Our Story
How We Got Started
Home for the summer between his Junior and Senior year at the University of St. Thomas, Jerad Poling was asked to help family friends move into a new house. He gladly accepted, started preparing for the move, and at the end of it all, was compensated for his efforts. An idea was born. He and his friends decided to help others in the Eau Claire area move for the remainder of the summer.
In his last year at St. Thomas, Jerad recognized a win-win-win situation related to the experience he had the previous summer: College students want to make money, stay active, and work with their friends. Being a mover would provide just that – that’s win number one. Folks that need help moving don’t want to hire someone that takes frequent breaks or complains about their back, and many college students are able-bodied, energetic and resilient – that’s win number two. Finally, the demand for moving services in the Midwest is greatest in the summer, when college students have the most time – that’s win number three. And so, a name was born: College Muscle Movers.
The following summer, Jerad decided to stay in St. Paul and officially start his own professional moving company with some help from his close friend, Tim Olson.
2008
The Beginning
Jerad and Tim graduate from the University of St. Thomas and start College Muscle Movers.
2008
The Beginning
Jerad and Tim graduate from the University of St. Thomas and start College Muscle Movers.
2009
Enter Cameron Carson
Cameron joins the team as the first unpaid intern. He spent a good chunk of his time early on setting up formal accounting and important processes that are still in practice today.
At this time the company was being run out of a loft in St. Paul, renting trucks from Penske and storing their moving equipment in the formerly functioning Muscle Van parked outside the loft.
2009 – 2011
The Early Years
Similar to most other professional moving companies, a service was booked and immediately after Muscle Movers would be called until they had the necessary crew scheduled. Often times, Tim, Cameron and Jerad would end up out on services – whatever it took to make sure they never missed a service.
After a few years Jerad’s interest in College Muscle Movers was waning, but Cameron saw a lot of potential in the idea. So, Cameron approached Jerad about purchasing the company in early 2011.
2009 – 2011
The Early Years
Similar to most other professional moving companies, a service was booked and immediately after Muscle Movers would be called until they had the necessary crew scheduled. Often times, Tim, Cameron and Jerad would end up out on services – whatever it took to make sure they never missed a service.
After a few years Jerad’s interest in College Muscle Movers was waning, but Cameron saw a lot of potential in the idea. So, Cameron approached Jerad about purchasing the company in early 2011.
2012
Ownership Change
On January 1st, 2012 Cameron takes full ownership of College Muscle Mover and moves the company into its first official warehouse on Carroll Ave. It was far cry from the ideal situation (you had to walk through a bathroom to get to the back entrance), but it was at least a warehouse.
Cameron also restructured the scheduling process to further ensure we never miss a service, provide more availability and provide a more predictable schedule for our Muscle Movers.
Andrew Roth joins the team as an On-Site Estimator.
2013
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Andrew Roth joins as an owner.
Cameron and Andrew set out to create an opportunity for young professionals to gain general job experience many entry-level jobs require, develop important skills, and act as a strong referral for employees as they enter their preferred career paths. This program continues to grow and remains a primary focus of the College Muscle Movers team.
College Muscle Movers moved to its current location, a proper warehouse, at 720 Prior Ave N, in St. Paul, MN.
2013
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Andrew Roth joins as an owner.
Cameron and Andrew set out to create an opportunity for young professionals to gain general job experience many entry-level jobs require, develop important skills, and act as a strong referral for employees as they enter their preferred career paths. This program continues to grow and remains a primary focus of the College Muscle Movers team.
College Muscle Movers moved to its current location, a proper warehouse, at 720 Prior Ave N, in St. Paul, MN.
2015
Three’s Company
Former Muscle Mover, Cameron Gillette, joins Andrew and Cameron as part owner.
College Muscle Movers starts offering storage solutions for everything from overnight holds to long term storage.
2016 – 2019
Pressing Onward
Dan Kerrigan, another former Muscle Mover, rejoins the team and serves as President.
The College Muscle Movers fleet continues to grow as do our storage capabilities.
2016 – 2019
Pressing Onward
Dan Kerrigan, another former Muscle Mover, rejoins the team and serves as President.
The College Muscle Movers fleet continues to grow as do our storage capabilities.
2020 – 2021
New Brands, New Services
Recognizing a need for more specialized in-home services, our partner brand Keepsake is launched to handle packing, cleaning & organizing services.
We continue to provide reliability and familiarity during uncertain times by launching our Home Improvement services to help turn our customers’ new houses and apartments into homes.
Stay tuned for new developments and offerings as we continue to grow and pursue our mission of providing you with premium moving services!
We could not be more proud in what we’ve accomplished in our time as a company and we look forward to many more years of growth, exceptional services for our customers, and work and development opportunities for young professionals in our community.
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