Ball for Claire’s Place Foundation to Raise CF Funds, Honor Founder

Ball for Claire’s Place Foundation to Raise CF Funds, Honor Founder

The Claire’s Place Foundation, a nonprofit that supports people with cystic fibrosis (CF) and their families while honoring its late founder, will present its Third Annual Clairity Ball on Oct. 22 in Santa Monica, California.Billed as “a magical evening that transforms lives,” the event raises funds for foundation programming and celebrates founder Claire Wineland, a CF patient who died in 2018 at age 21. Tickets are $300 each. Tables for 10 and 12 attendees are $3,000 and $3,500, respectively.Held at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalow, the seaside affair will feature celebrity guests, dancing, and live music by The Lucky Devils and Honey & Blue, plus a performance by multi-platinum recording artist Andy Grammer.In addition, awards will be given to longtime supporters of Wineland and the foundation for their dedication to her legacy,

Claire’s Place Foundation Unveils Third Annual Clairity Ball, A Magical Evening that Transforms Lives

Claire’s Place Foundation Unveils Third Annual Clairity Ball, A Magical Evening that Transforms Lives

Multi-Platinum Recording Artist Andy Grammer, Vice Mayor Richard Montgomery & Founders of NorthStar Moving Company to be honored for their dedication to Claire’s legacyLos Angeles, CA, Oct. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Claire’s Place Foundation, a non-profit organization providing support to children and families affected by cystic fibrosis (CF), is proud to announce its Third Annual Clairity Ball, a fundraising evening by the sea, celebrating the life and legacy of their late founder Claire Wineland. The Clairity Ball, a fundraiser to support Claire’s Place Foundation, will be held at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica, California on Saturday, October 22, 2022. The ball will feature hors d’oeuvres and cocktails served under the twinkling iconic Moreton Bay fig tree, plated dinner, dancing, live music by The Lucky Devils, celebrity guests and performances including Multi-Platinum Recording Artist Andy Grammer who will perform his song “Don’t’ Give Up … Continued

6 Best Moving Companies in San Francisco of 2022

6 Best Moving Companies in San Francisco of 2022

There are many details to manage when you’re moving to a new home. Yet in the midst of budgeting for moving expenses, changing over utility services, and registering your children to attend new schools (if you’re a parent), finding the right moving company can take an important worry off your plate.The best moving companies in San Francisco are equipped to handle your possessions with care and professionalism — whether you’re moving a short distance or relocating from the other side of the country. And of course, you’ll also want to find movers with affordable and transparent pricing.Read below to discover our reviews and top picks for the best moving companies in San Francisco for 2022. Find out whether one of these San Francisco movers might be the right fit for your next move.

4 Steps to a successful move with kids!

4 Steps to a successful move with kids!

It’s no secret; No one likes to move, and that includes your kids. Moving is one of the most stressful times in life. It brings a lot of change, to-do lists, and financial concerns, and for your kids, it means making new friends or maybe adjusting to a new school. Long before you break out those cardboard boxes, use these pointers to help your kids get through the process. Consider timing, transition, getting the kids involved and adjustment.

LA Food Bank Names NorthStar Moving’s 2021 Food Drive “Fundraiser of the Year”

LA Food Bank Names NorthStar Moving’s 2021 Food Drive “Fundraiser of the Year”

NorthStar Moving’s 2022 food drive surpasses 2021’s, providing over 178,000 meals to feed hungry kidsLos Angeles, CA, Sept. 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NorthStar Moving® Company, the leading eco-luxury mover in California, is proud to announce that the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank awarded their Let’s Send Hunger Packing Food Drive 2021 “Top Fundraiser of the Year.” NorthStar Moving raised the most donations out of almost 200 #WeFeedLA fundraisers and is featured in the food bank’s annual report.“I am so proud that our food drive is being featured for this recognition,” said NorthStar Moving Co-Founder Laura McHolm. “I wish our food drive was enough to feed all the hungry children, but the Los Angeles Food Bank needs everyone’s assistance to meet the massive need. I challenge other businesses to do all they can to assist the Food Bank. They are … Continued

Ask The Expert

Ask The Expert

At NorthStar Moving, we seek franchisees who share our commitment to client service, the community and to team members. In terms of fit, you must be a natural leader. You must be smart, have a sense of urgency, place a high value on integrity and be able to both inspire people doing intense physical labor and instill a sense of pride in a job well done. It’s vital to also embrace the concept of under-promising and over-delivering — to make certain that every client you move will want to use you as “their mover for life.”

Top 8 Moving & Storage Franchise Opportunities

Top 8 Moving & Storage Franchise Opportunities

The rise in work-from-home options since the pandemic began has opened up opportunities for many people to relocate. In fact, the number of Americans who moved in 2021 jumped 20% above 2020 levels. Consequently, the moving services industry has grown to be a $19 billion market and is anticipated to see even more growth, according to IBISWorld.For those looking at franchise opportunities within the moving franchise space, here are some of the top moving and storage opportunities to franchise with.

Special Report: Women-Owned Businesses – Laura McHolm

Special Report: Women-Owned Businesses – Laura McHolm

Moving a household is among the most stressful events a family can endure.“Everything is uprooted,” said Laura McHolm, the co-founder of NorthStar Moving Co. of Northridge. Moves typically are made amid “the chaotic backdrop of not being able to find your favorite pair of socks or the kids’ night light because everything is in boxes.”What’s more, a move often is the result of some big life change: marriage, divorce, new baby, new job. And it typically involves the apprehension of new schools for the kids and finding new friends for the whole family.“Let’s face it, it’s stressful and nobody enjoys it,” said McHolm. “It’s truly the time we could all use a little TLC. But the moving industry was a service industry that sorely lacked service.”So, she set out to change that with her company by emphasizing service. And she … Continued

What To Pack For Your First Night In Your New House

What To Pack For Your First Night In Your New House

Moving day is approaching and your to-do list just keeps growing! But, there is one more to-do to add to your list. This to-do gets you ready for a peaceful first night in your new home. You’ll thank me later. Actually, you’ll be too tired to thank me, but that’s okay. Your first night will be great and that’s all the thanks I need.The last thing anyone wants to do after a long moving day, is to open box after box in search of your pjs, toothbrush, pillow and your kid’s night light. No one wants to go on a treasure hunt at the end of moving day!Here’s how to have a restful first night:

Let’s Send Hunger Packing Food Drive Feeds Hungry Kids

Let’s Send Hunger Packing Food Drive Feeds Hungry Kids

NorthStar Moving® Company is pleased to launch their 10th Annual Let’s Send Hunger Packing Food Drive. NorthStar Moving has once again teamed up with Compass Real Estate to raise much needed donations for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank in order to feed hungry children in Los Angeles County.“We started our Let’s Send Hunger Packing food drive to ensure kids have access to nutritious meals even during summer vacation,” said NorthStar Moving Co-Founder Laura McHolm. “In nine years, our food drive has raised almost half a million meals. We will not stop until every child is well fed. Today, one in four children in Los Angeles County does not know where their next meal will come from. It’s simply heartbreaking, children are hungry right here in our backyards. And, with the rising costs of food, the need is even greater. We hope to make our … Continued

5 Keys to Unlock Your Ideal Work-From-Home Fairytale

5 Keys to Unlock Your Ideal Work-From-Home Fairytale

Sharing home life with work life is not easy. When I first started working from home over a decade ago, I envisioned myself as Cinderella blissfully singing as I worked with little birds circling around to help me. Well, that fairy tale quickly came to an end. Even though you are not fulfilling these dreamy expectations, you keep on trying, setting yourself up for disappointment each and every day. And then the awakening comes — it’s time to be your own fairy godmother and set up a new approach to successfully work from home.How do you turn your plot around? Be honest with your ability to focus while in the midst of home distractions. Instead of setting yourself up for disappointment with lofty goals, set up your work-from-home schedule for the real you versus the fantasy you.After years of working … Continued

Thinking outside the box for 28 years

Thinking outside the box for 28 years

NorthStar Moving believes in delivering excellent service and loves turning clients into raving fans. With a desire to make moving as stress-free as possible, the company makes it their top priority to provide special customized client care. NorthStar Moving offers clients red carpet treatment and was the first in the industry to offer eco-luxury moving packages.Truly, a key to their success is the company’s culture. A family of loyal, diverse, and dedicated team members, many have worked at NorthStar Moving for more than five, 10, and even 20 years. In fact, NorthStar Moving has won “Best Places to Work” for 10 consecutive years from the Los Angeles Business Journal. 

NorthStar Moving Marks 10 Years of Feeding Hungry Kids

NorthStar Moving Marks 10 Years of Feeding Hungry Kids

NorthStar Moving teams up with Compass Real Estate to kick off annual “Let’s Send Hunger Packing” Food DriveLos Angeles, CA, June 23, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NorthStar Moving® Company, the leading eco-luxury mover in California, is pleased to launch their 10th Annual Let’s Send Hunger Packing Food Drive. NorthStar Moving has once again teamed up with Compass Real Estate to raise much needed donations for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank in order to feed hungry children in Los Angeles County.“We started our Let’s Send Hunger Packing food drive to ensure kids have access to nutritious meals even during summer vacation,” said NorthStar Moving Co-Founder Laura McHolm. “In nine years, our food drive has raised almost half a million meals. We will not stop until every child is well fed. Today, one in four children in Los Angeles County does not know where their next meal … Continued

Foolproof Hacks for Packing Your Suitcase Efficiently Every Time

Foolproof Hacks for Packing Your Suitcase Efficiently Every Time

 Here are some helpful packing techniques to ease the burden of filling your suitcase efficiently and keeping your clothing in tip-top shape while en route.Wrap fragile items in thick, sturdy clothing. Place them in the center of your bag surrounded by a buffer, says Laura McHolm, co-founder of NorthStar Moving, a Los Angeles–based company that relocates 5,000 people (and their precious porcelain) each year. If you’re carting liquor bottles, secure them in the bottom center of your bag.

A Handy Seller’s Guide To Staging a House While Living In It

A Handy Seller’s Guide To Staging a House While Living In It

Staging is like home selling theater. It involves choosing or modifying the decor and furnishings to evoke a feeling of newness, freshness, and appeal for buyers. It’s especially important for listing photos, showings and open houses to convey what the house looks like at its best in a way that doesn’t make it seem like it’s someone else’s home. In other words, great staging will help buyers imagine what the house will be like if they lived in it.

How to Prioritize Customer Service When You’re Shortstaffed

How to Prioritize Customer Service When You’re Shortstaffed

Service is the art of providing your customers with care and kindness. You don’t need a full staff to provide exceptional one-on-one customer care. Think quality over quantity. As a moving company, we needed to shrink the number of moves we performed to deliver the high quality service that has always been part of our DNA and to preserve our five-star reputation. It may sound scary to shrink your business in a time when there is still a high demand. But, what is really scary is the damage to your brand caused by stretching your human resources too thin and delivering sub-par service to your customers. Your hard earned stellar reputation will suffer. Repairing a bad reputation takes years.  Consumer demand is up, but don’t let that temptation ruin your business. Be smart and strategic, ask yourself what can my current staff handle? … Continued

NorthStar Moving will Reduce Food Waste at 2022 LA Marathon

NorthStar Moving will Reduce Food Waste at 2022 LA Marathon

Move for Hunger & NorthStar Moving Team Up to Deliver Unused Food from Marathon to Food BankLos Angeles, CA, March 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NorthStar Moving® Company, the leading eco-luxury mover in California, has once again partnered with Move for Hunger, a national hunger relief non-profit organization, to ensure leftover food and water at the 2022 Los Angeles Marathon will not be thrown away and wasted.  At the conclusion of the LA Marathon on Sunday, March 20, 2022, NorthStar Moving’s team will pick-up the leftover food and deliver it to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. “Large events like the LA Marathon provide an opportunity to rescue thousands of meals. NorthStar Moving’s partnership will allow us to make sure any unused food and beverages at the finish line are delivered to those who need them most,” said Move For … Continued

Organizing drawers – 10 ways to create order around the home

Organizing drawers – 10 ways to create order around the home

For a neat and tidy home, organizing drawers effectively is a must. This includes giving each one a purpose, says Barbara Brock, founder & CEO of Beauty & The Box and past president of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals, New York chapter.Many kitchens have a junk drawer, but if it’s to be a useful space where you can find the items you need, try this organization method from Laura McHolm, professional organizer and co-founder of NorthStar Moving & Storage. ‘First, dump everything out of your amazing junk drawer and remove items like the below,’ says Laura. ‘Those mysterious parts: (you know, the parts of things that you don’t know what they are but they look really important.) Take an empty jar such as a pickle jar and put those random pieces in it. Place the jar in a storage room, … Continued

12 Pieces of Feedback That Have Helped Us Grow and Improve

12 Pieces of Feedback That Have Helped Us Grow and Improve

We asked our Thrive community to share with us one piece of feedback they’ve gotten or given that changed their work environment or mindset for the better. Which of these pieces of feedback resonates with you? “When you focus on being of service to people, the sky’s the limit.”“My father, who also was an entrepreneur, told me that if you build your business focused on being of service to people, the sky’s the limit. Don’t think about sales, think about solving people’s problems. My partner and I follow his words of wisdom and have built our company, NorthStar Moving, on the principles of kindness. We make it our mission to go beyond lifting boxes, to lifting up those in need.” —Laura McHolm, moving company co-founder, Los Angeles, CA

How to organize a bedroom – 10 ideas for a super zen and tidy space

How to organize a bedroom – 10 ideas for a super zen and tidy space

If you’ve abandoned bedroom organization for some time, the chaos can feel overwhelming. But, taking those first steps to tidy up and sort out your clutter will give you an instant lift. Fear not, we’re here to help show you how tackling one thing at a time and tapping into the best bedroom storage ideas will give you game-changing results.Once your room is organized, focus on using strategic decor to make the space feel bigger. Laura McHolm, professional organizer and co-founder of NorthStar Moving & Storage Company says, ‘With that right décor you can make a space feel bigger. Here are strategies that will open up your tiny room while showing off who you are: Mirrors: Hang interesting mirrors around the room. The views and reflected light from the mirrors will make a bedroom look bigger. Select big and small mirrors with interesting frames … Continued