When Franchisee Mark Golden started with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® more than 20 years ago, he started small by joining the Huntsville, Ala., location as a mover.

Over the next nine and a half years, Golden would slowly advance into just about every role you can experience working at the frontline level of a franchise, advancing from a mover to a customer service representative, then to a move manager, an operations manager, and finally a general manager. Having worked in essentially every role available for a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK location, there was only one step for Golden to take – the jump to franchisee.

His experience working so many different roles at the Huntsville location had prepared him for this transition, and he knew what he wanted to get out of becoming a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchisee.

“Mostly, the hope was that after a few years of franchising, it would give me freedom and financial security,” said Golden, who is a multi-unit franchisee for TWO MEN AND A TRUCK with locations in Alabama and Florida. “I think having in worked in every department of the Huntsville location, it gave me an understanding of the different challenges that not only our people have to deal with, but also our customers.”

Golden officially signed as a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchisee in 2007. Despite nearly a decade of experience with the company, there was still a learning curve as he transitioned into business ownership.

“The company of the culture really showed when I signed as a franchisee, it really seemed as if you were meeting with friends on ‘Discovery Day’”, Golden said. “I think the biggest challenge of becoming a franchisee was working to find a healthy balance of work and family time. The first few years, I didn’t spend as much time with my family. I’m sure my wife felt like a single parent.”

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