Cameron Doody and Stephen Vlahos, two Auburn alumni, have put an end to every college students' moving day hassle. The duo co-founded Campus Bellhops, a moving service for students.
"Every semester we would always find ourselves helping move our friends from place to place," Doody said. "We realized that students would never hire professional movers, so we wanted to provide a solution to the mass moving chaos on college campuses."
The two graduated in 2009 and thought of the idea for Campus Bellhops in 2010. Auburn was the pilot school for Doody and Vlahos' business, and both said it was successful. According to Doody the company moved 230 students into the Auburn dorms.
In 2012 the company expanded to eight other universities and extended their services to include not only dorms, but apartments, houses and anyone who lives within 15 miles of a college campus. In addition to the added locations Campus Bellhops caters to. They have also extended their service to non students.
Campus Bellhops recently partnered with Lamp Post Group, a venture firm that helps smaller companies grow. Doody said because of this partnership they have moved the company as well as their families from Birmingham to Chattanooga, Tenn.
"We knew this was a huge need and knew no one had done it, so after a lot of brainstorming we decided to try it out," Vlahos said.
On average there are approximately 75 bellhops on each campus. Although the bellhops are majority male the company will hire females, but they must be able to pass the weight requirement, which is lifting 60 pounds above their head.
According to Doody, the company is starting a new system, something they say is similar to Facebook profile for the bellhops. After the bellhops are interviewed and hired they create a profile including a picture, their major, where they are from, ice breaker questions and some other things.
"Once a bellhop picks your move in date you are sent an email introducing you to them with their profile," Doody said. "That way the parents know exactly who will be helping them and have zero worries."
"I don't know how my mom found them, but I'm glad she did," said Hailey Rubin, freshman in undeclared sciences and math. "The bellhops made moving in so much easier because I didn't have to do anything. It was awesome."
Now Campus Bellhops has moved from just eight universities in 2012 to 54 in 2013. This year 2,500 will be employed by their team.
Vlahos said they are just getting off the ground with the company. They are constantly fine tuning stuff to make their service better for the customers.
College students and parents all over the country are just a few clicks away from not having to lift a finger. To book year-round service, visit campusbellhops.com.
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