Meet Jake Zachariah – Storyteller, Problem-Solver, Industry Insider
Jake Zachariah doesn’t just sell. He listens, connects, and tells stories that move people. With two decades in the multifamily industry—starting from leasing consultant and growing into a storytelling leader at Fetch—Jake knows the pain property managers live through every day.He uses that firsthand knowledge to reframe problems and open doors. His magic trick? Helping customers see themselves in a better future—and say a clear, confident “Hell Yes.”Property Managers Are Drowning in Packages
Jake sets the scene clearly. Property managers, leasing consultants, and frontline teams are stuck managing mountains of packages.What started as a small courtesy—“Sure, you can leave your package at the office”—has exploded into a full-blown operational mess.“Twenty years ago, it was three packages a week. Now it’s 40–50 a day.”Leasing consultants now act as part-time package handlers. No one prepared for this. It’s not in the job description. It doesn’t drive revenue. It burns time, energy, and morale. Leasing offices turn into makeshift warehouses. Lockers break. Package rooms overflow. Carriers drop boxes on tables and leave.“It’s the kind of work that nobody wants, and nobody benefits from.”And still—someone has to fix it.The Industry Keeps Repeating Itself
Jake calls it like it is: property managers try to fix the package problem using outdated tools—lockers, storage rooms, software. But these don’t solve the root issue.“These aren’t solutions. They just shift the mess around.”Even when someone installs a $100K locker system, it fails. One Amazon delivery driver bypasses it, dumps 50 boxes on a table, and walks out. The team still scrambles to clean up the chaos.Jake says these aren't objections to a new solution—they're just signs the buyer hasn’t seen a different story yet.“Buyers don’t want a better version of the same pain. They want out.”“You can add more lockers, more staff, more software. But that’s not a fix. That’s surrender.”The moment you try to sell someone a slightly better locker system or a cleaner package room, you’ve already lost them. Because deep down, they know: the system is broken. You can't tweak your way out.What If the Problem Just... Disappears?
That’s when Jake introduces Fetch. Not as a new tool—but as a new story.Fetch doesn’t offer a better way to manage packages. It removes the problem altogether.Here’s how:- Packages get rerouted to an off-site warehouse (residents receive a unique mailing address).
- Fetch receives the packages, sorts them, and stores them securely.
- Residents schedule delivery using the Fetch app for a specific time window.
- A Fetch driver delivers to the resident’s door—cold storage, heavy items, everything.
- Leasing teams never touch a package again.
Storytelling That Sells Without Pressure
Jake’s approach flips the sales process. He doesn’t pitch. He tells stories. And the buyer becomes the hero.“We’re not here to push. We’re here to help them see the story they’re already in—and how they can win.”He listens for language shifts. When buyers go from saying “We’re managing it” to “We can’t keep doing this,” he knows they’re ready for a change. That’s when he introduces the transformation.“That shift in language? That’s the moment of awakening. That’s when the ‘Hell Yes’ is already on the table.”Instead of arguing through objections, he reframes them with stories:- Already have lockers? He tells the story of the Jacksonville community that installed expensive lockers—and still ended up in chaos.
- Think residents hate change? He reminds them everyone already expects direct-to-door delivery from Amazon and Instacart.
- Worried about budget? Fetch often ends up cost-neutral, even budget-positive. Clients can pass the fee through as a premium amenity.
From Package Chaos to Team Productivity
Jake shares example after example of communities transformed by Fetch:- A student housing property in South Florida faced over 1,000 packages in one day. It took four staff members four days to dig out. With Fetch? The chaos disappeared.
- At mid-rise buildings with no space for lockers, Fetch offers an elegant solution. No construction. No new infrastructure. Just space reclaimed and staff refocused on leasing, service, and resident experience.
3 Lessons from Jake Zachariah
Jake doesn’t just believe in storytelling. He lives it. And his “Hell Yes” moments come from deep conversations and empathy-driven sales.Here are three key takeaways from his approach:1. Different Is Better Than Better
Don't sell small upgrades to broken systems. Sell a new path. Jake repeats a favorite quote:“Different is better than better.” – Sally Hogshead“When we challenge expectations, that’s when real interest shows up.”Fetch doesn’t offer marginal improvement. It offers a clean break. A new way forward.2. Objections Aren’t Walls—They’re Doors
When a buyer says “We already have a solution,” don’t argue. Instead, tell a story.“They just haven’t seen the full picture yet.”Jake uses objections as moments to share examples, offer comparisons, and open minds.3. Listen for Language, Not Just Logic
Buyers signal readiness through subtle shifts in how they speak. Jake trains himself to hear those moments:“When they say, ‘We can’t keep doing this,’ that’s the signal. The ‘Hell Yes’ is already on the table—you just have to help them see it.”“Great salespeople aren’t just talkers. They’re translators of buyer language.”Great sellers don’t just talk. They listen closely—and respond with empathy, not pressure.Conclusion: A New Story for Multifamily Operations
The package problem isn’t going away. In fact, it’s growing. Amazon, TikTok Shop, and Instagram hauls flood buildings with more deliveries every day. E-commerce won’t slow down—and operators can’t keep absorbing the burden.But there’s a better way.Jake Zachariah and the Fetch team don’t just sell a service. They offer relief. They offer transformation. They offer a way out.“You don’t have to defeat package management. We already did that.”“All we ask is that you imagine a better future. We’ll help you walk into it.”All you have to do is imagine a different story—and decide you’re done settling for less.That’s the moment when you say: Hell Yes.Our mission is to simplify the homeowners & home builders customer experience. Let Iris do the work.
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