By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News
Two Four Points businesses are among the 50 fastest growing companies in Austin: QualTech Automotive and Square Cow Movers, LLC.
Ranked at No. 9 and No. 15 respectively, Square Cow Movers, LLC and QualTech Automotive have both grown over 60 percent since 2010. And they have done so during an unprecedented global economic slowdown.
Both businesses are owned by Steiner Ranch residents with multiple ties to the community including supporting local charities and organizations. Both feel a deep appreciation for the customers who have made their growth and success possible.
Local business owners Billy Leavings with Qualtech Automotive and Wade Lombard with Square Cow Movers, LLC have each grown their companies over 60 percent since 2010. They recently were named two of Austin Business Journal’s fastest growing 50 companies in Austin.
The Austin Business Journal holds the Fast 50 competition annually and the competition is fierce. The two categories are small and large companies with revenues of less or more than $10 million.
Rankings are calculated solely by annual compounded growth. For example, the No.1 small business winner grew from $530,000 in 2010 to $4.5 million in 2011, then to nearly $8.2 million in 2012. This reflects an overall growth of 1430 percent, but an annual growth of a still impressive 291 percent.
Square Cow Movers, LLC
With an annual growth rate of 75.21 percent, Square Cow Movers employs 53 movers and managers at their location on 620 North. They have another 10 staffers at their Houston location.
It’s a family owned and operated business, started in 2007 by Wade Lombard, his father Wayne and brother-in-law Derek Mills. Without any previous experience in the moving business, they fell into it by chance when, exploring possible start-up options. They met with a friend who owned a moving business and was gracious enough to show them the ropes.
Their philosophy is simple: instead of looking for great movers, they look for great people. If their focus is on service, they figure, then the bottom line will take care of itself.
Much to Wade Lombard’s gratitude, that has proven to be a successful formula. “Our staff is made up of hard working professional movers who smile and say ‘Yes, ma’am’ a lot. That’s our business model.”
“We’re convinced that our growth is a result of clients showing us kindness, hard work, and God’s grace,” said Lombard, chief financial officer.
Besides their North Houston Woodlands location, they hope to open a second Houston location next year near Katy, Tex. Wade looks forward to the day when his boys, now in kindergarten and first grade in Steiner Ranch, work as movers during their summer breaks from high school and college. Rather than growing the business to sell, its owners hope it will be generational.
Square Cow offers local and out of state residential and commercial moving as well as packing, unpacking, and moving of specialized items. For more information, visit www.squarecowmovers.com.
QualTech Automotive
Since 2010, QualTech Automotive has worked hard to distinguish itself as a provider of exceptional auto servicing and repair.
Owner and president Billy Leavings starts by requiring that all his technicians be not only Certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), but that they hold ASE Master Certification.
He further understands that customers look for value and and for those little extras that ease the inconvenience of having one’s car in the shop. To that end, QualTech offers a 12 month/12,000 mile nationwide warranty as well as a shuttle to take customers wherever they need to go when dropping off their vehicles.
Leavings has an obvious passion for cars and is as excited about the variety of vehicles the shop has serviced this year, including a 1965 AC Cobra and a Maserati.
“Our team understands that a happy customer is not good enough. We really strive to have customers who love us and who go on to spread the word. My staff is talented but most importantly they care, which is a skill that can’t be taught,” Leavings said.
Living in Steiner with his wife and son, Leavings knows that at least half of his customers are also his Four Points neighbors. This adds additional motivation to fix cars right the first time and to be scrupulously honest and professional.
Not that he needs the extra motivation. Besides the 63.71 growth in revenues recognized by the Fast 50 award, Leavings and his staff are rewarded by customers who drop by weekly with lunch or cupcakes, or by the simple satisfaction of a job well done.
More than anything, Leavings wants customers to know how much they are appreciated, and that QualTech is conscious of the solemn responsibility that comes with taking someone’s car and hard-earned money.
QualTech is located on 620 North near Anderson Mill. For more information, visit www.qualtechauto.com.