Many business owners understand the benefits of long-standing relationships. For Tony Gallo, owner of Gallo Moving & Storage in Milford, this truth extends to his partnership with his business banker, Shefali Desai.
When Tony Gallo bought and rebranded Gallo Moving & Storage in 2005, one of his most important business decisions wasn’t just about trucks or trailers — it was about people. Specifically, building a lasting partnership with business banker Shefali Desai at Rockland Trust.
The pair initially met through the Tri-County Regional Chamber of Commerce and bonded over their mutual passion for supporting the community, and in particular, the small businesses that create its foundation. In the years since, Tony has turned to Shefali for her business banking expertise that has helped him expand his fleet and increase the efficiency of his operations.
Today, Gallo Moving & Storage has grown to include 20 moving trucks and 25 trailers for both household and commercial moving, locally and out-of-state, in addition to offering storage services in Milford.
A Trusted Advisor Behind Major Moves
For several years, Gallo Moving & Storage operated as a successful business, serving everyone from first-time homeowners to major Boston-based hospital systems. But to keep growing and meet rising demand, Tony needed to scale and improve his operations. That’s when his relationship with Shefali came to a true turning point.
What started with a line of credit to purchase new trucks and equipment quickly evolved into a long-term partnership built on trust, transparency, and shared vision. Over the years, Shefali has helped Tony secure financing for critical upgrades — including a weigh station to streamline logistics for his drivers. More recently, in 2022 and 2023, Tony was able to acquire two other businesses with the support of Shefali, which helped to further expand the capabilities and reach of Gallo Moving & Storage.
From vetting financial decisions to weighing risk scenarios together, Tony views Shefali as an essential part of his decision-making team.
Transparency and Honest Business Pave the Way
Through their business relationship and work with the Chamber of Commerce, both have doubled down on an important truth for small, local businesses: a strong partnership starts with good, honest business practices and advice.
Tony said it’s one of the reasons he’s continued to work closely with Shefali throughout the years. “She understands our business, and she’s just very straightforward, always honest,” Tony said. “I never get a story. I never get strung along. I never get false hope. There’s always a discussion.”
Shefali’s consistency and transparency allowed Tony to secure financing for the acquisitions after multiple conversations about different cash flow scenarios, eventually settling on an option that worked for every party involved.
During these conversations, Tony knew he could count on Shefali to tell him what would or wouldn’t work. “I know she’ll always give me a straight answer. It’s not always what I want to hear, but it’s the answer I need to hear. So, from there, we can make a plan.”
Shefali explained that the consistency of their trust and relationship is the bread and butter of their working partnership. That’s the kind of business relationship, Tony said, that he hopes to have with his own customers.
Relationships Carry Through to Customers and Community
Like finances, moving is very personal and can be stressful; like choosing a banking partner, people need to trust the moving business they’ve selected to take care of their personal items. And like Rockland Trust, Tony understands that each relationship matters in creating an environment of trust with customers. “Every single job, to us, is important,” Tony said. “It’s important to the person that we’re moving, so it has to be important to us.”
Tony’s understanding and appreciation for each relationship, Shefali said, make him a valued customer and even friend. “Our partnership is not only helping each other, or I help Tony, and that’s the end of it,” Shefali said. “I believe in him. I believe in his business, his management skills, and his staff. I know they’re trustworthy, and I feel that way about all of our customers. I believe in them, and we as a community-focused organization do whatever we can to help them succeed.”
Good Partners — and Advisors — Make All the Difference
The relationships between business owners and their team of advisors are key to lasting, strong businesses. Finding the right business banking partner can help your small business achieve what you’ve dreamed of, from getting off the ground to growth, expansion, and more.
Looking for a trusted team that believes in you and your business goals? Contact our team of business banking specialists.
