Who We Are

Located in Memphis, MidSouth Moving and Storage LLC was founded by Allen Black, whose dream was to create a moving experience unlike any other. As we carry on his vision, the mission statement, “Where perfection is possible”  is forever at the forefront of our minds. We are committed to helping your go as smoothly and safely as possible.   

By Corey Davis  – Reporter, Memphis Business JournalOct 2, 2020, 2:08pm EDT

A Memphis-based, family-owned moving company shifts forward during a year of change.

Allen Black, owner and founder of Mid-South Moving & Storage LLC, passed away from cancer in October 2019. 

His wife Lucy Black — who was working for one of the couple’s three sons in Nashville — moved back to Memphis in March, just before the pandemic, to run the business full time.

“Being a woman in a predominantly male industry isn’t easy, but we have made a ton of changes in the past six months that we believe will help the business,” Lucy Black said.

Mid-South Moving is a women-led company now, with Black handling administration and Karen Edwards handling sales and marketing. Edwards has experience driving and making deliveries and was hired as operations manager by Allen Black in 2019 before he died.

Edwards came to Mid-South Moving with 36 years of moving industry experience. Lucy Black said Edwards is the biggest reason the company’s 28,000-square-foot climate-controlled storage area is full. That facility — at 4041 Hatcher Circle — helps bring in residual income for Mid-South Moving during the slower moving months to help cover overhead expenses.

“She is an awesome salesperson,” Black said of Edwards. “When you look at the Better Business Bureau [reviews], every customer is talking about Karen’s customer service skills.”

In addition to bringing on Edwards, Mid-South Moving has made other changes to help business, including a rebranding and an upgraded invoicing system.

Mid-South Moving is also in negotiations with Penske to purchase new trucks in exchange for some of its older equipment. And, the company is implementing a training program.

Mid-South Moving currently employs 15 staffers.

“When we hire new people, if they don’t do it the way we want it done, they [stay] with their training director until they do,” Black said. “It’s a little costly, but it leads to fewer damages and customer service issues.”

Mid-South Moving registered $1 million in revenue last year, but that is down so far this year because some of its customers have been hurt by the pandemic. Black considers it a blessing to only be down 15% from a year ago. 

“We know there are bigger companies that have closed because of COVID, so I’m thankful that we have stayed operational this whole time,” Black said.