THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 21, 1994 TAG: 9409200129
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LORI A. DENNEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
R. DAVID MOORE can tell you who is separated, who has passed away, and how many kids and grandkids are around just by strolling through someone's house.
He's helped pack the divorced, the heartbroken, the excited and the weary.
He's moved families that have ``exchanged'' residences. He's moved someone's girlfriend out on Monday and then back in on Friday. And, he's moved families that were evicted from their homes - helping to pack their stuff right in the front yard.
His business - Two Men and A Truck - has been moving people for almost five years part time and two years full time.
``It's more than just moving people and getting paid for it,'' said Moore, 34. ``We're making friends out there.''
In fact, one of his customers gave the firm its name, affectionately dubbing the business ``two men and a truck.''
Moore, now with three other men and three trucks, made about 500 local moves last year. The company will move anyone, business or resident, to any location in Virginia.
They'll pack and carton items, or they'll just move the property. Moore and his men will also come and pack a truck for a customer, even if it's not their truck and Moore's not transporting the items.
Moore never dreamed he'd be moving people for a living. Five years ago, after earning an associate's degree in computer science, he thought he'd be able to go to a company and ``name my price.''
He was wrong. He had to start at the bottom like everyone else. He got a minimum wage job in computers. He spent four years with that company before he moved on to another more lucrative position at another company. During this time, he moved people on nights and weekends.
After two years, his full-time position ended when the company he worked for was bought out.
``It was kind of ironic how it worked out. The writing was kind of on the wall,'' said Moore. ``Either I had to polish my resume or continue with the moving.''
Moore decided to go with the moving business. Now, he moves people seven days a week.
The moving notion came about when he was attending Tidewater Community College. He and a friend began moving odd things for people on the weekends in their flatbed truck with rails.
Since then, Moore has spent about $20,000 on each of his three used U-haul trucks. He has also bought out another local mover - Able Movers. Moore bought only the company's name and has a separate phone number and business license for each company.
The employees of Two Men and A Truck are also the employees of Able Movers and they share the same trucks.
Moore is particular when it comes to moving. Uniformity is the most important thing, he says.
To him there are certain ways to fold the 50 blankets in each truck, certain ways to wrap and stack furniture and a talent to packing a truck.
``If we all fold blankets the same way, it creates organization,'' said Moore, a Point of View resident and South Carolina native. ``This way, I think it eliminates damages and everyone's going to work the same.''
Although he's the owner, Moore refuses to take credit for the company's success. He passes credit on to his employees - Marc Schilling, John Fazekas and Mike Burke.
``If I ever become wealthy I don't want to be up there by myself. I want the guys up there with me,'' Moore said. ``I stress the importance of a team. I can't be a one-man show.''
The work isn't easy. ``Certainly moving isn't for everybody. It's hard work. It's nothing you can do when you're 40, 45 or 50 years old,'' Moore said. ``But I don't want to find myself doing paperwork. I'd rather be out there being a salesman and spokesman for my company.''
Moore has aspirations of being ``as big as North American someday.''
Price is determined by the number of items to be packed or moved. Transporting a 20-foot truck full of furniture costs about $300. Of course, other obstacles, like stairs, have a play in the price, too.
He estimates his business is 75 percent referrals from other customers. The business has grown 20 to 25 percent every year since Moore began part-time five years ago.
He opened an office on Shell Road 2 1/2 years ago so he'd have somewhere to park his trucks. MEMO: Two Men and A Truck can be reached at 479-3963. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS
R. David Moore, left, owner of Two Men and A Truck moving company,
refuses to take credit for the company's success. He passes credit
on to his employees - John Fazekas, center; Marc Schilling, right;
and Mike Burke, not pictured. The growing company also now actually
has three trucks.
by CNB