Stuart Smith

CEO & Owner, Buehler Companies

Stuart Smith began his sales career in the apparel industry but was driven to be an entrepreneur. After speaking with his brother-in-law, who had a small moving company with another partner, he was offered the opportunity to buy out his brother-in-law and entered into the partnership.

It was over a card game that Smith and his partner discovered that Buehler Moving and Storage was for sale. They pursued the deal, purchased the company in 1994 and two years later, Smith bought out his partner and began the expansion of Buehler Companies into Fort Worth, Texas.

“My goal since I began in the moving industry was to always continue to grow,” said Smith. “I’m determined to keep the company diversified so that we can be a one-stop shop for our customers.”

And, that’s what Smith has successfully accomplished. In 2004, Buehler Companies became an agent for United Van Lines. In 2007, Smith purchased another agency in Colorado Springs and in 2010, he purchased Student Movers. By 2015, Smith had opened yet another facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

According to his colleagues, Smith “has been willing to take risks, see the need for diversification, all while taking care of his people.” Since the purchase of Buehler Companies back in 1994, the company has gone from a $1.7 million company to a $33 million company. Smith’s determination to grow the company has been fueled by his willingness to reinvest in the company, as Buehler has purchased six new warehouses in the past ten years.

Smith continues to take risks and talks about further growth and diversification. “We want to be the company that takes care of every type of service that could be asked for and desired within our niche,” he said.

Smith’s leadership style revolves around keeping culture and core values at the forefront of the business model. These values ultimately result in employee retention and client satisfaction. “I believe in doing the right thing, being part of the solution and adhering to such principles is paramount,” said Smith.

Profitability means everybody wins, he said. Smith also believes in sharing those profits. He has used his company resources to help charitable organizations, such as Cops Fight Cancer, the Foodbank of the Rockies, Project Hope, the Boy Scouts of America and Food for Thought.

His efforts have led to Buehler ranking as the fourth largest hauler in the Mayflower Transit. Buehler has also been selected as one of Colorado’s Companies to Watch by CoBiz Magazine and the 2019 Best Moving Company.

According to Smith, the more you give, the more you receive and never ever give up. “I plan to remain influential in the industry by being a mentor and positive force to grow leaders,” he said.

​For his ambition and longstanding success in the moving and storage industry, Smith has been named a Titan 100.