From a Dream to Reality: Al Taylor’s Journey with Taylor Moving & Storage – A Canadian Saga of Triumph and Endless Opportunity! (Part 1)

In honor of Alan Taylor's induction to the Burlington Hall of Fame, which occurs on October 19th, 2023, at the Burlington Convention Center, we want to share his story building Taylor Moving and Storage. It is a quintessential Canadian success story that demonstrates what it means to live the Canadian Dream. This article will be the first part in a three part series that highlights Al's career and his story creating the company that is a part of Burlington.

In the burgeoning heartbeat of post-war Canada, where optimism and opportunity bloomed like wildflowers across the landscape, the inspiring story of Al Taylor and the inception and rise of Taylor Moving & Storage emerged. This tale is more than a simple business success; it is emblematic of the very soul of a country and an era, intertwining with the broader societal themes that coursed through the veins of Southwestern Ontario in the mid-50s to late 60s.

As Canada stood on the precipice of unprecedented growth, the words of Al Taylor, a mere 19-year-old #entrepreneur, would resonate with an entire generation: “We had nothing but a dream, a truck and time. I started by hitting the ground running.” With these humble words, a local titan was born, taking its first steps as Taylor Transfer before growing into the company we know today. Al’s journey began much earlier, filled with tenacity, relentless work, and youthful determination.

At the tender age of 14, Al worked alongside his father in Hamilton’s North American Van Lines, soaking in the rhythms of the warehouse. “I basically did whatever I was told to do,” he remarked. Whether sweeping floors, palletizing, or learning the core of #householdgoods moving, he absorbed it all. This was not mere labor but an education in life, a hands-on course in the school of hard work.

By 16, Al was driving trucks—before he even drove a car! He chuckled, “It was hilarious. You would’ve thought I could pass my car drivers test on the first go, but I found it was easier to drive a truck than a car!” But these were not just the musings of a young man; they were the early rumbles of a dream that would echo through the corridors of #ontario‘s thriving economic landscape.

In 1959, the dream took flight. Al left North American, setting up shop in burgeoning #Burlington, a small town on the cusp of something great. As Ontario’s economy diversified and industries expanded, Taylor Moving’s first year involved arduous groundwork to buy a truck, obtain licenses, and more. It was all worth it when, on Al’s 20th birthday, he got Taylor off the ground with his first move—a humble local affair, yet the beginning of an extraordinary legacy.

What followed was a tireless hustle. Al’s days were filled with sales, driving, loading, and delivery. By night, he built connections with realtors, forging relationships on the anvil of integrity and trust. By 1961, both Burlington and Taylor Transfer & Storage grew, the company’s reach expanding as townships like Nelson & Aldershot were incorporated.

Challenges were many, mirroring the regulatory and business climate of the time. Acquiring necessary licenses and permissions was no small feat. Yet, Al’s relentless pursuit of success resonated with the era’s #innovative spirit. His company’s growth, from humble beginnings to a renowned enterprise, symbolizes a period in Canadian history marked by industriousness, creativity, and the sheer will to achieve.

The most significant obstacle? Operating within the #greatertorontoarea. But Al was not one to be confined. He bought a small company, expanding his reach and refining his brand into Taylor Moving & Storage. He even created the memorable tagline, “Taylor is the name, moving is the game.”

Al’s grassroots approach, a mosaic of handshakes and word-of-mouth referrals, breathed life into the business. The 60s saw the company’s foundation solidify, setting the stage for expansion in the 70s. Partnerships were formed, operations were bolstered, and the relentless grind continued.

Taylor’s tale is also a testament to the growing interconnectedness between Canada and the United States. His early cross-border work is a reflection of an era marked by increasing integration, heralding future economic policies.

Above all, Taylor Moving & Storage is a quintessentially #Canadian saga, resonating with the zeitgeist of an era marked by transformation, hope, and the relentless pursuit of dreams. It embodies not just the economic growth but the spirit of aspiration, community building, and entrepreneurial zeal that defined the mid-50s to late 60s. A dream forged in the crucible of hard work, and a tale that continues to inspire, the legacy of Al Taylor remains a beacon of what determination and belief can achieve in the land of endless opportunity.

Without a doubt, Taylor Moving’s history started with Al Taylor but continued on with his sons, Russ & Rick. Join us next month for the next phase of Taylor’s story continuing from the 70s to late 90s. The next part of the story includes the start of Russ & Rick’s careers within the business and Al Taylor’s commitment to further developing Taylor Moving & Storage.

Please join us for Al Taylor’s induction to the Burlington Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame on October 19th, 2023, at the Burlington Convention Center. The event starts at 5:30 and we would love to have everyone attend. Register for the event here.

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