Intro

At 17 years old, Aaron Steed started a business with no trucks, no money, and no safety net. Today, Meathead Movers generates $20 million annually, employs 350 people, and has landed on the Inc. 5000 list for eight straight years.

In this episode of UpFlip, Aaron reveals how he disrupted a "boring" industry by turning hustle into a visible competitive advantage. He explains why his movers jog whenever they aren’t carrying boxes, how he used a "Pay What You Want" model to build early trust, and why he actively helps his employees leave the company to pursue their dream careers.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The "Jogging" MO: How Meathead Movers disrupted the industry by requiring employees to jog when not carrying items—creating visible value for the customer.

• The "Pay What You Want" Strategy: The risky pricing model Aaron used for the first three years to build an undeniable reputation (and when he finally stopped using it).

• Guerrilla Marketing 101: The exact script Aaron used in Home Depot and Costco parking lots to land jobs with zero ad spend.

• The "Stepping Stone" Culture: Why Aaron calls his employees' future employers to recommend them, and how this reduces turnover and attracts top talent.

• The Money-Back Guarantee: How to structure a refund policy based on the customer's perceived value of each individual employee.

• From Friend to Boss: The leadership transition required when scaling from a high school side hustle to a corporate organization.

• The "Engine vs. Mechanic" Mindset: Why you must stop being a piece of the engine (working in the business) and start being the mechanic (working on the business) to scale.

• Hiring for Grit: How to identify candidates who have the physical and mental endurance for hard labor while maintaining a smile.

• Surviving Near-Death: Aaron shares how the company survived four separate events that almost wiped them out completely.

• The $200 Marketing Plan: Why business cards and eye contact still beat digital ads for local service businesses starting out.

Tags: Trucking, Service & Consulting, Business leadership, Side hustle, Meathead Movers, Delivery business, Boring Business

Resources:

Grow your transportation business today: 
https://www.upflip.com/course/moving-and-junk-removal-blueprint

Connect with Aaron: https://www.instagram.com/meatheadmovers/?hl=en