April 1, 2025
Trust isn’t built overnight.
My journey to becoming the co-founder of Storage Scholars began with a chance opportunity but was solidified through dedication, trust-building, mistakes, and ultimately, facing a global crisis together with my business partner, Sam.
Showing Up When Others Don’t
When I first joined Storage Scholars as a mover, I saw something in Sam that others missed. I believed he was going to succeed, and I wanted to support him fully.
My approach was simple: work harder than anyone else. I committed to proving my dedication by working every available hour.
Earning Leadership Responsibilities
My dedication paid off when Sam went to study abroad in New Zealand, leaving me to run operations.
Taking this responsibility seriously, I stepped up and managed the business in his absence, proving I could handle leadership roles.
Over time, I moved from being just a hard worker to becoming a true second-in-command. I would call Sam daily to learn everything he knew, trying to essentially clone his abilities.
Once I mastered his skills, he started offering me new challenges. The key was showing that I cared about the business just as much as he did, even though I had no ownership stake.
A Moment of Broken Trust
Despite this growing trust, I nearly derailed everything during my sophomore summer.
While staying on campus to work on the business, our group would play poker for small stakes in the evenings. Having practiced card tricks since childhood, I made a terrible mistake one night.
After drinking, I got cocky and started cheating – stacking the deck to give myself the best cards.
I thought it was harmless fun for five-dollar hands, but Sam and another colleague saw me from across the room.
The next morning, Sam confronted me: “How could I ever trust you with being my co-founder if I can’t even trust you not to cheat our friends out of money?”
I was spiritually crushed, realizing I’d done something completely unethical.
I apologized to everyone, but two weeks later left to study abroad in Denmark, without proper time to rebuild that trust.
Absence Reveals True Value
While I was away, Sam tried bringing in other students to fill my role. Every one of them disappointed – they quit, didn’t deliver on their work or promises, and prioritized partying over commitments.
By the time I returned in January, Sam had gained a new appreciation for what I brought to the table.
Our working relationship was special, something he only fully realized after experiencing its absence – much like in personal relationships, sometimes you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.
Forged in Crisis: The Pandemic Test
The true test of our partnership came during the COVID pandemic in my junior year.
When the pandemic hit during spring break, students left campus thinking they’d return the following week. Instead, they were told to stay home indefinitely, leaving their belongings behind in their dorms.
We had to completely rebuild our business model. Instead of just moving packed items, we now had to pack everything ourselves.
What normally took us 3-4 days to move hundreds of students stretched into a hundred-day marathon.
We worked without breaks, physically exhausted and mentally challenged beyond anything we’d experienced before.
Partners at Last
After this crucible experience, our bond was unbreakable.
Having weathered multiple challenges together and proven our mutual dedication through the most difficult circumstances, Sam finally said the words I’d been working toward…
“I want you to be my partner – we’ve been through so much together; I trust you with my life.”
Great business partnerships aren’t formed through contracts or convenience.
They’re built through shared challenges, proven trust, and mutual dedication to a vision bigger than individual ambitions.
When you find someone who matches your commitment and complements your abilities, you’ve found something truly valuable – a partnership that can withstand any crisis.