Today we’d like to introduce you to Van Gallik
Van, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story might hit close to home for many in the Nashville area, as it begins with that all-too-familiar pursuit of a music career. It was around 2004, and I was a student at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, my hometown, when I got the music bug. My buddies and I put a band together. I thought I’d give it a couple of years. But a couple of years morphed into over a decade of writing, recording, promoting, touring, and basically living for the band. Of course, I picked up a slew of part-time gigs along the way: waiting tables, landscaping, giving music lessons, working retail, sales, construction, and finally in 2011… moving.
Honestly, I kind of just stumbled into the moving business. Answered a Craigslist job ad on a whim (thankfully it wasn’t a scam). I started working for a small, locally-owned moving company run by a guy named Mike. He showed me the ropes, taught me how to be a mover, and eventually encouraged me to start my own business. So, in 2012 that’s exactly what I did, and “Moving Van” was born! I was still hell-bent on making it in the music industry, but being able to book my own moving jobs meant I could pocket more cash in less time. Sounded like the perfect side hustle to me.
Fast-forward to 2019. The band had called it quits, and I threw myself full-throttle into the moving business. Funny thing, looking back, I thought I had it all figured out. Business was booming, my health was solid, and I had a crew of guys who loved working with me. But I was just scratching the surface of what it means to run a business and all the craziness that comes with it.
If there’s one thing I’ve picked up along the way, it’s that there’s always more to learn. My side-hustle moving business that kept me busy? It wasn’t growing in a smart or sustainable way. I found this out the hard way in 2023 when interest rates shot up and the housing market slowed down for the first time since I started moving. It was time to adapt, restructure, and lay the groundwork that should have been there from the start. The past six months have been absolutely nuts, but Moving Van is finally in a position to thrive and grow the right way.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Anyone in the service business can attest to the challenges of finding, and keeping, good help. Early on, that was one of my biggest challenges. More recently I’ve been able to hold on to some fantastic movers for a really long time, and I can’t sing their praises loud enough. It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that without a team of hard-working, trustworthy, charismatic and compassionate individuals, this business would have failed a long time ago.
My biggest struggle, whether in the moving business or in my previous life as a musician, has always been the issue of wearing too many hats. It’s crucial to have a great team of movers, and I still get out on the truck with the guys. But I’m simultaneously in charge of literally everything else – taking calls, giving estimates, booking jobs, dispatching, marketing, social media, web and graphic design, equipment maintenance… I could go on. Thankfully, I’m approaching a point where I can bring in extra help for some of those things.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Moving Van?
Moving Van specializes in residential moving services in the greater Nashville area. Whether that means providing a full-service, comprehensive moving experience, or just supplying some extra muscle for a DIY move – our mission is to be the best movers you’ve ever hired.
Now, I could talk about five-star reviews, or I could talk about work-ethic and affordability. But, what sets Moving Van apart? We listen. We understand. We deliver.
When you call us, you get a real human being. And not just any human being – a local who knows the business inside and out. And because every move is unique, we take the time to really understand the bigger picture while paying attention to the details. You know, one of the reasons I chose to stick with this profession for so long is the satisfaction that comes from actually helping people. Moving is among the most stressful life events that we all go through, and being part of a team that makes these events easier to stomach is truly rewarding.
How do you think about happiness?
Being with family and friends. Simply spending time with the people that I love is where it’s at for me. Well… that and ice cream sandwiches from The Baked Bear in midtown.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.movingvaninc.com
- Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/movingvaninc
- Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/movingvaninc
