general; a good example is a testimonial written by Jane Helloran, who states, "Moving is never fun. I've used your staff twice in the last 4 months, and both situations have been as close to fun as possible. I hope I never move again, but if so, you'll be my choice. Congratulations - you understand the meaning of customer service."
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