Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Justin Hand. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Justin , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

Back in 2006 my son and I went to a car dealership and the plan was to buy this brand new blue pickup truck. Unfortunately, I couldn’t afford it! Fortunately, they had a brand new red pickup truck with no bells or whistles! My son named the truck James, after his favorite Thomas the Train character. When I started working for myself, I quickly learned the advantage of branding your company. I started out with different variations of a guy and his truck, but the “red truck” stuck out from the rest. The customers would call and ask if I was the guy with the little red truck. My folks surprised me for Christmas with magnets to advertise the business. I may have waited longer than some to upgrade to a box truck…I was determined to find a red truck! I settled for a white box truck, but I was constantly on the look-out for a red one! I found one a year later. Right time, right town and good branding. Over the last 4 years, I’ve purchased red flannels for our fall/winter moves, and red compression shirts for our spring/summer moves. Always keeping my eye on promoting the brand. Sometimes when I look back, I wonder what if I could’ve afforded the blue truck instead!?

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I got tired of seeing my ideas ignored at a company. I didn’t want to help someone else’s company grow. I started my own business, so I could be my own boss.

I’m proud that I can support these musicians and actors as they work toward the next/better chapter of their careers.
This is just a steppingstone to where these young men ultimately will reach. I want to hear them on the radio, see them on TV and sit in a theatre and marvel at their performance.

We are a tight-knit crew and we don’t make excuses. The turnover rate in moving is high, it’s hard work. And in the summer months, it’s brutal work! It can be dangerous in the box truck. Add about 10 degrees to whatever temperature it is outside!

We love that customers provide refreshments or snacks on moves. But we usually will decline the customer ordering lunch. I usually takes the guys to lunch on half or full days. This started several years ago, but now is a tradition. At lunch we can talk about any subject, and we have! We can discuss what was successful on the move, how we can approve. And there is nothing more church for me, than sitting with my crew and hearing stories, discussing sports, or debating issues.

We have years of experience working together as a crew. When we move a customer, they can feel that in the way we communicate to each other verbally and non-verbally. We just have a sixth sense for how to approach each move. And because we’re artists, we constantly strive to better ourselves and the service we provide.

Eleven years since my first red pickup truck move, I can see the end of my chapter, more than I can see the beginning. This is young man’s work! But I’ve never been successful in the traditional work environment, so I’ll keep carrying on…or boxes…or furniture until my body says stop! And then I’ll take a Ibuprofen and go a little longer!

Any advice for managing a team?

You know the old adage about you’re only as good as the company you keep? It’s true! You have to be a good judge of character to have a successful team. When you’re running a small company, you have to trust your gut instincts, and you have to surround yourself with people who want your company to succeed.

Create a community:
We have a group text where I post details on moves.
Over the years, the group text has become a social outlet. a way for the entire crew to stay in touch. If someone is having a party, if someone has big news, if someone needs someone to cover. It’s a simple, but integral part of our success.

Share and Appreciate milestones:
I keep a tally on how many moves each crew member has completed.
When they hit certain numbers, I may reward them with praise. When someone hits a milestone, I will post that to our company group text. Each year, I like to acknowledge the anniversary of each crew member’s start date.

Bonuses are a great way to motivate your team.
Seasonal bonuses are great, but try an unexpected bonus.
It doesn’t have to be monetary. During Covid, my wife and I made the decision to pay our crew to stay home. When we returned to work, the crew knew that we had their backs. That builds loyalty.
Last year, we had a company photo shoot, lunch and then wrapped the day at the spa! Can you imagine: a group of movers getting massages and facials!

I addressed this earlier, but FEED YOUR TEAM.
At an office job, typically lunch is 3-4 hours after you clock in, and in that duration, you may even have a few snacks.
Movers are constantly in motion. We are moving! Up and down stairs, up and down driveways, in and out of the box truck.
When I started, I would work 6-8 hours and not even think about eating. What I didn’t realize was I was depleted and couldn’t provide the service I would if I had taken lunch.
Imagine if every company, especially the mega ones like Amazon, Walmart, Google, provided free lunch to their employees? Sharing a meal together is one of the most intimate things we can do with our co-workers. It fosters community, trust and a deeper understanding of each other.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Provide a memorable service. That’s the key. Since I don’t make it a priority to advertise, repeats and referrals drive our business. I’m not savvy on social media beyond the monthly Instagram/Facebook post. What I have learned is that if you make the customer feel comfortable and safe, everything else comes easy. Not only does the move flow, but the customer will share their experience. Reviews are great, but word of mouth is gold.

Contact Info:

• Website: meandmyredtruck.com
• Instagram: meandmyred
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeAndMyRedTruck