Article and photos by Savanah Mandeville
A small business swept both the Carl Junction Area Chamber of Commerce and the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce awards banquets this year.
JoMo Moving, a locally owned-and-operated moving company, was awarded Business of the Year by the Carl Junction Area Chamber of Commerce April 4 and Small Business of the Year by the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce April 25.
Joshua Maresh, who owns and operates JoMo Moving with his wife, Courtney, said he was stunned to take home the prize in CJ and never expected to win again at the Joplin banquet just three weeks later.
“We are still in shock,” Maresh said. “It feels like someone is going to pinch me and I will wake up from this dream.”
Since JoMo Moving’s inception two years ago, Maresh has built his business around a model for success that has earned it a glowing reputation not only among the business community but among the customers it has served.
“We run JoMo with our hearts first and, I think, have always known how we wanted our company to be known,” he said. “I have always loved to give back to people and live by the motto of ‘People are more important than money.’ I will always come through 100 percent for our customers and communities and never think of a customer as a job.”
Four years ago, Maresh’s job with a military moving company relocated him and his family to Joplin from Texas. After two years here, Maresh’s former boss decided to sell the company, which left him and his family with a decision to make.
“Do we move back to Texas with my company? Do we transfer again to another location? Do we stay here and start over, or do we stay here and start our own moving company? After several days of conversations, JoMo Moving was created. We decided we loved this area and wanted to make this our permanent home.”
Today, JoMo Moving has a footprint in both Joplin and Springfield. Maresh has six full-time movers, five of whom have been with him since the very beginning. The company offers all moving services, including commercial, residential, apartments, long distance and assisted-living moves, in addition to storage unit services.
“There are very few things we won’t or can’t move,” Maresh said. “We will work hard to find a solution for an item that is unique. We are licensed, insured and bonded. We can move you anywhere within the United States. What some people don’t realize is we can just load or unload your Uhaul for you, too.”
JoMo Moving is also dedicated to giving back to the community. They donate free moves to the Lafayette House, Joplin Police Department, local fire departments, and they volunteer at a number of area charities and fundraisers. They also have an 11,000-square-foot warehouse where they store items to give to organizations in need. Just in 2019, they have donated furniture, toys and household goods to Bright Futures, women and children in need, and fire victims.
Maresh may have never sought recognition when he began JoMo Moving, but he has certainly earned it.
“I am just so blessed to be where we are today,” Maresh said. “I am walking taller with a whole new sense of pride, and I’m beyond thankful for all the support the communities have given to JoMo Moving.”