I think I'm something of a full-blooded mover! (laughs) It all started in 2004, when I lived in Australia for a year. I worked as a mover for a while, and I really liked the job right away. Well, maybe also because it was such an exciting time in my life...

When I moved to Switzerland afterward, I started working for a moving company in Zurich. In between, I briefly changed industries and worked as a bus driver and tour guide for a year and a half. That's how I ended up in the Engadin, first with Engadin Bus.

Interestingly, during my time at Engadin Bus, I was repeatedly asked by friends here if I could help them with their move. Or if I had any tips for them...

I don't know, my experience as a mover must have gotten around. Or maybe I just wasn't good at hiding my passion (laughs)...

Founding PIZ3 was the next logical step. Because at that time, there wasn't a proper moving company in the entire Engadin region.

In 2010, the time had come. A year before founding the company, I began to research everything I could. It turned out there was a huge gap in the market! I got started right away, diligently created a detailed business plan, acquired partners and suppliers, borrowed some money, and finally founded "PIZ3 - the Moving Professionals" in September 2010.

Haha, that would be nice! The whole thing was incredibly labor-intensive. I started on my own and had two temporary employees to help me. I bought a small moving van—it wasn't big enough for anything else—and did every move myself. I had to do the office work at home on weekends. And all of this as a new father...

And of course, I also learned a lot of lessons and made quite a few mistakes along the way. Especially when things turned out completely differently than I had planned. Today, I realize that's part of being an entrepreneur.

I get asked that a lot! Here's the strange story (laughs)...

Back then, I enlisted the help of some students to develop the logo and company name – my brother and his friends. We brainstormed for days and weeks to come up with a suitable name. Only one thing was certain: It had to be something typical of the region. So we quickly agreed on the word PIZ, which means peak in Romansh.

Everyone involved loved PIZ!

However, we all agreed that PIZ couldn't stand alone... something was still missing... We racked our brains for days, but no one could come up with anything that fit PIZ. Sometimes it was too long, sometimes it sounded weird, or didn't work for other reasons. It was frustrating!

At some point, someone resignedly shouted to the group: "I've had enough. Write whatever you want after that PIZ. A 3, if you like!" Everyone was laughing. We liked the idea, and the name PIZ3 was born.

Exactly! We didn't expect so many people to ask us later what PIZ3 actually means.

Afterwards, we often had to sit down together over a beer and think of sensible explanations for what PIZ3 could actually stand for.

So one time we came up with the idea of Professional, Intelligent Zügen, another time we explained that the 3 at the end could stand for the last number in the postal code of Samedan (where PIZ3 began), and yet another time we referred to the three highest peaks of the southern mountain range of Graubünden, at whose foot we are located in the Engadine...

We constantly invented new explanations and had a lot of fun doing it. Everyone can now choose for themselves what they like best (laughs). Isn't that great?

Quality, not shoddy work – that was always my top priority. Everything had to be just right for my moves: diligence, reliability, friendliness. Unfortunately, there are many black sheep in the industry – I wanted to get away from them.

That's why I make sure my team is well-trained. High-quality equipment, safe workwear, clear processes – for me, these are the foundation for ensuring every job is completed professionally and safely. And, of course, that the people are paid fairly and well.

I'm particularly proud that we have received certification from the SMA (Swiss Movers Association). It shows that we meet high quality standards in all areas – officially.

But it's just as important to me that my people feel comfortable. People who enjoy coming to work radiate that outwardly. And I really hope our customers feel that too.

(Holds his breath briefly) Well, let me tell you... it never gets boring! My job is very varied, because I spend some time working in the office, some time consulting with clients, and sometimes even lend a hand with moves. That way, I don't become a total office idiot (laughs).

Of course, I'm also a boss and an entrepreneur, and sometimes I have to make difficult HR and strategic decisions at the same time...

And then there are the days when all areas escalate at once and I have to split myself up. The office is hectic, and the phone is constantly ringing, contracts need to be drawn up, employees need to be trained, interpersonal issues need to be resolved, and customer requests need to be met...

On days like that, I sometimes feel like throwing my desk out the window (laughs). Fortunately, I have great people in the office who are taking a lot of the pressure off me. True to the motto: Shared pain is half the pain! (laughs).

Here's to my people. They've been doing a fantastic job for years. We continually hear from our customers how satisfied they are with our service. That really pleases us and inspires us.

It's certainly not an easy business, as it involves a high level of workload, a great deal of responsibility, and often requires us to resolve complex customer requests. But looking back on the last 15 years, I can say with complete conviction that founding this company was a good decision.

And I'm truly delighted that it's developed so well! For that, I especially thank our many fantastic customers – now around 5,000.