Tay Nguyen is the owner and founder of Kirby's Moving Company, a family-owned and veteran-operated moving company serving Urbandale, Des Moines, and surrounding communities throughout Iowa. Drawing on his military service and professional experience in banking, insurance, logistics, and customer service, Tay brings a practical, people-focused approach to business ownership. His leadership emphasizes teamwork, accountability, and customer satisfaction, with a commitment to helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate relocations with professional support. Inspired by his best friend Kirby Praseuth, Tay has built his business around the values of honesty, commitment, and respect.
Education
Tay Nguyen's professional development has been shaped by his education, military service, and experience across several industries. After immigrating to the United States from Vietnam in 1990, he grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, where he attended North High School. These early experiences helped establish the perseverance and dedication that continue to influence his work today.
In 2002, Tay joined the United States Marine Corps, where he developed leadership, discipline, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Completing three combat tours in Iraq taught him the importance of preparation, accountability, and remaining focused under pressure. These lessons continue to guide his approach to business ownership, particularly when coordinating moving projects and leading a team.
His professional experience in banking, insurance, logistics, and customer service has also contributed to his practical business knowledge. Together, these experiences have provided a foundation for managing operations, communicating with customers, and addressing the challenges that can arise during a move.
Previous Experience/History
Tay's journey to entrepreneurship began with his experiences growing up in Iowa and serving in the military. After graduating from North High School, he joined the United States Marine Corps in 2002 and completed three combat tours in Iraq. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Iowa and transitioned into civilian life, bringing valuable lessons in teamwork, discipline, and leadership with him.
He subsequently worked in the banking and insurance industries, where he gained experience in professional communication, customer relationships, and handling responsibilities that required attention to detail. These roles reinforced the importance of understanding people's needs, earning their trust, and providing dependable service.
Eventually, Tay founded Kirby's Moving Company to bring these principles into the moving industry. The company is family-owned and veteran-operated, serving customers throughout Central Iowa. Its name honors his best friend, Kirby Praseuth, whose entrepreneurial spirit and positive attitude continue to inspire the company's mission.
For Tay, building Kirby's Moving Company means more than providing relocation services. It means creating a business that reflects the values he has developed throughout his life and career. His military background and professional experience have shaped his commitment to accountability, preparation, and treating customers with respect.
Highlights of Current Work
As the owner and founder of Kirby's Moving Company, Tay oversees daily operations and works closely with his team to help ensure each move is completed safely, efficiently, and professionally. He focuses on maintaining service standards, coordinating moving needs, and supporting a customer experience built on clear communication and dependable assistance.
The company serves homeowners, businesses, and organizations with a variety of relocation needs. From household moves to commercial relocations and specialty-item transportation, each project requires careful planning and attention to individual requirements. Tay understands that moving can be a significant undertaking, so he strives to make the process more manageable by helping customers find practical solutions for their circumstances.
He takes pride in the company's focus on exceptional customer service and competitive pricing. Tay believes customers deserve to understand their options and feel supported throughout their moving experience. His team works to provide personalized assistance while treating customers' belongings and property with care.
Another important part of his work is overseeing services for challenging items, including safes, vaults, and pianos. These projects require specialized handling and thoughtful planning. By offering residential, commercial, and specialty moving services, Kirby's Moving Company helps customers throughout the area address a broad range of relocation requirements.
Tay's leadership approach reflects the lessons he learned in the Marine Corps: work as a team, remain accountable, and approach responsibilities with discipline. These principles help shape the company culture and the standards he strives to maintain as the business serves Iowa communities.
Areas of Expertise
Tay's areas of expertise include residential and commercial relocations, logistics planning, specialty-item moving, and customer service. Each requires organization, communication, and the ability to adapt to different circumstances.
Residential moving involves coordinating the needs of individuals and families as they transition between homes. Tay recognizes the importance of planning around customers' belongings, schedules, and expectations while helping make the experience as straightforward as possible.
Commercial relocations require a different approach, particularly when businesses need to move furniture, equipment, and other assets while managing operational demands. His experience across logistics and customer-focused industries informs how he approaches planning, coordination, and communication for these projects.
Tay also has particular knowledge of moving heavy specialty items, including safes, vaults, and pianos. These items require careful handling, suitable equipment, and attention to the challenges involved in transporting them. Understanding these requirements helps him support customers who need more than a standard moving service.
Customer service remains central to all his areas of expertise. Tay believes successful relocations begin with understanding what customers need, communicating expectations clearly, and approaching each project professionally. His goal is to combine practical planning with dependable service so customers can move forward with greater confidence.
Interests/Fun Facts
Outside of work, Tay enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, supporting fellow veterans, and serving the local community. Family is an important part of his life, and these relationships reinforce the values of commitment, responsibility, and respect that he brings to business ownership.
Supporting other veterans is especially meaningful to Tay because of his own experience in the Marine Corps. He values the teamwork and shared responsibility that military service encourages, and he carries those principles into his work with employees and customers.
He is also passionate about leadership, personal growth, and building a company culture centered on honesty, commitment, and respect. Tay believes these values influence how a business operates and how it builds lasting relationships with the people it serves.
Helping people through major life transitions is another meaningful part of his work. A move can mark a new beginning for a family or an important change for a business. Tay appreciates the opportunity to help customers through these transitions and believes every relocation deserves thoughtful planning and professional attention.
The example of his best friend, Kirby Praseuth, continues to inspire Tay to approach business with a positive attitude and an entrepreneurial mindset. Kirby's influence remains an important part of the company's identity and Tay's commitment to serving the community.
Plan Your Next Move With Kirby's Moving Company
Whether you are preparing for a residential relocation, planning a commercial move, or need assistance transporting a specialty item, Kirby's Moving Company is ready to help. Under Tay's leadership, the company is committed to providing professional service, personalized support, and practical moving solutions for customers throughout Urbandale, Des Moines, and surrounding Iowa communities. Visit Kirby's Moving Company to explore available services and
request a free moving estimate. The team is ready to help you approach your next move with confidence.
