There's been an ongoing myth for consumers out there: if you own a business, you must be wealthy. Let's debunk this.

As the owner of a living-wage certified moving and junk removal company in Asheville, I can tell you—running a small business in today's economy is less about wealth and more about resilience, grit, and community care.

I started Move it or Lose it with $800 and an old U-Haul truck. Today, I still live in a rental house with mold, buy secondhand clothes for my kid, drive a car with over 200,000 miles and a cracked windshield, and shop precisely at the grocery store to make ends meet.

My personal income? About $38,000 a year—and that's full-time, as a business owner.

Living Wage Commitment in Asheville

We are proud to be a Living Wage Certified employer in Asheville, NC. This means we pay our exployees' wages that allow them to survive in today's housing market, put food on the table, and live with dignity.

But here's the cold truth:

• If our staff is paid fairly (as they should be)...
  
• And clients expect discounts or free services...
  
• Then someone else eats that cost.

That "someone" is me.

I've come to realize that, just like my team, I too deserve a living wage. Business owners are workers too.

The Dilemma: Community Need vs. Business Survival

We love our Asheville community, and we've built programs to support folks experiencing difficulties. But since the economic downturn, and especially after Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, the number of people asking for free or heavily discounted services has skyrocketed.

And as much as I wish we could say yes to everyone, we can't help everyone for free.

Our community support funds are limited, and to qualify for discounts or charity programs, you really do need to be at least financially strapped as I am.

Why Do We Value Items More Than Service?

It's a tough pill to swallow when I hear:

"Your rates are too high."

Meanwhile, the same people will:

• Spend $250 at a cosmetics store in one trip.
  
• Drop $600 at Best Buy for a new gaming console.
  
• Drop $1,200 in online impulse buys without flinching.

But when it comes to moving, organizing, or junk removal—labor that requires skill, sweat, trucks, fuel, and insurance—suddenly, the price feels unreasonable.

Here's the truth: our rates are right in line with Asheville's industry standards and far below those of national moving companies.

So, why does a TV earn respect, but the work of human hands gets questioned?

The REALITY of an Asheville Small Business Owner

Owning a small service business in Asheville isn't about quick profits—it's about:

• Being brave enough to take risks.
  
• Being strategic to keep doors open despite rising costs.
  
• Having perseverance to show up every day.
  
• Serving as an employer, leader, and community member all at once.

But let me be clear: it doesn't automatically make you rich.

Sure, rich in mentality, but I am just the same as many other working-class families in Asheville—trying to survive.

Why Supporting Local, Living-Wage Businesses Matters

Supporting a local, living-wage certified company isn't about making the owner rich. It's about:

• Keeping jobs sustainable for people in our community.
  
• Circulating money locally instead of to corporate headquarters.
  
• Building resilience so local businesses can weather downturns and still be there for you.

Because without fair pay for both staff and owners, there are no businesses left to serve you.

A Call to Asheville

If you've ever thought, "They own the business, they must be fine," please think again. Every time you choose to hire a local service, pay full price, and tip generously, you're not only supporting our staff, but you're also ensuring small businesses like ours can continue to exist.

Support Move it or Lose it!

Website: https://moveitavl.com

Email: team@moveitavl.com

Phone: (828)-231-1983

If you've been a previous customer, please leave a testimonial for us! We greatly appreciate your words, and it deeply supports our cause.

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