Trailblazers

Spencer Jones, co-owner of Bailey’s Moving and Storage, has seen the company at one of its worst points in history—and now, at one of its best. When he and his partners completed the acquisition in 2000, Bailey’s Moving and Storage was in debt. “We immediately cut several hundred thousand dollars of overhead, completely restructured the organization. We closed some smaller satellite offices to reduce expenses and centralized operations,” Jones says.

Thanks to the company’s relationship with Wells Fargo coupled with its set goal, Bailey’s soon experienced profitable years. But in 2008 the company was hit extremely hard, like many in the industry. Viewing challenges as opportunities has been a major part of the company’s success, and it once again came out on top. “We completely reinvented ourselves and made some tough downsizing decisions, which produced the needed results. Profitable years returned and have improved each subsequent year,” Jones says.

Forming partnerships has helped the company—specifically with Wells Fargo and Allied Van Lines. It has also partnered with nonprofit organizations and schools, annually delivering for the Festival of Trees, and most recently has taken a leading role in Project Teddy Bear.

From the outside, it looks like Bailey’s Moving and Storage simply relocates businesses and individuals across town (or across the world), but the company and its employees see it as much more than that—it’s all about serving people. In fact, because there’s no product, the company leaves it to employees to be the face of Bailey’s, Jones says.

“We have an underlying theme, which is an absolute reality—that is without our customers we are not in business,” Jones says. “We understand we need the proper team of employees that understand this and are committed to this philosophy. That’s where we start. We have great employees who are committed to the customer.”

Providing services like detailed pre-move planning, on-site project managing by sales and management personnel, extensive training of all moving personnel, proper equipment maintenance and following the “conveyor move” concept have all kept this business moving for more than 50 years. 

“I think one of our greatest strengths is a can-do attitude,” Jones says. “We pride ourselves on providing the service that our customers need, when they need it.”