Written by: Irina Proskurina, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Last year wasn’t an easy one for most businesses. Many had to navigate inflation, supply chain issues and other challenges of 2023. It’s been even harder for solopreneurs who faced longer hours and increased pressure.
If you’re feeling burnt out, now is the time to escape the rat race and prioritize automation. But why do so many small business owners struggle to cross the line where self-employment ends and growth begins?
In an exclusive interview I spoke with Tursun Alkau, the founder of MyProMovers, one of the top moving companies in Washington D.C. in 2023, as ranked by Forbes. Six years ago, he purchased one truck and became his LLC’s only employee.
Today, MyProMovers now has 59 employees, 20 vehicles, and a revenue of over $3.5 million. The company serves 4,000 customers a year, including U.S. military bases and White House personnel.
While 2023 was a time of stagnation for many businesses, MyProMovers posted 20% growth. How did Alkau break free from being a solopreneur to leading a successful company that creates jobs?
Forget what is known
We all operate within the framework of the familiar. If you follow common practices because “that’s just how it’s done in my industry”, you’ll never innovate.
Traditionally, most moving companies don’t care about integrating a systematic approach. Rather, the owners have focused on cutting costs and saving on all fronts, including equipment and labor.
Somehow that philosophy worked, although unhappy employees have been leaving in droves, and clients often don’t return. So why hasn’t the $23.6 billion moving market ever made the upgrade to automation?
Bad practices have a habit of sticking. First, they become a business model and, later, an entrenched tradition with the potential to adversely impact the entire industry. Taking one’s business to a new level requires guts.
Determined to make the business work for him so he could spend more time with his family, Alkau has focused on automation and technology since launching his company.
He understands that it’s important to see beyond established procedures and models in order to become a pioneer in one’s industry.
Have a vision for success business, not failure
As a solopreneur, Alkau focused on growth. He integrated software and early on invested in top-notch equipment because he had a vision of the future and not the “work” he had at the moment.
Many solopreneurs who struggle with automating their businesses focus on their fears. Thoughts like, “What if my employees leave to start their own companies with my know-how?” or “What if investing in technology doesn’t bring fast returns?” often stop them from automating and subsequently thriving.
The issue of control is often at the heart of the problem. Solopreneurs often sacrifice their freedom, health, and time with their loved ones in order to prove that they are the only ones capable of doing the job.
Alkau took a different approach by constantly seeking to enhance his own and his employees abilities. He purchased exoskeletons — wearable devices that enhance movers’ strength – and an electric stair climbing hand truck for heavy objects such as safes.
“Technology helps us to increase productivity and reduce costs: we can now send three movers instead of five,” Alkau said. He believes the hardest work should be done by machines, not humans.
Nobody can do it alone
Although Alkau is one of the first in his industry to integrate AI into customer service, he relies heavily on his human employees.
“My managers work shifts so there’s always someone from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., taking care of our operations, so I don’t have to deal with the small things,” Alkau said.
He trusts his employees. At various instances, Alkau's workers have discovered $50,000 in cash under a mattress, a Rolex beneath a bed, and Tiffany and Bulgari diamond jewelry left in wardrobes.
Thanks to the culture he created — with benefits like picnics and after-work saunas — employee retention rates are high, with most people staying for at least a few years.
Alkau embraced diversity: female workers play essential roles as both movers and the packaging staff within the company.
MyProMovers is expanding and Alkau is looking to share his best practices. “It’s hard to launch dozens of businesses, so we are working to open franchise locations in 50 different states in collaboration with other entrepreneurs,” he said.
No one can do it alone. It’s important to care for, train, empower, and have confidence in the people around you to automate your business and grow.
Irina Proskurina, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Irina Proskurina is a proud CEO and founder of E-PR Online Agency – a New York-based digital platform that leverages online publications in the world’s most renowned media outlets to help people and businesses grow their brands. With years of experience in PR under her belt, she witnessed amazing client success stories: explosive audience reach boost, growth in SERP rankings and traffic, excellent brand reputation – you name it. She’d like to share these stories to inspire readers to pursue PR strategies for their business endeavors. Her services allow companies to grow their brand essence, increase engagement with their target audience, capitalize on SEO and carve a unique space in their mark.
