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Moving your small business can be a challenging experience. However, if you’re going through relocation or will soon be relocating, there are many things you can do to jump-start your business in your new community. Below are several ways to establish a customer base in a new town.

1. Get to Know Businesses in Your Community

You’ll face many challenges as a business person. Getting to know other business people in your new community will help you identify the challenges specific to your new area and also allow you to ask other business people what they do to manage those challenges.

To meet other business people, start by visiting businesses in the area and introducing yourself. Leave your card. Let business people know you’re new in town and would love to talk over coffee.

2. Join Organizations That Support Small Businesses

Join your local Chamber of Commerce or another organization in your area designed to support small businesses. If you’re unsure which organizations exist in your new area, inquire at your local city hall or search the Internet. Getting involved in organizations that support small businesses can help you meet local business people while advocating for your business.

3. Get Active on Social Media

Create a social media presence for your business and get involved with community social media pages. Getting active on social media alerts people in your area that your business is in town. Doing this can help generate customer interest and activity.

Social media is also another good way to meet other business people and learn more about your client base. You’ll learn about their preferences and priorities by seeing what people say on social media. This can help you make wise business decisions as you set up shop.

4. Know Your Customers

Whether selling a product in a retail location or running a restaurant, engaging with your clientele is essential. Start by reading about your new community to get to know your customers. Know the demographic information, the most significant local employers, average income, and other statistics.

Consider setting up focus groups or meet and greet opportunities. At these events, you’ll meet customers, find out what they care about, and learn more about how your business can meet their needs.

5. Advertise Discounts and Specials

People love a good deal! So, as soon as your small business opens, advertise for discounts and specials to drive customers in. For example, if your business is a restaurant, offer a free dessert for all dinner customers in the first month you’re open. Also, consider 15% off the “grand opening” sale for the first two weeks if your business is a pet store.

Focus on Your Business – Hire Professional Movers

Your business needs your attention in this new environment. So don’t fret about your relocation; hire professional movers to make your move more manageable and less stressful. Contact us today for a quote.

If you are organizing a household move, you need to beware of an outbreak of a returning outdoor pest that can seriously threaten hardwood trees if you aren’t careful—the spongy moth and its eggs.

These pesky insects are one of the most destructive tree and shrub pests ever introduced into the United States. The spongy moth has defoliated millions of trees, particularly in the Northeast, but is now spreading to more areas of the country.

Previously known as gypsy moths, this species was recently renamed the spongy moth by the Entomological Society of America (ESOA) for their egg masses, which look like sponges. If you aren’t extra careful, you can accidentally transport these pests to your new area when you relocate if you don’t inspect your outdoor belongings before you move.

Spongy moths can defoliate trees quickly and extensively and pose a significant threat to hardwood trees like oak and birch. Therefore, it’s essential to learn about spongy moths, their eggs, how to spot them, and how to manage them so that you don’t risk transporting them from your old home to your new one. In addition, since the eggs can cling to your outdoor furniture, vehicles, equipment, etc., you must learn how to handle them and remove them before loading your moving truck. 

Dealing With Spongy Moths

These moths deposit their eggs in the summer, and the larvae emerge the following spring.

Before loading them into your moving truck or container, you must thoroughly inspect all the outdoor items you plan to move. Pay particular attention to your patio furniture, camping equipment, lawn equipment, grill, bicycles, and other sports equipment like soccer nets. 

Also, check for spongy moths in all their stages, from egg to adult. Here are some things to help:

• Egg-mass appears sponge-like.
• Caterpillars have large dark eye spots, blue dots behind their heads, and six pairs of raised red dots along their backs.
• Female moths are white and have black or brown V-shape designations, and the egg masses are brown and appear sponge-like.
• Male moths are mottled brown and gray with feathery antennae.

Remove and destroy any bugs or eggs from your belongings. Use a putty knife or stiff brush to scrape them off surfaces. Then place the eggs in a container of hot, soapy water. Or, you can seal them in a plastic bag and then put them in the sun.

Before you move, you must remove all life stages of this destructive spongy moth. In addition, you want to protect your new neighborhood from this invasive pest since it has the potential to attack 300 different kinds of trees and shrubs.

Create your own checklist of items you need to inspect on moving day, or for your convenience, visit and use the USDA’s pre-prepared spongy moth checklist.

Babies are bundles of joy, but they are also lots of work. If you’re relocating with a new baby, there are many things you can do to make your relocation smooth. These tips can make your relocation easier overall. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Make a Box or Bag of Baby Essentials

First, create a list of the necessary items you need for your baby. The list should include diapers, baby food, bottles, formula, extra clothes, toys, and other must-have items for your baby during this transition. Since you will be using these essential items right up until the time you depart, you will need to plan to pack the box shortly before you leave.

You may even need several boxes or bags of these baby essentials, depending on the details of your particular household relocation.

If you’re packing things into a box, be sure to label the box and keep that box separate from the other moving cartons. You don’t want to lose track of the box and find yourself unable to find the baby things you need!

2. Research Pediatricians Before You Get There

Find a pediatrician before you get to your new home to ensure that your baby is protected and will have proper medical care if needed. If your baby gets sick or needs help from a doctor shortly after your relocation, you could feel panicky as you search for a doctor. Establish contact with that new pediatrician to find out what you need to do to become a verified patient.

3. Secure Help with Trusted Caregivers

Do you need someone to watch your baby while you pack or when the movers come to move the boxes? If so, get help from someone you trust. This may be a babysitter, a friend, or even a relative. Getting help from someone you trust will give you peace of mind knowing that your baby is being well cared for while you relocate.

4. Have a Baby Proofing Plan

Baby proofing your new home will help make your new house safe for your little one. You may need to buy new babyproofing items for your new home. If this is the case, purchase them before you move so that you can get them set up in your new home as soon as you arrive.

5. Unpack the Nursery First

Prioritize setting up the nursery first upon your arrival. This way, you have a place to change your baby, and they have room to nap and sleep on the first night in your new house. Configure your baby’s room as close to their previous nursery as possible. The familiarity might help you and comfort your baby during the transition.

6. Work With Professional Movers

Hire professional movers to assist you with all the heavy lifting on your moving day. Let the movers handle the challenging and overwhelming logistics so you can focus on your baby.

Hire movers to handle your relocation. To get started with your upcoming move, hire the pros. Contact us today.

In the weeks and days leading up to a move, the chances are you’ll have a lot of food to eat up or clear out. Emptying your pantry makes for a lighter relocation, saves money on takeout, and reduces food waste. Here are a few tips for clearing out your pantry before your household move.

1. Check Expiration Dates

First, check expiration dates and discard any food items that have exceeded their date stamp. Next, choose non-expired food you will probably not plan to eat and consider donating these items to a local food bank. Finally, you can use any unexpired food to help plan meals for when you’re still living in your home.

2. Take Inventory of Food You Have

You can make excellent healthy, and well-rounded meals using these main staples along with any fresh veggies or proteins you have in your refrigerator:

• Dried beans
• Pasta
• Rice
• Canned tomatoes and gravies

You can use canned soup, cereals, oatmeal, and any sauces or condiments with the above staples in a pinch or combine them with proteins you have on hand.

3. Avoid Buying New Food

While it’s likely that you’ll have a few grocery runs during the weeks leading up to your move, try to focus more on using up what you’ve already got. Plan meals using these foods instead – plug in your ingredients into an online search engine designed for no waste when it comes to food, and come up with creative new meal ideas. Then, if you’re short an ingredient or two, when you go shopping, stick to your list to ensure you don’t overbuy.

4. Carefully Pack Foods You Don’t Finish

Dry goods are very move-friendly. You can safely move foods like dry pasta, cereals, grains, herbs, condiments, and baking ingredients, even if the packages are open — as long as you seal the open containers with tape.

Other preventative steps include using resealable plastic bags around items that might leak or spill. For example, flour and sugar can be messy, so after you tape the container closed, place them in a plastic bag for added protection. Then place them in the moving carton. Lastly, label each food box so it is highlighted and can be stored accordingly during transport.

5. Discard What You Can’t Eat

Discard any remaining items in the end that are either half-used or otherwise unable to be transported or donated. Reduce waste by recycling cans, boxes, or glass once you empty the last of your pantry.

We Can Help Make Your Move Easy!

With good planning, you can reduce your pantry stuff significantly by the time you move. The above steps will help you reduce food waste, help others in need through donations, and provide tasty easy-to-make meals in the remaining days before your move.

Are you interested in a free quote? Contact us today. We’re happy to answer any questions or provide information about the additional moving services we offer.

If done correctly, relocating or expanding your business to a new place can increase your revenues and profitability. However, it also requires some adjustment. Here are things to consider when relocating or expanding your company.

1. Site Selection

When selecting your new company location, consider why you are moving or expanding. For example, is one of your goals to move closer to potential or current customers? Or, are you seeking to locate operations in a lower-cost city? Your goals will guide you toward an initial list of potential cities.

Before you make a final choice, ask other business owners what they think of the location. Also, check if local organizations or governments provide relocation assistance, such as tax incentives, training grants, and site development help.

2. Market Research

Research the demographics, competitive landscape, and needs in the prospective location to ensure your product or service has a niche there. Also, understand consumer habits in the region before making a move. Your lender will want to ensure you’ve completed this research step if you need financing.

3. Financing

Often, a business expansion requires financing either through a loan or the equity of the current or additional owners. Before the move, consider which of these options will work best for you and take steps to put your financing in place.

4. Ecosystem Support

If you are trying to break into a new market, you’ll want as much support as possible. Consider who in your network knows people within the new ecosystem and ask them to help you create relationships in the new location.

5. Cost

Cost is a critical factor in every business decision, including locations. Cost affects you in several ways. The first is the rent, taxes, and utilities you’ll pay for the new space. The second is the cost of living for employees. If you’re moving from an inexpensive region of the country to a more expensive one, you’ll need to pay much higher wages to convince employees to work for you in the new location.

If you want to expand to an area with a small budget, consider the minimum viable expansion option to achieve your goals. For example, you may not necessarily need to open a large office at first. Perhaps you can start with a smaller space and one or two employees to test the market before committing to a more extensive operation.

6. Culture and Customs

Cities have different cultures. Some regions, for example, are more casual about appropriate dress or time schedules, while others are more formal. Employees also differ in their expectations of employers based on region.

7. Leadership Options

If you are relocating, you’ll want to identify key leadership candidates among your current staff and offer the necessary relocation packages to encourage them to relocate.

If you are expanding into a new location, you’ll also likely want an employee to relocate to head the new venture, at least initially. A current employee understands your company values and can better represent the brand than a new one. Once settled, you can hire a new head from among the local staff.

Office Movers, You Can Trust

Contact us for help with your office relocation. In addition, we can help you with the planning and execution of this significant undertaking.

Finding good child care can be challenging, yet it is a priority when you make a household move into a new community. Here are some tips for finding daycare or other forms of child care in your new neighborhood.

Start Early

Start looking as soon as you know about your move. Some areas have a shortage of reasonable care, especially for infants who require a smaller child-to-adult ratio. Doing your research and applying early improves your chances of finding a slot in a highly-rated center.

Determine Your Child’s Individual Needs

Every child is unique and has unique needs. If you are already using daycare, you may know the types of programs that work best for your child. However, consult your pediatrician before deciding if your child has a chronic physical condition, such as asthma, diabetes, seizures, or allergies.

Use Apps and Websites

Various apps and websites can help with your initial search. Childcare.gov will link you to state child care search websites. Other apps include:

• Winnie, a marketplace of daycare and preschool programs that is available on a site and an app
• Sittercity, a Web-based platform to connect parents with sitters and nannies
• Momni, an app that offers global care-sharing
• UrbanSitter, an app and Website platform that provides sitters, nannies, and tutors
• Care.com, a site that helps you find nannies, babysitters, tutors, and daycare facilities in your neighborhood

Visit Each Program

Visit each finalist in person to see what the classrooms and play areas look like, how teachers interact with students, and what a child’s typical day will be like. If you hire a nanny, interview the finalists carefully and see how your child and the prospective choice interact.

Specifically, look for things such as:

• Can teachers always see the children?
• Do teachers look the child in the eye when they speak to them?
• Are both indoor and outdoor spaces used for play? And does the program offer a variety of toys?
• Do you hear laughter?
• Are areas clean and clean-smelling?

Ask questions, such as the program’s philosophy, how they handle challenging behaviors, and staff turnover rates. Ask how often children are allowed to play outside and how the program lessens the spread of disease.

Check Quality Ratings, Accreditation and Licensing

Not all states require daycare programs to be licensed, but the best programs usually are. Even among states that require licensing, New York requires a five-to-one adult-child ratio for 2-year-olds, but Florida requires an 11-to-1 ratio. Be sure you understand what licensing means in your new state.

Some child care programs are accredited through professional organizations, such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Accredited programs will also meet specific quality standards.

Finally, check quality ratings. Most states use symbols, such as stars, to indicate quality. The provider earns more stars as they meet additional quality standards. Remember that each state has its own quality standards and rating system, so research what each rating means in your new community. Your state’s resource page can provide more details about ratings.

Online reviews are another way to gauge whether a program is doing a good job.

Making the Move

Are you planning your relocation? You undoubtedly face a lot of work and tough choices during your move. Let us help with your relocation. We can handle the packing and heavy lifting. Contact us today for a free quote.

When you choose a new home, security might be an afterthought. That is, of course, until you move in and want to protect yourself and your belongings.

Home security can be an essential part of the residential moving process. Follow these tips to ensure you have the proper home security for your new space.

1. Increase the Lighting

If you haven’t had the opportunity, survey your home at night. It will be easier to spot dark areas. That way, you can figure out where you need to add lighting.

Motion-sensor lighting for your driveway and backyard is a wise idea. Add other types of lighting on a timer. Consider the lighting angle so it doesn’t keep you up at night.

Choosing outdoor lighting is less complicated than it used to be. You might be able to install battery-operated or solar-powered options in a few hours.

2. Make Valuables Hard to Find

As a general rule, burglars look for an easy win. They want to get something valuable with as little work as possible. Your goal is to make it harder for them.

Keep your valuables out of sight. Don’t place expensive equipment in easy view of a window. Do the same for your vehicle.

If you have expensive or irreplaceable things, consider additional protection for them. A small safe might be an ideal solution. You might even decide to store them elsewhere.

3. Change the Locks

When you get the keys to your new home, it’s a good idea to change the locks. Keys are easy to duplicate. Assume that any or all of your neighbors might have a copy.

If you are handy, take care of the switch; otherwise, consult a professional locksmith, and set a time for them to change the locks. They may be able to do this within a few hours.

Once you get the new locks, be careful where you put the keys. Leaving a set on your home exterior puts you at risk. Instead, consider giving an extra set to a trusted friend nearby.

4. Add Cameras

These days, it’s prevalent to put in a doorbell camera system at your front door. They often work in conjunction with alarm systems.

If you have other exterior doors, think about adding cameras for those. It’s essential for parts of the home that you can’t see from a window.

Keep in mind that cameras are only helpful if you use them. Installing a system with alerts might be the best approach.

5. Set Alarms

For the highest level of security, you might consider installing an alarm system. With this type of protection, you outsource some work to a third party. They help you keep an eye on your home and alert authorities if necessary.

Choose the most straightforward and consistent system that you can. If it’s too difficult to use, you won’t use it. Also, make sure that the control panel isn’t visible from the outside of the house.

Moving Assistance

Protecting your home takes multiple systems. To learn more about how you can have a better moving experience, request a free quote today.