Simple Box Storage Solutions
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE
Difficult times inspired change
YEAR
Simple Box scrapped plans, relied on core values for direction Tony Moceri
Heading into 2020, Ross Black, the owner of Simple Box Storage Solutions, was looking forward to executing his plan for future growth. Business — providing storage containers for rent, purchase and to help people move — was on an upward trajectory, and he had no reason to think that would change. “We were poised to have our best year ever,” Black said. That sentiment would quickly change as the world entered the pandemic. “March 6, we held this all-team meeting, scrapped all the goals and just said we have one goal, and that’s survival,” Black said. He and his team rapidly made changes to their daily operations, allowing them to thrive in this new environment. Communication became the team’s focus. With the business spread out among seven locations and multiple states, Black had to figure out how to keep everyone on the same page. They began using Voxer, a walkie-talkie app that allowed people to communicate instantly. He also instituted morning meanings, which Black leads himself. As he and his team meet virtually, he ends every morning meeting with a slide that says, “How Can I Help?” Black’s instincts to increase communication were correct. “Teamwork just seems to be the No.
1 thing that just skyrocketed in 2020,” he said. This teamwork mentality has showed through not only in the success of the business, but also in the actions of the team. Many people offered to take pay cuts to help the business and their co-workers. Black was inspired by these selfless acts, and in what was shaping up to be a challenging year, he Ross Black doubled down on his team. Founder, CEO Dave Black He instituted a profit-sharOwner/Business ing model that will continue Development with the company even after the pandemic is over. This has created a level of ownership among the team that took 2020 only good if the world didn’t change. from surviving to thriving. Instead of working from a plan, the Simple Box now has people working team at Simple Box now work from all over the West and is doing it their values and daily habits, which better than ever. Black upgraded the will hold true no matter what happens. team’s equipment and set them up to Black is still concerned about an ecowork remotely, improving efficiency. nomic impact that could be looming “Overall, we ended up probably hit- due to large inflation, which is why he ting every one of our goals as far as continues to streamline operations to expanding and increased revenue,” he be prepared for whatever comes next. said. “It just looked so much different He believes unequivocally that the than we thought it would.” events of 2020 made Simple Box a In a year that looked much different better business. He could not be more than anticipated, Black has learned impressed with his team and is thrilled not to hold too tightly to plans. He that the company is better positioned thought Simple Box had great strat- than before to help people with their egies going into 2020, but those were storage needs in 2021. ■
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MAR/APR 2021 | BUSINESSPULSE.COM
