For Cumberland University professor Dr. Noa Stroop, starting a moving company wasn’t about trucks or boxes-it was about inspiration. Stroop, who holds a doctorate in business administration and is a lifelong entrepreneur at heart, had been working on a book about how to start a business without money or even a big idea. When his wife, Nicole, asked where his “social proof” was, he realized he needed a living, breathing example to show the process in action.
“I wanted to prove that anyone, regardless of background or resources, could build something successful,” Stroop says. Looking at his own assets, summers free from teaching, a pool of hardworking students, and the universal truth that no one enjoys moving, Move It Tennessee was born on March 18, during spring break.
From the start, the business doubled as a classroom. Stroop doesn’t just teach entrepreneurship, he demonstrates it. Students get to see financial statements, marketing plans, and client funnels up close. Sometimes they even help solve real-time challenges, like voting on a scheduling conflict that ended up landing a great job. “It’s one thing to read a textbook,” Stroop explains, “but it’s another to see theory applied in real life with real stakes.”
His message to students and the community is simple: stop waiting. Don’t wait for investors, the perfect timing, or the dream idea. “Pick something, get up, and do it,” he says. His guiding principles-stay humble, ambitious, confident, and kind-shape both his company and his classroom. Stroop emphasizes that entrepreneurship isn’t just a career path; it’s a way of looking at the world, solving problems, and believing you can create your own opportunities.
The Move It Tennessee team reflects that mindset. Operations Manager Nathaniel Chiarizzio, a retired Army veteran, and Marketing Manager Ryan Calvert, a former Cumberland University baseball player and graduate, join Stroop. Together they form the backbone of a business that’s both reliable and approachable.
Move It Tennssee is on a mission to transform moving day into something smooth-even enjoyable. Their four pillars guide the way: Professionalism, with crews neatly dressed and ready to impress; Punctuality, because timing matters when stress runs high; Principled, hiring only trustworthy workers, often Stroop’s students; and P’fun, because sweating through the heavy lifting is always better with good company.
“Many hands make light work,” Stroop says, noting that his teams often bring in extra movers to save clients time and money. And when it comes to health and belongings, he reminds people that moving is tougher than it looks. From hauling couches through narrow doorways to navigating staircases, accidents happen. His team—often made up of former collegiate athletes, has the strength, stamina, and training to handle challenges safely and efficiently.
Stroop also pushes back on the idea that movers are a “luxury.” DIY moves may seem cheaper, but hidden costs, like broken TVs, damaged floors, sore backs, and strained friendships, add up quickly. Professional movers bring not just muscle but foresight, proper tools, and peace of mind.
Behind the scenes, Stroop shares practical tips: start packing early, disassemble furniture, empty drawers, and keep valuables close. Moving, he says, often marks the first chapter of a new season and deserves to begin on the right foot.
Ultimately, Stroop sees moving as more than a service. It’s about trust, care, and helping people through one of life’s biggest transitions. And for his students, it’s proof that with creativity and determination, you can quite literally move your dreams forward.
“I wanted to prove that anyone, regardless of background or resources, could build something successful.”