Three Generations of Smart Moves

Hi, my name is Lily Stuart. I work for Smart Moves, where we compassionately help people transition into the next phase of life. The business has been in my family since the beginning—my grandma, Sue Wiske, founded it in 2003, the same year I was born! My mom, Melinda Stuart, took over as the owner in 2017, and today I’m proud to be part of the third generation involved in the company.

I began helping out with Smart Moves when I was about eight years old. My brother and I would flatten packing paper in my grandparents’ garage, where the business first started. Once, I found a newspaper with the moon landing on the front page! As the company grew, we moved into a small office on Layton Avenue. After school, my grandma would pick me up, and I’d help her file floor plans, write out deposit slips, or double-check paychecks. These tasks taught me early lessons in organization, responsibility, and finance.

When my mom took the reins, I kept helping with day-to-day operations—keeping the storeroom organized, making copies, and running errands. After I got my license, I stepped into a new role as a transition specialist, allowing me to visit job sites on my own. This position taught me the importance of being punctual, prepared, and, above all, empathetic toward the clients we serve.

As the company continued to grow, we eventually outgrew our Layton Avenue space. My mom made the decision to purchase a larger building with a warehouse and more office space to accommodate our expanding team. Watching Smart Moves evolve over the years and playing a part in that growth has been an incredible experience.

Now, while I am off to college to pursue my own passions, I continue to work at Smart Moves during the summers. Last year, I took on the role of team lead, allowing me to lead jobs independently and build my leadership skills in the field. Now, as I prepare to begin my senior year of college and enter my semester of student teaching, I know that I’ll always have a home at Smart Moves.

This company has shaped so much of who I am today. I’m grateful for the experiences, lessons, and values it has given me. I am honored to be carrying on the legacy of providing compassionate services as part of the third generation of Smart Moves.