Meet the milkman

He was working as a developer for Kodak when he decided he wanted his own business. He thought the sooner he started the better. Food service had always been an interest so Michal looked into catering but it didn’t seem to quite fit.

While in the shower one day he remembered when he was growing up in Palo Alto, they had their milk delivered by a milkman. He wondered if people still did that.

Michal contacted the farm that delivered to his family as a boy and pitched the idea. The farm no longer delivered milk but did contract out to individuals in certain areas. Michal discussed the area and once there was a demand the farm would direct the people to him. It all started small enough. The first couple months the orders were so small he could put them in his backpack and drive his motorcycle to the homes.

Over the years the route grew to hundreds, some homes, some businesses mostly in the Palo Alto area. Now Michal has multiple milkmen working for him and his day begins at 4:30 a.m. to oversee it all.

"I’ve had fun since the day I started. Even the worst day has been a very satisfying day,” he said.

Michal describes his job as visiting friends. When you routinely go to someone’s house each day for an extended period of time they become your friends, he said. And he’s been invited to many holiday parties and get-togethers as a result.

"I built a business that really blurs the line of work and play,” he said.

Fondly, Michal remembered helping a 93-year-old man. Each time he would stop by, he would walk in the front door, say hello and maybe do a few errands for the man like change a light bulb. But one day Michal entered and things were different. The television wasn’t on and he just knew things weren’t right. He called out for the man and looked for him everywhere Turns out the older man had taken a spill the day before and was on the ground. He had one of those help call buttons but told Michal he didn’t need to push it. He knew if he could just wait until today Michal would be there to help.

For two years Mona Vertin received milk delivers once a week from Michal. She was at a friend’s house one day who used the service and she got excited. As a mom it’s horrible to run out of milk and she liked the idea.

"For me the delivery has become secondary and the friendship is more important now. I will always want to know Michal,” she said.

For more information about Michal the Milkman visit www.michalthemilkman.com or call 740-1724.