Peter Breslin: A Unique Opportunity
By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO — Not long after moving to San Francisco from his home country of Ireland, Peter Breslin was given a unique opportunity to become a business owner. “I came to the United States when I was 25 and immediately started working in the moving industry,” he recounts. “During the next couple of years, I became friends with the owner of the company I worked for. He wanted to get out of the business, so he gave me the opportunity to buy it from him. I’ve been running things ever since—well over 30 years.”
Today, as owner of A1 Transfer Moving & Storage, Peter says his favorite part of his job is taking care of customers. “I enjoy meeting new customers, learning how we can help them and providing them with value. It feels very satisfying to earn their trust and put them at ease about their moves.”
A resident of Burlingame (where he lives with his wife, Elli), Peter spends his time outside of work on a variety of pastimes. “I enjoy playing golf, reading and watching Premier League soccer,” he details. “I also love music and enjoy attending opera and symphony performances in San Francisco.” Additionally, Peter likes taking trips to different countries and getting immersed in their unique cultures and histories.
In his life and career, Peter espouses the value of staying true to yourself. “When I first came to the U.S., I thought there was an ‘American way’ to do business—basically, to get out there, fight for it and not take any nonsense. After a couple of years, I realized this approach was completely alien to the way I wanted to live my life and that I’d do better by staying true to myself and my values. Honesty, fairness, trust—all of these things are so important when you’re running a business and dealing with customers. It’s not about the money; it’s about taking care of people and giving them quality experiences.”
When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Peter says he’d take a break. “I work six, sometimes seven days a week, and that kind of puts you in a mode where you’re constantly on. While I take a lot of pride in my work and responsibility, there are times when I’d like to have a break. So, if I were to retire tomorrow, I’d probably go play some golf with my buddies and then make plans to do some traveling.”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: Are you an early bird or a night owl?
A: An early bird.
Q: What’s your favorite Premier League soccer team?
A: Manchester United.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: Japan, China, India, Russia—it’s hard to pick one.
Q: What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
A: I like to go for a walk in the rain and enjoy nature.
Q: What’s your favorite book?
A: “Against All Hope” by Armando Valladares. The author writes about his experience as a political prisoner in one of Castro’s gulags, and it’s pretty amazing to read about what he endured and how he survived.
Read moreRead less
