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
