Founded in 1890, Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage the parent company of Portabox has successfully weathered many history-changing events including the Great Seattle Fire, WWI, the Spanish Flu of 1918, the Great Depression, WWII, the 2008 recession, and 9/11 among many other public crises. We are taking the current COVID-19 threat very seriously and will promptly adhere to any and all directives from local, state and federal government officials. Hansen Bros. and Portabox have been categorized as an essential industry business (moving & relocation) within the current mandate established by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee.

As essential services, we will maintain normal operations until such time as either company management determines we must close our offices or we are directed to do so by a governmental authority. We are taking extensive precautionary measures including the adoption of all CDC guidelines and the establishment of our own policies intended to minimize health risks for all customers, employees, contractors, vendors, and community stakeholders. We are proud to be able to support the needs of our customers during this crucial time but are prepared to quickly change course as required.

Stay safe together with Hansen Bros. and Portabox

The COVID-19 crisis is fluid and there are many uncertainties and factors outside of our control that may, with little or no advance notice, impact our delivery of moving & storage services. Please be aware the current crisis could potentially result in small inconveniences such as a delayed project start time or significant inconveniences such as the complete rescheduling of services.

Although there are many unknowns to be navigated, you can be certain that Hansen Bros. and Portabox will be timely and transparent in our communications regarding servicing your moving & storage needs, and our professional relocation consultants will work diligently to offer creative solutions in the event your project is impacted by the current health crisis.

Steps We're Taking:

  • Company-wide Implementation of all precautionary measures recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
  • Office staff and crews are being monitored daily for symptoms and/or known exposure by management and asked to go home, contact their healthcare provider, and self-quarantine as directed. Staff that experience symptoms and/or aware of exposure when not at work have been directed to stay home and notify their supervisor.
  • Office staff and crews are receiving daily briefings on precautionary measures and have been directed to follow them on and off the job.
  • Office staff and crews are being instructed to maintain appropriate “social distance” of 6 feet minimum between one another, customers, and all other people.
  • Office staff and crews are being provided with appropriate hand sanitizer and surface disinfecting supplies. They have been directed to disinfect truck cabs and moving equipment between each move to the best of their ability. These supplies will continue to be replenished as we are able, based on availability from retailers.
  • We are limiting visitation to our branch offices. If you wish to purchase moving boxes or supplies, please simply call in your order and we will happily deliver to your vehicle outside.

We are all in this together.  The team at Hansen Bros. and Portabox is proud to continue offering our services in accordance with the necessary precautions outlined above. We are here to make the process of storing belongings seamless & safe for you.

How to start a business in Seattle WA?

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There are numerous factors that make Washington State, and its largest city, Seattle, an excellent place to launch a business. From tax benefits to a great economy and a highly skilled workforce, you’ll enjoy many advantages if you open a company here. However, there are a few things to consider before you figure out how to start a business in Seattle WA. For example, before you set up your office, you might need to make use of storage units North Seattle. Also, you’ll need to learn more about the job market in Seattle and the licenses you need to open a business here. To make things easier for you, here’s what you need to know about starting a business in Emerald City!

Get to know the job market and local economy before you start a business in Seattle, WA

The first thing every successful business owner in Seattle needs to do is research its job market and economic outlook. Even though Seattle is a big city, with more than 737,000 residents, its population is quite scholarly. Indeed, more than 66% of Seattle residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher! So, if you need highly educated employees, opening a company in Seattle will be your best choice. Also, there will be no problem finding workers here since the unemployment rate in this city was 2.9% as of December 2022.

A person looking at financial charts
The success of your business will depend on the state of the local economy, so make sure to inform yourself well.

From the experience of business storage Seattle facilities, most companies in Seattle work in important fields like biotech, healthcare, maritime businesses like shipping and fishing, and technology. Therefore, if you’d like to open a business working with something else, you’d have less competition on the market.

Another important thing you need to consider before you start a business in Seattle WA are the costs of renting an office space and other related prices. While Seattle’s average office rent price is around $38.24 per square foot, this and other business costs seem to be on the rise. Finally, you should also inform yourself on Seattle’s business climate using market research data, demographic tools, business directories, and other available resources. 

Decide on the name and legal structure of your company

As Newcastle self storage experts can confirm, having a trustworthy and marketable business name will open many doors for your enterprise.  There is much more to naming your company than merely coming up with a name you like. A good name will convey the values and objectives of your company better, so you’ll be able to attract the customers you want. Furthermore, you won’t run into any legal issues.

To officially start a business in Seattle, WA, you have to determine the type of entity your company will be. That means choosing between registering your business as a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability corporation (LLC), or limited liability partnership (LLP). Your legal business structure has an impact on many things, including your tax filing strategy and your potential personal liabilities.

A team making a plan to start a business in Seattle, WA
A good business plan will contribute to the success of your Seattle company, so take all factors into account.

Finally, not less important is to figure out how you will finance your business operations in Seattle. Besides a bank, you can also get a loan from organizations and institutions like Evergreen Business Capital and the Small Business Administration.

You’ll also need to make a plan and get licenses to start a business in Seattle, WA

If you plan to open a business, you most certainly already have a concept of what you want to sell, produce, or do. At the very least, you know the market you want to join. Look up existing Seattle businesses in the industry you’ve chosen and analyze what the current market leaders are doing. Then, make up a business plan that will describe your company’s objectives, marketing strategy, and details about its management and structure. If you’re in the storage industry, perhaps you’ll even come up with innovative business solutions for on demand storage Seattle facilities! This business plan is essential not only for the success of your company but also for obtaining a bank loan.

After you have a business plan in motion, it’s time to take practical steps and get the licenses you need to start a business in Seattle WA. For tax purposes, all businesses operating in the state of Washington must get a Washington State Master Business License. Also, you’ll need a Seattle business license tax certificate, which has to be renewed every year. If you need to build your own office space, it’s necessary to get a building permit from the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections as well.

Get insurance for your company and build your team

Getting the appropriate insurance for your business is a crucial step to take before you formally launch it. You should make sure that you are adequately secured because dealing with situations like property damage, theft, or even a consumer lawsuit may be expensive. Although you should take into account a variety of business insurance options, the majority of small firms can profit from a few standard insurance policies. If you have the financial means to do so, offer special insurance to your employees.

Successfull job interview
To start a business in Seattle WA on good terms, you’ll need to find dedicated team members as well.

Unless you plan to be an only employee, you’ll need to assemble a fantastic team in order to start a company in Seattle, WA. As the crew from the Redmond self storage team can testify, asking your core team, defining roles and responsibilities, and dividing labor should be one of your top priorities. And with that, offering generous benefits is certainly a good way to attract a skilled workforce!

A good start paves the way for smooth expansion

Now that you know what it takes to start a business in Seattle WA, you can dedicate yourself to making your dream come true. However, your duty as an entrepreneur doesn’t end with the company launch and initial sales. You must constantly expand your business if you want to turn a profit and stay afloat. While doing so requires time and work, your effort will ultimately pay off.

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