July 1, 2020 marked the ten-year anniversary of Michael’s Messenger Service (MMS). The firm, founded by Portland area resident Michael Eshelby, provides courier and messenger services for hospitals, medical centers, long-term care facilities, labs, banks and credit unions, utilities, and businesses of all kinds.
“It is amazing to see how far we’ve come in ten short years,” Eshelby said. “I cannot believe how fast our team and the business has grown. And how welcoming and loyal our client base is.”
According to Eshelby, the founding of MMS came about with a burst of inspiration while pondering his future at a rest stop south of Portland.
“I had reached an important inflection point in my life,” he says. “As I sat looking out over the surrounding landscape contemplating my life’s purpose, it dawned on me I had two key influencing factors: a reliable car and a love for driving. I shared that epiphany with a friend and he helped me set up the business and get cards printed. I went door-to-door — to churches, businesses, government offices — asking people if they needed anything delivered.
My first big break came a year later, in 2011, when I picked-up my first regular delivery assignment. And it has been a fast-paced ride ever since.”
Michael’s Messenger Service’s consistent growth trajectory was fueled by a thriving client base in the Oregon, Washington, and Idaho markets. In addition, it was augmented by servicing accounts for other courier businesses needing specific trade area support.
“A number of logistics firms discovered they could service customers within our trade area more effectively by partnering with us. Our business model based on agility, accuracy, and accessibility works well for firms that require established, scheduled routes and on-demand services.”
In 2019 one of those channel partners decided to shutter their package and parcel business unit. Since MMS was already servicing a number of its clients, shifting the relationships over was a relatively seamless process. At the same time Eshelby brought in industry expert Stephanie Gerard as Vice-President to oversee business development and account management. The move nearly doubled revenues.
“Adding Stephanie, and later Steve Nelson as Business Development Director in Idaho, gave us valuable expertise with over 40 years experience in the logistics industry. They understand every aspect of the courier business — how integrating people, process, and technology facilitates overall operations. We are growing even faster now without missing a beat in terms of giving our clients the first-rate service they’ve come to appreciate and expect.”
Despite the amazing success of Michael’s Messenger Service, Eshelby remains a rather humble, down to earth executive. You are more likely to find him wearing a hoodie and cargo shorts than coat and tie. And he still satisfies his love of driving by servicing a number of the more taxing routes and maintains he would never ask any of the firms independent contract drivers to do anything he wouldn’t do himself. All while managing the business.
“I think better behind the wheel of a car than I do behind a desk,” he says with a smile. “I really do love to drive and that is the common mindset shared by all of our vendors. It is why we find it so easy to deliver on our promises, because it gives us great joy in the process.”
The fast-paced expansion of MMS is even opening-up new opportunities in Colorado, California, and Nevada. “Our team is really doing a great job of keeping things on an even keel,” Eshelby adds. “We are taking great strides in carefully building the business and ensuring we stay in close touch with our clients. I put my name on the business because I personally stand behind our service. Our vision is to be the world’s premier courier service and that is a goal worth pursuing.”
After meeting Michael Eshelby, that vision doesn’t seem out of reach in the slightest.