Historic photo of young family member in front of an early Camelot office — Circa 1992. Our youngest, born 6 months after Camelot started, sitting outside our third office site.

This month Camelot celebrates its 40th anniversary!

So it's time to reminisce over our 40-year journey and all its twists and turns. After all, the lessons we learned along the way helped shape the company we are today.

To mark Camelot's milestone, we've gathered a list of some of the insights that have stuck with me along the way:

20 Asking for clarification now is less embarrassing than having to admit you didn't understand later.

19 Packing, loading, and driving skills can be taught. The right attitude can't. We've tested this theory thoroughly.

18 A good moving crew dodges problems. A better moving crew solves problems. The best moving crews anticipate them.

17 High standards are demanding, but worth the effort.

16 Help those in need.

15 Growth without standards is just chaos, but with more employees.

14 If you wouldn't do it at your grandmother's house (e.g., curse, smoke, litter), don't do it at a customer's home.

13 Trucks break down; gas prices skyrocket; your best employees move on. In Camelot's early years, these felt like catastrophes. They are not. I've learned that disruptions are just part of life when you're running a moving company.

12 Use the words “always” and “never” sparingly. That being said … always, always, always take a deep breath and respond calmly.

11 First impressions often tell the whole story … but not always!

10 A good name is harder to restore than a classic car.

9 People can surprise you in the best way: that young kid who struggled to keep up on his first day is the backbone of your driving team 20 years later.

8 Don't confuse a bad day with a pattern.

7 Do it right, even when no one would know the difference especially when no one would know the difference.

6 Reputation, good or bad, travels faster than a viral post … well, maybe as fast as a viral post.

5 With over 40 years in the industry, I have learned to trust my gut. If something feels off, it probably is.

4 Not every job is the right job. Saying no is sometimes the most professional answer.

3 High standards have legs. The proof? People have called back decades later asking for the same moving crew by name.

2 Preparation looks slow—right up until you see what rushing costs.

1 When you build a company from the ground up, starting in your garage, you won't be able to fully separate home life and work life. But try.

I hope we never stop learning. I'm looking forward to the twists and turns ahead … but hopefully with fewer bumps in the road!

Twenty for Forty

This month Camelot celebrates its 40th anniversary!

20

Asking for clarification now is less embarrassing than having to admit you didn't understand later.

19

Packing, loading, and driving skills can be taught. The right attitude can't. We've tested this theory thoroughly.

18

A good moving crew dodges problems. A better moving crew solves problems. The best moving crews anticipate them.

17

High standards are demanding, but worth the effort.

16

Help those in need.

15

Growth without standards is just chaos, but with more employees.

14

If you wouldn't do it at your grandmother's house (e.g., curse, smoke, litter), don't do it at a customer's home.

13

Trucks break down; gas prices skyrocket; your best employees move on. In Camelot's early years, these felt like catastrophes. They are not. I've learned that disruptions are just part of life when you're running a moving company.

12

Use the words “always” and “never” sparingly. That being said … always, always, always take a deep breath and respond calmly.

11

First impressions often tell the whole story … but not always!

10

A good name is harder to restore than a classic car.

9

People can surprise you in the best way: that young kid who struggled to keep up on his first day is the backbone of your driving team 20 years later.

8

Don't confuse a bad day with a pattern.

7

Do it right, even when no one would know the difference especially when no one would know the difference.

6

Reputation, good or bad, travels faster than a viral post … well, maybe as fast as a viral post.

5

With over 40 years in the industry, I have learned to trust my gut. If something feels off, it probably is.

4

Not every job is the right job. Saying no is sometimes the most professional answer.

3

High standards have legs. The proof? People have called back decades later asking for the same moving crew by name.

2

Preparation looks slow—right up until you see what rushing costs.

1

When you build a company from the ground up, starting in your garage, you won't be able to fully separate home life and work life. But try.