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In 1985, in the bustling borough of Queens, New York, Avi Cohen laid the foundation for what would become a moving empire, aptly named Avi Cohen Moving. With sheer determination and a clear vision, Avi transformed a single truck venture into an armada of 20, serving both local and long-distance customers. Remarkably, for two decades, this growing enterprise has thrived solely on word-of-mouth recommendations, a testament to the excellence of their service.

A versatile force in the industry, Avi Cohen Moving offers a range of services including residential, commercial, office relocations, and specialized services like piano moving. What truly sets the company apart is its dedicated crew, many of whom have been with the company for over 20 years. This consistency not only underscores the company’s employee-centric approach but also gives customers a familiar, trusted team every time.

Avi’s journey wasn’t without challenges. He bootstrapped the company with limited resources, faced financial turmoil in 1990, and steered it through rapid growth phases. Yet, with resilience, working exhaustive 80-hour weeks, and an undying ethos to “make every customer your salesman”, Avi has built a legacy. He believes in minimizing risks, adapting to market changes, and setting clear, aspirational goals.

Clients often recount Avi’s commitment to satisfaction, like the instance when a customer felt overcharged, and Avi’s solution was to let them pay what they felt right, reinforcing trust.

In essence, Avi Cohen embodies the spirit of hard work, adaptability, and leadership by example. With a website at www.avimoving.com, Avi’s vision of making every customer a lifetime partner and every employee part of the Avi Cohen family continues to resonate.

Q&A with Avi Cohen of Avi Cohen Moving

Avi, tell us about the early days of Avi Cohen Moving and how it all began.

Avi Cohen: I started back in 1985 in Queens, New York as a local moving company with just one truck. Over time, through hard work and commitment, we expanded to as many as 20 trucks handling both local and long-distance moves. The company is named after me, reflecting my personal commitment to our services.

What makes Avi Cohen Moving stand out in such a competitive industry?

Avi Cohen: One of the most unique aspects of our company is that we haven’t advertised in the last 20 years. All our business comes through word of mouth, showcasing the trust our customers have in us. We offer a broad range of services from residential and commercial moves to specialized services like piano moving. Our crew has been consistent for over 20 years, and customers often praise the comfort and professional service they receive every time.

How do you envision the future of your company?

Avi Cohen: Our ultimate goal has always been to be known as a reliable, fair, and professional moving company. We want to be the choice for families, serving them and their extended members for generations to come. Our belief is simple: make the customer happy at any cost.

Your success story is inspiring. Can you shed light on some challenges you faced?

Avi Cohen: Certainly. I started the company with very limited funds and no backing. In 1990, we faced a rapid growth crisis leading to financial turmoil. But with a hands-on approach, working almost 80 hours a week, and treating every customer as our best salesman, we overcame these hurdles.

How do you handle customer disputes or concerns?

Avi Cohen: There was an instance where a customer felt overcharged. Instead of arguing, I simply told him to pay what he felt the move was worth. He ended up paying the full amount. Our philosophy is always customer-first.

Lastly, any advice for budding entrepreneurs?

Avi Cohen: Identify your goals and never let go, even if it takes many years. Set clear short-term and long-term objectives, evaluate them regularly, and always aim high. It’s essential to be adaptive, minimize risks, and change with the market demands. And always remember to look forward, taking challenges head-on. Your employees and customers are your biggest assets; treat them like family and lead by example. Success, in essence, goes hand in hand with persistence and integrity.

Key Takeaways

• Unwavering Commitment and Organic Growth: Avi Cohen’s journey began in 1985 with a single truck in Queens, New York. Through sheer dedication, hard work, and commitment, he expanded his operations to 20 trucks, serving both local and long-distance needs. Remarkably, Avi Cohen Moving hasn’t relied on advertising for the past 20 years; instead, their growth is solely attributed to word-of-mouth, emphasizing the strong trust they’ve built with their customers.
• Customer-Centric Approach: The company’s success revolves around its strong customer-first philosophy. From offering a broad range of services to handling customer concerns with grace, the primary goal is always to ensure customer satisfaction. An example of this is Avi’s handling of a customer dispute by allowing the customer to pay what they felt was fair, exemplifying their commitment to building and maintaining trust.
• Entrepreneurial Wisdom and Resilience: Avi’s advice to budding entrepreneurs underlines the essence of his own journey. Starting with limited resources, facing challenges, and navigating through financial crises, his path to success was paved with persistence, adaptability, and clear goal-setting. He emphasizes the importance of looking forward, being adaptable to market changes, and valuing both employees and customers as the biggest assets of a business. Success, as Avi outlines, is intertwined with resilience, integrity, and a hands-on approach.