From One Move to 120 Totes: The Story Behind Totes on Loan

Every small business has an origin story. Ours started with a move that never actually happened — and a question that wouldn't go away: "Why is nobody doing this?"

It Started with an RV

My husband David and I have always been what you'd call "cereal entrepreneurs" — we can't help ourselves. We see a gap and we want to fill it.

Our first business was Be Still RV Rentals. We rented out campers for camping trips. It was fun, it was scrappy, and it taught us a lot about running a service business in Fort Wayne. But there was one problem: we live in a subdivision, and the HOA said no RVs on the property. So we stored them off-site, which worked — until we started dreaming about a place with land where we could keep everything at home.

That's when we started planning a move.

The Cardboard Problem

As we started planning our own move, I did what everyone does: I started looking for boxes. And what I found was frustrating.

Cardboard boxes are expensive for what they are. You have to build them, tape them, label them, and then break them all down when you're done — only to have a mountain of cardboard sitting at the curb waiting for recycling day. They collapse if they get wet. They rip if you overpack them. And if you've ever tried to carry a big box down a flight of stairs, you know it's a two-person job at minimum.

I thought, "There has to be a better way." So I looked for moving tote rentals in Fort Wayne.

There weren't any.

The closest company was in Indianapolis. Fort Wayne — the second-largest city in Indiana — had zero options for reusable moving tote rentals. That felt like a sign.

What If We Just... Bought the Totes?

David and I talked it over. We were going to need moving supplies anyway. What if we bought enough totes for our own move — plus a whole lot more — and turned it into a business?

We crunched the numbers, looked at what other cities were doing, and realized this could actually work. People want an easier, cleaner, more eco-friendly way to move. They just didn't have the option.

So we bought 120 totes. We figured that would cover our move and give us enough inventory to start renting out.

And Then the Move Didn't Happen

Here's the funny part: we never moved.

Life happened, plans changed, and we decided to stay put. But by that point, the totes had already arrived. The website was live. And the first few customers had already booked.

So I thought, "Well, I guess we're doing this now."

And honestly? I'm so glad we did. What started as a solution to our own problem turned into something way bigger than a single move.

Why I Love This Business

Totes on Loan isn't just about renting plastic boxes. It's about making one of the most stressful life events — moving — just a little bit easier.

I deliver the totes right to your door. You pack them at your own pace. I pick them up when you're done. No building boxes, no fighting with tape, no cardboard mountain at the curb. Just stack, pack, and go.

And the best part? Every tote gets reused. No waste. No guilt. Just a cleaner move.

What's Next

Since we launched in August 2025, we've already tripled our initial tote inventory. We serve families, realtors, apartment complexes, and businesses across Allen County and beyond. We've met incredible people at networking events, community events like Eco Fest, and through referrals from happy customers.

I'm a mom of two young girls, and I run this business in the cracks of my day — between school drop-offs and karate pickups and all the beautiful chaos of family life. It's not always easy, but it's always worth it.

If you're moving soon, I'd love to help make it easier. That's the whole point of Totes on Loan — one less thing to worry about on moving day.

Ready to Move Smarter?

Totes on Loan delivers reusable moving totes right to your door. We deliver, you pack, we pick up. No boxes, no tape, no waste.

Get a free quote at totesonloan.com.