Photo Courtesy of James Cook
By Amber Louis
The University of Tampa Alum James Cook began what started as a simple way to make some cash to what is becoming a multifaceted business with aspirations of partnering with UTampa directly. From furniture, to dorm clean outs, to even rideshare services, one mission is kept in mind: your classmate, acquaintance, or a fellow student is at the forefront of the job.
TAMPA Fla. – A simple message in the notorious UTampa Facebook Mom’s group chat: a student needs help moving a couch. That’s what sparked the idea behind James Cook, UTampa Alum and founder, to start his own company Students Moving Students. Affordable rates, reliable moves, and flexible scheduling describe the mission statement behind the student-based company.
Cook and his roommates began reaching out to anyone interested in their services which is where it began. It wasn’t particular and well-detailed, yet it worked for their schedules and for the services people needed at the time. Cook gave his advice to any young entrepreneur interested in starting a business.
“I would say just start,” Cook said. “You think so much about the perfect plan and like how you want to do it, but you just got to get your foot in the door and just start. [Just] like how me and my roommates did back in my sophomore year.”
For students who are unfamiliar with the area and other companies that could help the moving process, this could be a key resource to ease a move in.
Charles Thyroff, sophomore and employee of Students Moving Students, shared how he believes this simple idea could help the student body.
Photo Courtesy of Matthew Vincent
“I think it is an asset because we are boys around the ages of those who request us,” Thyroff said. “We are a much cheaper option compared to some moving companies and Uber.”
James Fekete, employee and graduate student at UTampa, shared what he has seen from the company thus far.
Fekete said, “I think Students Moving Students is the best service for college students because as a recent college graduate, James has already built a community around the Tampa area helping college kids. He is familiar with the dorms/apartments in the area and prides himself on affordable costs with excellent customer service. [This is] something larger companies often lack.”
Although it began just as a moving company, Cook recently added a rideshare feature with a flat rate per ride.
“I have a younger sister that goes to [UTampa], and she called me one morning after a night out and she was like, ‘Yeah, the Uber driver was so creepy.’”
Providing safe and reliable transportation for students who may not feel comfortable using popular rideshare like Uber, Lyft, or even the new technology of Waymo might feel at ease knowing a student would be behind the wheel of their next ride.
Students Moving Students offers rides at a flat rate of $20 at any time, anywhere within a 10 mile radius of campus, whether that be USF or UTampa. They also offer special rates for airport drop offs and pick ups during the holiday season.
All quotes, requests, and rides go through James directly. This may change in the near future as the company advances and upgrades their systems.
“For moving, they can go through the website or contact James directly,” Thyroff said. “For driving they can only go through James as of now but we’re hoping in the next month the app will be fully open to the public instead of James limiting membership.”
Cook explained where he projects Students Moving Students to grow in the upcoming years, as he has already partnered with the International programs.
“I would like to keep expanding [through UTampa], where it’s a well-known thing,” Cook said. “I would like to partner officially with the university.”