Introducing Tara Flis with Senior Move Solutions
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Tell us about your family?
While I don't have children of my own, having dedicated much of my life to building a meaningful career and exploring the world through travel, family remains at the heart of everything I do. I am an incredibly proud aunt to my two beautiful nieces and cherish every opportunity to spend time with them. I'm also a devoted dog mom to my French Bulldog, Groot, who certainly keeps me on my toes and fills my life with joy. My parents, Jean and Mark, also live in Val Vista Lakes, which allows us to stay closely connected and spend quality time together regularly. No matter where life takes me, family will always be my foundation.
Where were you raised? What schools/college/university did you attend?
I was born and raised in Maple Grove and graduated from Maple Grove High School in 2007. After relocating to Arizona with my parents, I attended Arizona State University, where I earned a degree in Business Communications from the W. P. Carey School of Business. The move gave me the opportunity to build a new life in Arizona while maintaining the strong family values and work ethic that have shaped who I am today.
Tell us about your pets?
At the heart of my daily routine is Groot, my six year old French Bulldog. Quirky, playful, and incredibly loving, he keeps me laughing and on my toes every day. Groot has been my loyal companion through many of life's transitions and adventures over the years, providing constant love, comfort, and companionship. He truly means the world to me and is an important part of my life.
What do you do professionally?
As the founder of Senior Move Solutions and Settle Simply, I am passionate about helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of moving and relocation. Both companies are committed to providing expert guidance, practical solutions, and compassionate support during life's major transitions, empowering clients to move forward with confidence, clarity, and peace of mind.
Settle Simply focuses on helping homeowners prepare for a successful move and home sale. We coordinate the many moving pieces involved in relocation, including decluttering, packing, clean-outs, donations, estate sale coordination, and connecting clients with trusted resources to get their homes market-ready. By partnering with exceptional real estate professionals, including agents like Barbi King, we help ensure homes are prepared, listed, and sold as efficiently as possible.
Senior Move Solutions specializes in helping seniors and their families through the often emotional process of downsizing and relocating. We provide comprehensive support every step of the way, from helping clients decide what to keep, donate, or sell, to packing, moving, unpacking, organizing, and setting up their new home. Our goal is to reduce stress and ensure a smooth, dignified transition into the next chapter of life.
What began as a passion for helping people through challenging transitions has grown into a mission-driven business built on compassion, organization, and service. Whether assisting a senior downsizing after decades in a family home or helping a homeowner prepare a property for sale, our team is committed to making the process seamless, supportive, and stress-free.
At the heart of both companies is a simple belief: major life transitions don't have to be overwhelming when you have the right guidance and support.
What began as a solo venture in South Bay Manhattan Beach in 2023 took a major turn in 2024 when I relocated to Phoenix and effectively restarted the business from the ground up in a completely new market. Since then, it has grown into a thriving company with a dedicated team of more than ten employees who share a commitment to exceptional service and compassionate care.
For me, this business represents far more than professional success. Every day, we have the privilege of helping families through what can often be an overwhelming and emotional process. Our mission is to reduce stress, provide guidance, and create a smooth transition from one chapter of life to the next.
We offer comprehensive move management services, handling every aspect of the transition from start to finish. This includes helping clients decide what to keep, donate, sell, or discard; coordinating packing and moving; unpacking and organizing their new home; setting up furniture, artwork, and televisions; arranging estate sales; coordinating donations and clean-outs; and preparing properties for sale. We also work closely with carefully selected real estate professionals and oversee the final handoff of the property, ensuring every detail is managed with care.
Our goal is simple: to provide peace of mind while helping people and their families move forward with confidence and support.
What are your favorite hobbies or activities?
Outside of my professional life, I am happiest when I’m outdoors, exploring new destinations, and creating lasting memories through new experiences. I have a deep love for the water, and spending a day out on a boat is one of my favorite ways to relax and recharge. I’m also always up for an adventure. This past winter, I tried riding side by sides through the sand dunes, and it quickly became a new favorite hobby. I’m a big foodie as well and love discovering new restaurants, whether it’s a hidden local gem or a unique dining experience in a new city. Ultimately, if you get me outside doing something active, adventurous, and fun, with great food somewhere along the way, you’ll see me at my absolute happiest.
What is your favorite type of music?
I have a deep appreciation for classic rock, especially the music from my parents' generation. In my opinion, that era of rock and roll was truly special and impossible to recreate. I'm a huge fan of REO Speedwagon and Fleetwood Mac, and their music is always on my playlist.
I also love country music and jazz, and I'm drawn to just about anything that showcases talented musicians and great instrumentation. Whether it's a powerful guitar solo, a soulful saxophone, or a beautifully arranged live performance, I appreciate music that highlights the artistry of the instruments as much as the vocals.
What is your favorite restaurant?
That really depends on the city! Here in Gilbert, some of my favorites are Blue Wasabi, Buck & Rider, and OHSO Brewery's brunch. I love great sushi and tacos, but for me, dining out is about more than just the food. Atmosphere, ambiance, and the overall experience are just as important.
I'm always researching new restaurants and looking for hidden gems to try. As someone who loves to cook, I especially enjoy ordering dishes that I haven't learned to make myself or know I could never quite replicate at home. Sushi is a perfect example—I love it, but I can confidently say I have not yet mastered the art of making it myself!
Whether it's an upscale dining experience, a cozy local favorite, or a fun spot with a great patio, I'm always excited to discover somewhere new and memorable.
What are your favorite movies or television shows?
I am absolutely obsessed with documentaries and anything that gives me the opportunity to learn something new. Whether it's history, business, science, travel, or human-interest stories, I'm always drawn to content that teaches me something and expands my perspective. I often joke that I've probably watched every documentary available on Netflix and most other streaming services as well!
On the other end of the spectrum, I have a soft spot for kids' movies and Disney classics. Some of my favorite moments are spending time with my two nieces and sister, watching Disney movies together, and experiencing the magic through their eyes. It's the perfect combination of quality family time, laughter, and nostalgia.
My viewing habits are definitely a mix of lifelong learning and embracing my inner kid and I wouldn't have it any other way.
What do you like to do to relax?
I enjoy slowing down at home with Groot and spending time unwinding in simple, restorative ways. I love visiting my favorite spa for a massage, practicing Pilates, and getting outside whenever I can to enjoy fresh air and movement.
I do tend to feel like I’ve earned my downtime after working hard, something my parents would probably describe as a strong work ethic. I’m very passionate about health and wellness, and I try to prioritize habits that help me feel balanced and energized.
Time to myself is something I truly value and appreciate whenever I can make space for it.
Do you have a family tradition that you'd like to share?
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It’s a rare chance for everything to slow down and for our family to come together around the dinner table.
Our tradition is simple: my dad cooks Thanksgiving dinner, I happily enjoy it, and we spend the rest of the day relaxing, no big plans, just being together. Afterward, we usually take Groot out for a walk.
I really love those uncomplicated days centered around family, good food, and being present with the people I care about most.
What would you like the readers to know about you?
I strive to bring excellence and intention to everything I do. I’m always working toward making life feel a little less complicated and a lot more meaningful, finding ways to simplify the complex whenever possible, both personally and professionally.
What is your favorite vacation or vacation destination?
I love traveling the world and have been fortunate to visit places like Thailand, Croatia, Greece, Russia, Germany, Sweden, and Estonia, to name just a few.
My favorite destinations are anywhere along the Mediterranean Sea. There’s something about the combination of beautiful coastlines, rich history, incredible food, and relaxed pace of life that always draws me back. It’s the kind of setting that feels both inspiring and grounding at the same time.
Where did you move here from? What neighborhood do you live in and how long have you lived there?
I was born and raised in Maple Grove, Minnesota. After high school, my parents and I moved to Arizona to escape the cold winters. I attended Arizona State University and gained early work experience before eventually venturing off to California to experience the “California dream.”
In 2017, I moved to Santa Monica to start a new chapter in my life. To make a long story short, I’m glad I made the move and equally glad to have returned. During my time in California, I met incredible people, took on new and challenging roles, and grew both personally and professionally.
In 2024, I relocated from Redondo Beach to Val Vista Lakes. That entire journey ultimately helped me realize I wanted to build something of my own, which led to starting my company.
What is your favorite part about living in Val Vista Lakes?
There are two things I love most about living in Val Vista Lakes. First, the people are incredibly social, welcoming, and easy to connect with. I’m especially happy that my parents, Mark and Jean, also live here; they’ve truly been blessed to build so many wonderful relationships in the community.
Second, I love the natural beauty of the neighborhood. The tree-lined streets and lush green canopy make it feel like home in the best way. We live in the northwest section near the Beach Club, surrounded by mature ficus and pine trees, which makes the area feel peaceful and private.
Walking around the lakes is one of my favorite ways to unwind. It’s calm, relaxing, and such a beautiful part of everyday life here.
To learn more about Senior Move Solutions check out https://www.seniormovesus.com or call 310-905-2809.