Introduction to NASMM

It was 2016. I had a group of friends over for a dinner party as I was preparing to leave my job and leave the area. One of my friends asked, “If you could do anything what would you do?” I answered, “I think I would like to move people.” We had moved my parents from their home with 67 years of accumulation and then cleared out our home of 24 years for a move across the country and were about to move within the state of Florida. I found moving exhilarating, empowering, and wanted to share that feeling with others. My friend went on to tell us that her aunt had a company come in to help pack her up, move her and unpack her and it was a wonderful experience. She didn’t know much about the company so the next morning I googled, “helping people move” and I somehow landed on the website for the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM).

As I read the website, I learned that the association exists to simplify the moving process for those in transition and the focus at that time was primarily seniors. NASMM offered an introduction to the industry, and I watched the video and was astounded by all that senior move managers do.

The first Conference I attended was in Indianapolis and I was given a buddy who introduced me to others working in the field. I attended classes on ethics, pricing, accounting, and marketing. It was like being back in college, but all the classes were relevant to something I was creating so I soaked it up. I met others just starting out like me and some who were founders of the industry 20 years in. Everyone was so helpful and welcoming. These were my people. But truth be told, it was a little intimidating. So many made it look so easy but there was so much to it. Could I do this? I had doubts when watching the enormity of it.

When I returned to Florida, I scheduled a time to shadow a few other companies and I saw the work in action. Watching it all come together: meeting for the consultation, creating the estimate, scheduling the packing, getting the supplies, arranging the mover, packing, coordinating the move day, working to arrange for clear out of the space post move with charities and consignment stores, and of course, the unpacking and settling. The entire process was like an orchestra with everyone doing what they do best for a magical and seamless crescendo. I was energized and felt confident that it was something I could do. Quickly, I found a few assignments and hired a few team members to work with me, gathered supplies in my Pilot and had t-shirts printed with our logo. I met with marketing directors and the jobs came dribbling in. This work is not for the faint of heart. It is exhausting but so very gratifying.

I stayed in touch with friends met at NASMM conference, asked a lot of questions, and hired the team members of a colleague who was retiring. She so kindly introduced me to her contacts in the community and my company catapulted with her seasoned staff and doors she opened to me across the area. Her company was A+ accredited, the highest level of professional achievement through NASMM, And she encouraged me to strive to do the same. With her encouragement, in 2020, our Company did meet the A+ requirements and became the only NASMM A+ accredited companies in the Tampa Bay Area.