Women of Influence: Kelsie Ackman

After graduating from Indiana University School of Law, Kelsie Ackman thought her work trajectory was set to “lawyer life.” Then she joined a firm where no female attorney seemed to succeed. One day, as she headed to court wearing a skirt suit, a colleague pulled her aside to admonish her choice of dress. The organization couldn’t send an attorney to court in anything but pants, he said. She’d have to change.

Ackman listened — and then she walked away, her trajectory shifted by a pivotal moment. Surely there would be more diversity and open-mindedness in the business sector, she reasoned. That had to be the answer. As she scoured LinkedIn for job vacancies, a legal generalist query for College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving caught her eye. The rest, as they say, is “herstory.”

“From the first day at the company, it just felt right,” she says. “It’s amazing to feel valued in your work.”

Since 2015, her role has evolved from molding the Hunks legal team with a compliance/safety arm to focusing on franchise law with management’s blessing. Instead of a planned MBA, she earned a fraud examiner’s certification. When she was named vice president of franchise development, the company had only 30 locations; today, that number has grown by nearly a hundred. And her workfellows? They’re as diverse and inclusive as she’d hoped.

“A lot of people say: ‘There’s only room for me at the top,’ ” she says. “That’s not true; we’re all in this together.”

College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving keeps its corporate office in Tampa, a short jaunt from Raymond James Stadium. When COVID-19 silenced both the roar of nearby fans and the rapport of the Hunks call center, its workflow shifted nearly immediately. Ackman points to the organization’s positive team culture, and willingness to pivot, for the successful shift to a remote workforce. Within three days, their large call center was transformed into a completely virtual one. Ironically, the executives are communicating perhaps even better than before the pandemic.

“We spend a lot of time on Zoom and have ‘town hall calls’ with franchise owners to relay all the details franchisees need to know,” she says.

Named an essential business, CHHJ and Moving has a new mantra: Our wheels are still moving. When lockdowns went into effect, Ackman was proud of her franchisees’ willingness not only to continue doing what they do best—hauling and moving—but also to partner with domestic violence shelters. Moving vulnerable people from dangerous situations to safe havens was a practice embraced companywide.

The future holds plenty of uncertainty, but Ackman feels strengthened by the company’s focus and feels a profound feeling of ‘we’re all in this together.’ She’s been given opportunities from mentors, from people who saw something in her that could be cultivated. Her energy, and resources, are now spent developing the next generation of her team and asking “how can I help you succeed as an employee or franchisee?”

She’ll keep asking the question within the business environment she values, a merit-based organization that fosters her ambition and seeks to achieve a collective goal. Will she ever go back to working at what she calls “a stuffy law firm?” She answers unequivocally: never. In the end, the people at Hunks make work worthwhile. She thrives on helping franchisees achieve their slice of the American dream through small business ownership.

“It’s not all about what you’re doing, but who you’re doing it for,” she says. ♦

You May Also Like

With patent wins in place, Entropy Technology Design is on the fast track for continued growth

In a city full of brilliant men and women with the potential to change the world, Tami Fitzpatrick, chief executive officer of Tampa’s Entropy Technology Design, stands out as a star. Fitzpatrick’s professional background includes 25 years of experience in small corporate management, international trade, advanced technology development, product conceptualization and global business. She has

100 Women to KNOW in America

Sarah Benken, CEO and Publisher of the KNOW Book, announced the honorees of the 2022 100 Women to KNOW, an annual award recognizing the top 100 female leaders across America. Honorees were recognized at the Annual KNOW Women Summit, at The Saguaro Scottsdale, in Scottsdale, Arizona. The 100 Women to KNOW Across America Award, presented

Women are stronger together

By Mary Key, president of Key Associates Organizations that include women in top leadership positions have a competitive edge. Studies show that women bring increased productivity and innovation to the mix. The fact that women have recently lost hard-earned gains in the workplace should be of concern to any company that supports diversity and seeks

Women in commercial real estate, design, construction and development (PHOTOS)

Tampa Bay Business & Wealth’s “Women of Influence” series is an exclusive, invitation-only event that brings together Tampa Bay’s top businesswomen to meet, mingle and talk among their peers. The evening features a live discussion with a panel of influential female executives providing insight into their personal lives, careers and views affecting the business community.

Other Posts

Female leaders at AdventHealth are on a mission to deliver compassionate care to the community

The Tampa Bay area is an economically robust epicenter at the intersection of health care, technology and business. This evolution of the area is led by exceptional leadership in these industries with men and women that possess a dedication to transforming the community. AdventHealth is a faith-based, not-for-profit health care system with a mission of “extending

Girl Scouts of West Central Florida announces board of director additions

Girl Scouts of West Central Florida elected 11 members to their Board of Directors at its annual meeting, including two Girl Scout girl members. GSWCF also elected six new members to its Board Development Committee. For a complete list of GSWCF Board Members and to read their full bios, please visit gswcf.org/board. “We are thrilled

Sandra Murman receives local honor on International Women’s Day

Sandra “Sandy” Murman, former Hillsborough County Commissioner and principal at Shumaker Advisors Florida, is being recognized on International Women’s Day with the Working Women of Tampa Bay 2022 Leadership Award. During her nearly five decades of public service, Murman served as both a member and chair of the Hillsborough County Commission from 2010 to 2020.

Tampa Bay Chamber to host 16th Annual Women of Influence Luncheon

On Thursday, April 14, the Tampa Bay Chamber will host the 16th Annual Women of Influence Luncheon, Presented by Tampa General Hospital, at the Tampa Marriott Water Street, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. The event will feature keynote speaker Rhonda Kallman, co-founder of the Boston Beer Company and the founder and chief executive officer