Worcester Business Journal

www.wbjournal.com Worcester Business Journal Giving Guide 2023 7 While physical needs are of great importance to wellbeing, exposure to music, arts, and nature have been shown to have positive mental and physical effects. Fortunately, the Worcester area boasts several organizations that have the power to reduce stress and enhance mental health. Research has shown that people who engage in music and the arts have better long-term memory abilities. Organizations like The Hanover Theatre, New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, and Pakachoag Music School of Worcester address that need. The Worcester Business Journal hopes that the 14th annual issue of the Giving Guide brings some well-deserved attention to the organizations that give so much for the community and clearly make a difference for all of us. n MARK'S MOVING AND STORAGE, INC.: Filling a Need F or the last 45 years, Mark's Moving and Storage has been the go-to company for a wide variety of moving and storage needs. When it comes to customers and community, the company is committed to filling a need. As a young boy in the 1960s, president and CEO Mark E. Silverman exhib- ited an entrepreneurial spirit as he walked the streets of Boston shining shoes. Since that time, his business interests have grown, but he still embraces entrepreneurship, becoming involved in many businesses, including the startup of large transportation companies, real estate ventures and consulting. In 1979, Silverman, then a Northeastern University student, needed tuition money and living expenses so he decided to start a business. He chose the moving business because he identified an opportunity. "It could have been any industry but just happened to be moving. I borrowed money on a credit card and purchased a used van. With this van I knew I could produce revenue instantly, as there was an unmet demand for student moves and small moves," he said. "I was not afraid of hard work and I was confident that I could provide 100 percent customer satisfaction to anyone willing to hire me." Obviously, the hard work paid off. Mark's Moving & Storage, which originally operated out of his family's home in Brookline, is now headquartered in a state-of- the-art development in Westborough with a nearly 100,000 square-foot storage facility, six loading docks, a fleet of more than 25 trucks and trailers, and rail access. The location and size of the new facility enables Mark's Moving & Storage to offer new services. "We found, as just one example, that many of our corporate clients had a need for record storage and surplus furniture storage," said Silverman. "We are now able to accommodate that need and provide a value to those clients beyond traditional moving services. The company's office and industrial division is equipped to handle the needs of commercial relocation and has the resources to ship throughout the United States as well as internationally; its approximately 100,000-square-foot facility accommo- dates both short- and long-term storage. The company provides project management services to small- and medium-sized businesses, and Silverman is actively involved in several local business organiza- tions, such as the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce and Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce; he is past president of The Massachusetts Movers Association. "By continuously engaging with other members of the business com- munity, I can more easily identify potential customers and industries that we, as a company, can better serve," he said. While Mark's Moving & Storage serves as a resource who those who need moving and storage services, the company is also deeply committed to the local community, supporting a number of non-profit organizations. Mark's Moving & Storage contributes to the United Way of Tri-County, Household Goods of Acton, Boston Bullpen Project, Move for Hunger, Project Graduation, the New England Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the continues on page 8 make all the difference REL ATIONSHIPS At Country Bank, we're made a little different. We have the expertise, resources, and tools you need to turn opportunities into growth. It's not just banking to us. We're here to make a difference for your business and we believe that it starts with a great relationship.

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