From a Pickup Truck to a National Brand: The Story of Jason Elkins and Thumbs Up Moving Labor

The story of Thumbs Up Moving Labor is more than just a business success story; it's a testament to the power of a simple idea, a keen eye for a market need, and an unwavering commitment to people. At the heart of this story is Jason Elkins, the company’s President and Founder, a man driven by a passion for entrepreneurship, family, and making the most out of life.

Jason's journey began not with a grand corporate plan, but with a piece of practical advice from his older brother, Jesse. Growing up in the small town of Snohomish, Washington, Jason and his brother Justin were in search of a new business venture in 2013. They had skills and ambition but were searching for the right direction. Jesse’s simple wisdom—that a pickup truck was a way to make money—struck a chord with Jason. He took that advice to heart, bought an old Chevy truck, and started a small-scale operation, hauling scrap metal and doing demolition work. It was a humble beginning, but it laid the foundation for something much bigger.

As his local success grew, Jason’s entrepreneurial vision expanded. He recognized a consistent need in his community: people needed help with their moves. He started using his truck to help people relocate, but through this experience, he had a "Eureka moment" that would change the trajectory of his career. He saw that while there were countless companies offering transportation options—from U-Haul and Penske to PODS and U-Pack—there was a glaring need for professional, reliable movers themselves. The market was flooded with full-service companies, but many people simply needed the "muscle" to load and unload their rented trucks or containers.

With this revelation, Jason founded Washington Moving Labor Services, a company dedicated to providing this much-needed service.

It was a game-changer, filling a critical gap in the moving industry and providing a valuable service that was both professional and affordable. The business flourished on the principles of excellence, integrity, transparency, and dependability.

As the company's reputation grew, so did its reach. The name, Washington Moving Labor Services, no longer captured the company’s expanding geographic footprint. It was time for a change. The new name, Thumbs Up Moving Labor, came from a place of genuine pride and customer satisfaction. Over the years, the team had collected more than 4,000 photos of clients giving a thumbs-up—a simple, powerful gesture of appreciation for a job well done. It was the perfect name, a visual representation of the positive, dependable service the company had built its reputation on.

Today, Thumbs Up Moving Labor continues to grow nationwide, but it remains true to its core values. Jason Elkins' initial vision of providing a quality, people-first experience is still the guiding principle behind every move, every interaction, and every new city the company serves. The journey from a single pickup truck in Snohomish to a national brand is a powerful reminder that the best business ideas often come from identifying a simple, unmet need and addressing it with passion and a commitment to quality. The Thumbs Up logo is more than just a brand; it’s a symbol of a promise—a promise of a job done right, with a smile, and with the kind of professionalism that has been the company's trademark since day one. Meet the team here.