Podcast Summary: Becker Business – Building a Service Driven Moving Company with Jerry Siegel of Midway Moving & Storage

Date: February 19, 2026
Host: Scott Becker
Guest: Jerry Siegel, Founder & CEO of Midway Moving & Storage
Episode Focus: Strategies behind building a high-quality, service-driven moving company, lessons from nearly 40 years in business, and the culture and technology that set Midway apart in a competitive industry.

Episode Overview

Scott Becker interviews Jerry Siegel about the founding, growth, and philosophy of Midway Moving & Storage, a Chicago-based moving company known for its service-driven approach, exceptional employee retention, and commitment to quality. Key themes include the professionalization of moving labor, creating a strong internal culture, leveraging technology, and lessons learned from large-scale growth and marquee clients like the Chicago Cubs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Birth of Midway Moving & Storage

• Background: Jerry Siegel founded Midway at around age 20, aiming to raise the professionalism and service standards in an industry dominated by day laborers and contractors.
  • "Since day one, our mission has been to provide the highest quality of service in the industry." – Jerry Siegel [01:06]
• Unique Approach: Different from competitors, Midway employs and trains all movers instead of using casual or independent labor.
  • "Midway is the only moving company in the industry that has built and trains its own people." – Jerry Siegel [02:21]
• Professional Staff: Emphasis on certified, career movers ensures consistent, quality service rather than the uncertainty of ad-hoc staffing.

2. Differentiating Through Service

• Personalized Experience: Midway offers comprehensive, custom-tailored service, guiding clients through every phase of the move—packing, storage, setup, debris/junk removal.
  • "We take time to walk our clients through every phase of the project... that extra personal touch where we walk you through every phase of the project." – Jerry Siegel [04:53]
• Empathy and Care: Recognizing moving's stressful nature, Midway’s staff aims to reduce client anxiety, not just relocate goods.

3. Operational Discipline in a Challenging Industry

• Consistency & Training: The company's quality comes from investing in people and rigorous training, not just seeking profit through volume or price competition.
• Long-Term Employees: Many employees have remained for decades (average tenure: 20 years), contributing to strong institutional knowledge and culture.
  • "I have employees that have been with me for over 35 years... The average employee has been with us for 20 years." – Jerry Siegel [08:24]

4. Key Inflection Points and Growth Lessons

• Winning Major Clients: The Chicago Cubs and government contracts underscore that reputation for quality precedes winning high-stakes business.
  • "You only get accounts like the Chicago Cubs by providing excellent quality service." – Jerry Siegel [07:25]
• Gratitude Toward Staff: Success is attributed to loyal, skilled team members.
  • "Our success is really a testament to the staff that we have." – Jerry Siegel [08:03]
• Diversification: Expansion beyond standard moving into storage, government contracts, elections, and more.

5. Building and Maintaining Company Culture

• High Standards: Rigorous hiring and a strong middle management team help maintain standards in an industry notorious for high turnover.
• Reputation: A brand synonymous with high-quality relocation, regardless of move type or distance.
  • "You try to get a reputation of equality... providing quality service day in and day out." – Jerry Siegel [10:23]

6. Technology, Adaptation, and Customization

• AI-Powered Planning: Investments in AI help gather detailed information on each project, allowing for more accurate, customized service.
  • "The AI platform that we use gives us a really good hands on approach to understanding exactly what the needs are for each particular client." – Jerry Siegel [12:13]
• Evolving Customer Expectations: Clients now expect tailored solutions and quick adaptation to changing circumstances.

7. The Underrated Lever for Success

• Team & Culture as Core Assets:
  • "The most important thing is surrounding yourself with good people... providing the highest quality service in the industry at a price that's affordable." – Jerry Siegel [13:58]
• Flexibility & Trust: Adapting to last-minute changes (e.g., delayed closings) and maintaining reliability breeds customer loyalty and referrals.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Professionalizing the Industry:

  • "My goal and vision was to really professionalize and provide the highest quality of service the industry has to offer." – Jerry Siegel [01:56]

• On Employee Retention & Culture:

  • "I have employees that have been with me for over 35 years... At Midway, we're very well diversified." – Jerry Siegel [08:24]

• On Technology in Moving:

  • "We have an AI platform that helps us gather information on the project scope... It really helps us understand what the customer needs are." – Jerry Siegel [11:57]

• On Reputation and Quality:

  • "You try to get a reputation of equality...providing quality service day in and day out." – Jerry Siegel [10:23]

• Light-Hearted Moment:

  • Scott: "Yes. You moved us to Florida and the only difference between our home and the one that Mark Zuckerberg is buying…is about $149 million. That's the big difference." [17:38]
  • Jerry: "That's a small difference." [17:48]

Important Timestamps

• 01:00: Jerry Siegel introduces himself and Midway Moving & Storage
• 01:49: Motivation for starting the business and differentiating through professional staff
• 04:46: Importance of service disciplines and personal touch in moving
• 07:23: Discussion on landing major clients and growing through quality
• 08:24: Employee retention, company culture, and diversification
• 10:20: Building and sustaining internal culture and reputation
• 11:54: Technology adoption—AI for customized moving projects
• 13:53: The value of people and quality in long-term business success

Tone and Language

The episode is conversational, positive, and pragmatic, mixing humble gratitude with clear-eyed business insights. Both Scott Becker and Jerry Siegel maintain a tone of mutual respect and a bit of humor.

Summary

This episode offers a masterclass in building a service-driven company in a crowded, operationally intense industry. Jerry Siegel’s focus on hiring, training, and retaining staff—combined with a commitment to personalized service and embracing technology—has made Midway Moving & Storage a leader in its field and a trusted partner for major institutions and long-time clients alike. The lessons are universally applicable: success hinges on people, consistent quality, adaptability, and leadership that genuinely cares.