If I had a dollar every time someone told me they wish they’d known about my business when they were moving a parent or a loved one, I’d be a wealthy woman!
Twenty-one years ago I was living in Jacksonville, Florida working as a Realtor and absolutely miserable. A cancer diagnosis had me re-examine my life and I realized I wanted to do something that would make a difference. I didn’t know what “it” was but I knew it wasn’t real estate. Fast forward another eight years when I discovered senior move management and the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) who were coincidentally hosting their conference in my new backyard, San Diego. I attended the conference on a fact finding mission and a light bulb went off. THIS was work I was meant for and I would be making a difference. I attended the conference with a friend, planning to go into business together and with the intention of part time work around my husband’s schedule.
By next year’s conference, I was newly separated and the partnership didn’t work out. I also hadn’t managed to get a client. The conference was affirming in so many ways. I learned more about the industry and most importantly, I met a few people who were encouraging, offering to help me if I had questions and giving me the confidence to keep moving forward. Now, I just needed to figure out how to use what I learned to get clients and structure the business.
Somewhere in those early years, I looked at the President of the association and thought, I want to do that!! I loved our industry. I loved the people. I loved learning all that I could to make sure we were best serving our clients’ needs. One of the most affirming, validating experiences is to be at a conference filled with NASMM members who are caring, warm, entrepreneurs like me. NASMM has always felt like “home.”
The first couple of years were a struggle. Because I was going through a divorce, there were no good options for me to borrow money. I didn’t plan to start the business, lose a partner and go through a divorce simultaneously all while raising three young children ages six-13. I borrowed money from my daughter’s bat mitzvah fund, my former mother-in-law and used credit cards.
When I got to the four year mark in business, I decided it was going to be the “make or break” year for me. At the end of the NASMM conference when they announced the next year’s conference location in my hometown of Jacksonville, Florida, I took it as a G-d wink.
Today, as we embark on our 25th year as an industry, I am excited to step into the role as NASMM’s President. I am eager to be part of shaping the future, supporting my fellow NASMM members the way I was supported and most importantly, I am ready to let the world know that Senior and Specialty Move Management is something everyone should know about.
Moving is considered one of life’s biggest stressors and for people who are facing a big life transition like a senior who’s lived in their home for 40+ years and has to make decisions about a lifetime of belongings – what will stay and what will go; or divorcing clients who must divide belongings and move all while navigating legalities and emotions; a busy professional who doesn’t have the time or bandwidth for a move or a family with a special needs child who thrives on routine. Senior and Specialty Move Managers walk the journey with our clients.
These moves are so much more than putting stuff in boxes and there are many people out there calling themselves “senior movers.” Members of NASMM subscribe to a code of ethics, maintain proper insurance and for those who are certified or accredited, there’s an added layer of requirement to earn this designation.
Years ago, no one ever thought to hire a “cleaning person” to help with housekeeping and now, I can barely think of anyone who doesn’t know this is a possibility or hasn’t hired someone at some point in their lives.
My goal is the same for NASMM. I want everyone to know there is such a thing as senior and specialty move management.
Our society is burned out and overworked. I want everyone to be able to save their vacation days and paid time off for restoration and connection and be able to trust that their move can be handled by professionals they can trust.
Each member of NASMM is independently owned and operated and each runs their businesses differently however there are key requirements to be able to use the “Senior Move Management” title.
If you’d like to find a move manager in your area, visit www.NASMM.org. Companies with A+ accreditation represent about 10% of the industry.