Allow me to start with a short but true story about leaving two jackets on a van shuttling from a very nice Lisbon hotel en route to the airport. It was easy to reach the tour operator who said she would get the jackets back to said hotel. The hard part was returning them to the U.S.A. (The hotel representative said DHL or FedEx were the options).
Visits to two local Fed Ex depots proved fruitless. A call to DHL revealed that there was a facility with a live human being in MILTON! It’s in the Food Lion shopping center.
Milton Mail Boxes represents both DHL and FedEx and provides many other services such as passport photos and applications, shredding, printing, faxing, copying, and key duplicates. Need an inexpensive print for a wall? That too! There is even a candy machine in case your sweet tooth gets the best of you while mailing a parcel.
The 27-year-old owner Zachary Gaudlip, who looks much younger, spent about two hours helping me in between other customers, many of whom he knew by name. When DHL didn’t work, he switched to FedEx. After making numerous phone calls and carefully scrutinizing shipping instructions, he succeeded in getting the package shipped.
Two things were clear during that encounter. He was not giving up until his customer (me) was satisfied and he really cares about his customers in general.
“A lot of my customers are seniors and I love them all, even when they make me do everything on their phones for them”, he said with a wink. “But I believe in teaching, so I take the time to teach them what I’m doing whenever I am able.
His persistence might stem from several factors. About a year and a half ago, he landed a position on a professional German soccer team, not an easy feat for an American. A scout recruited him while he was playing on a team in Florida. He says a year living in Europe gave him a different perspective on life such as how to be independent, how to fight for what he wanted and be willing to outwork and out-improve others. Although not a coach, he works with young local soccer players by “using my knowledge and experience to help them develop and maximize their gifts,” he says.
The business major decided to purchase Milton Mail Boxes from a family friend in May 2022 after his stint with the soccer world and upon concluding that the lifestyle he was living wasn’t what he wanted long term for his family and future family. “I realized if I wanted a different result I needed to change,” he said. “I decided to reinvent myself and jump into owning a traditional business with the love and support of family and friends,” he added. “I was convinced that we could grow the business and add to its success”.
Zach admits that business ownership is hard, but he says his favorite part is the creativity and the freedom to make improvements, try things out and, if he fails, try again. He prides himself on going above and beyond for his customers.
One of them, Milton resident Susanne Fox noted “he is always so cheerfully helpful. It is a pleasure to do business there” Fox is the founder of the Delmarva Travel Club.
Zach grew up in Lewes but spent much of his younger years in Milton and he has a strong sense of “giving back”. Milton Mail Boxes is the title sponsor for the Milton Holly Festival on December 10.
“We decided to sponsor the Hollyfest because we believe in this community and we feel we can help make it better,” he said. “It should be a fun event, and everyone should
go!” (Learn more about the Holly Festival)
What fun it is to do life in Sussex, with so many amazing people adding value all around us!
By Mary Jo Tarallo, Guest Journalist
Mary Jo Tarallo spent much of her career in public relations with various non-profits and spent 40 years involved with the ski industry as a journalist, public relations director for a national trade association and as executive director of the Learn to Ski and Snowboard initiative. Prior to her ski industry involvement she worked for the Maryland International Center in Baltimore and United Way of Central Maryland. She won a Gold Award for TV programming for a United Way simulcast that starred Oprah Winfrey. She has been cited for her work by numerous organizations. Mary Jo grew up in Baltimore, attended the University of Maryland and Towson University, lived in Washington, DC for 21 years and has been a full time resident of Rehoboth Beach and Milton since May 2019.
Awesome story about Zac! We always try to support local independent businesses & we’ve always had good experiences at the Milton Mail Box – prior to his ownership and since. SO wonderful to get to know him a little better!