Q 1. Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
Ans: East Side Movers is a trusted commercial and residential moving company proudly serving the five boroughs of New York, as well as Long Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Based in Mount Vernon, New York, we have been family-owned and operated since 1945. For nearly eight decades, our team has provided comprehensive moving services that go beyond just getting from point A to point B. From storage and installation to liquidation, East Side Movers delivers reliable, full-service solutions tailored to the unique needs of each client.
Q 2. Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Ans: For more than 80 years, East Side Movers has proudly remained a family-owned and operated business under the Guagliardo family. Today, we are in our third generation of leadership as Nicholas transitions the business to his son, Joel. Joel brings fresh energy and vision to the company, backed by a degree in Business Administration from Iona College.
This seamless passing of the torch reflects our commitment to both honoring our long-standing traditions and embracing the future with innovation and dedication.
Q 3. What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Ans: East Side Movers was founded by Nicholas’s father in the years following World War II, right as the baby boom created a surge in demand for moving and storage services. What began as a small, local operation quickly grew to meet the needs of a rapidly expanding region. Under Nicholas’s leadership, the company expanded significantly with the purchase of multiple warehouse properties, allowing us to offer secure, climate-controlled storage solutions, including specialized record storage. Now, under Joel’s leadership, East Side Movers, traditionally focused on commercial clients, partnered with a residential moving company to expand our market share, reduce expenses, and grow both our workforce and fleet, enabling sustainable scaling.
This blend of tradition and forward-thinking investment has kept East Side Movers strong.
Q 4. What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Ans: Build trust first. A business can only grow if people believe in you. Be reliable, stand by your word, and deliver on promises—reputation is everything. Second, think long-term. Don’t just focus on today’s profit. Invest in relationships, staff, and infrastructure that will keep your business thriving for decades, not just years. Embrace change while honoring tradition. Every generation brings new tools, ideas, and challenges. Stay open to innovation, but never lose sight of the values that built your foundation.
Q 5. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Leadership is at the heart of every successful business. Inspiring confidence, setting a clear direction, and building a strong team are essential to long-term growth.
Vision is equally important. An entrepreneur must be able to see beyond the day-to-day, identifying opportunities for innovation while staying true to the company’s core values.
Finally, adaptability and perseverance go hand in hand. Challenges are inevitable, but success comes from staying flexible, adjusting to change, and pushing forward with determination even in difficult times.
Q 6. How many hours do you work a day on average?
Ans: Running a family-owned business means the workday doesn’t always follow a set schedule. On average, we put in 8–10 hours a day, but the reality is that the responsibility extends beyond the clock. Whether it’s managing crews, speaking with clients, or planning for the future, the business is always on our minds. That commitment is what has allowed East Side Movers to thrive for more than 80 years.
Q 7. To what do you most attribute your success?
Ans: Our success comes down to a combination of family values, hard work, and a commitment to our customers. For three generations, we’ve built East Side Movers on trust—doing the job right, treating people fairly, and standing behind our word. Just as important is our team. We are fortunate to have dedicated employees who take pride in their work and care for our clients as much as we do. That combination of tradition, integrity, and people is what has carried us forward.
Q 8. How do you go about marketing your business?
Ans: What has been your most successful form of marketing? Much of our success has come from word-of-mouth and repeat customers. When you’ve been in business as long as we have, reputation becomes your strongest form of marketing. We’ve built trust by providing reliable service, and that naturally leads to referrals from satisfied clients.
In addition, we’ve embraced modern channels—such as digital advertising, business networking groups, and community partnerships—to expand our reach and connect with new customers. But at the end of the day, our most successful form of marketing has always been the experience we deliver. A move done well speaks loudly.
Q 9. Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
Ans: East Side Movers was started with family capital at the end of World War II, when Nicholas’s father first opened the business. Since then, growth has come from reinvesting directly back into the company rather than relying on outside investors. Each generation has built on the foundation laid before it—expanding services, purchasing warehouse space, and modernizing equipment—all funded through the success of the business itself.
Q 10. What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Ans: The best way to achieve long-term success is to stay true to your values while adapting to change. Build your business on a foundation of trust, integrity, and consistency, because reputation is something that carries you through generations. At the same time, be willing to evolve—whether that means adopting new technology, expanding services, or meeting the changing needs of customers. Success over the long haul comes from balancing tradition with innovation and never losing sight of the people you serve.
Q 11. Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Ans: We expect advances in AI to play a role in planning and logistics, helping us streamline moves and better anticipate customer needs. Looking even further ahead, robotics may become part of the moving industry, and we intend to be ready to adapt when the time comes. Through it all, we’ll remain true to what has kept us successful for more than 80 years: being a family-run business that delivers trustworthy, reliable service while evolving with the times.
Q 12. Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Ans: One company we all might admire is NVIDIA. They’ve not only become a leader in advanced graphics and computing, but they’ve also positioned themselves at the forefront of artificial intelligence and innovation. What’s most impressive is their ability to continually reinvent themselves—expanding from gaming into AI, data centers, and autonomous systems—while setting the pace for an entire industry. At East Side Movers, we can appreciate that vision and adaptability. While our field is very different, the principle is the same: long-term success comes from staying ahead of change while delivering real value to the people you serve.
Q 13. How important have good employees been to your success?
Ans: Good employees have been absolutely essential to our success. A moving company is only as strong as the people on the front lines, from our crews handling every move to the staff coordinating logistics behind the scenes. That’s why we invest in thorough background checks and comprehensive training, ensuring every team member meets our high standards of reliability, professionalism, and safety.
Q 14. How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Ans: Generally, we stick with an idea as long as it shows potential and aligns with our values, putting in the necessary time and resources to see it through. However, we also recognize the importance of adaptability—if an idea isn’t working despite sustained effort, we’re willing to pivot or refine it rather than abandon it outright.
Q 15. What motivates you?
Ans: What motivates me most is learning and personal growth. I’m driven by opportunities to expand my skills, tackle new challenges, and continuously improve both myself and the business. Being part of East Side Movers allows me to grow alongside the company—finding better ways to serve our clients, exploring innovations, and helping our team succeed. That constant pursuit of knowledge and improvement keeps me energized every day.
Q 16. What are your ideals?
Ans: My ideals are centered on integrity, hard work, and continuous growth. I believe in doing the right thing, even when it’s not the easiest path, and in putting genuine effort into everything I do. At East Side Movers, these ideals guide how we treat our clients, support our team, and ensure the business thrives for future generations.
Q 17. How do you generate new ideas?
Ans: Staying curious and constantly learning. I pay attention to trends in the industry, listen to feedback from clients and employees, and look for opportunities to improve processes or services. Travel, reading, and exploring new technologies also spark inspiration.
Q 18. How do you define success?
Ans: I define success as a combination of personal growth, meaningful relationships, and making a positive impact through your work. It’s not just about financial results or business metrics—it’s about continuously learning, overcoming challenges, and helping others along the way.
Q 19. How do you build a successful customer base?
Ans: Trust and delivering consistently excellent service. For us, word-of-mouth and referrals have been key, because satisfied clients naturally share their experiences with friends, family, and colleagues. We also focus on clear communication, reliability, and attention to detail in every move, ensuring each client feels valued and confident in our work.
Q 20. What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Ans: The opportunity to create and shape something meaningful while building a team of talented, dedicated people. I enjoy solving problems, making decisions that impact the business and our clients, and finding new ways to grow and improve. Being able to hire and develop good people, see them thrive, and watch the team succeed together is incredibly rewarding.
Q 21. What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Ans: Watching our team grow and succeed—knowing that the culture and training we’ve built allow our employees to take pride in their work.
Q 22. What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Ans: I feel the major difference is the ability to take risks. Entrepreneurs and employees alike may have vision, leadership skills, a love for problem-solving, and a knack for strategy. But not everyone is in a position—or willing—to take the risks necessary to build and grow a business. That willingness to step into uncertainty, make bold decisions, and take responsibility for the outcomes is what truly sets entrepreneurs apart.
Q 23. What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
Ans: At East Side Movers, we’ve cultivated a culture of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork. We prioritize trust, reliability, and respect—not only toward our clients, but also within our team. This culture was intentionally established through clear expectations, thorough training, and careful hiring, including background checks to ensure we bring in people who share our values. Over three generations, maintaining this culture has been essential to building a loyal, motivated team and delivering the high-quality service that has kept us thriving.
Q 24. In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Ans: Rewarding.
Company Detail:
Company : East Side Movers
Contact : Bryan Reilly
Address : 525 South 4th Avenue
City : Mt. Vernon
State : NY
Zip : 10550
Country : USA
Phone : 914-699-1122
Email : sales@moveesm.com