Strong Box Storage is Lincoln and Omaha’s premier storage facility, offering a secure, state-of-the-art facility complete with plenty of extra amenities. Their on-site offices are open six days a week and offer helpful, friendly staff. Strong Box Storage is also an independent U-Haul dealer and carries a wide variety of moving supplies for sale. Amber Zakaras is the Property Manager of the Strong Box Storage facility in Papillion.
Tell us a little about your business. – Strong Box Storage is a locally owned and operated storage facility with two locations, Lincoln and Papillion. We offer different sizes and types of storage, from temperature controlled to drive up units, and our Lincoln property offers outdoor parking also. Our facilities are different from others because we have a live onsite manager and we offer our customers dumpsters and free pallets as a courtesy to use while they’re renting with us.
How did you get started in the business? – September of 2009 is when I answered a help wanted ad online that indicated the position required living onsite. I called up the number listed and heard a nice lady say Strong Box Storage. I thought to myself can this be right? Why would a storage property need someone to live onsite? Little did I know at the time how life changing that phone call would be. I met with Thomas Friedman, the owner of Strong Box Storage, for about an hour and at the end of our meeting he asked me if I had any other questions. I answered yes just one, what do I need to say for you to give me this job? We both laughed and he said he had other interviews and he’d get back to me, but later that same afternoon I got the call. I started on October 10th 2009 and have been the property manager for both locations since.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Our ever changing economy. Storage is a need, never a want. Keeping this in mind helps me help my customers no matter what the story of why they need our services.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – The U-Haul program offers a Top 100 Dealer award. There are over 17,000 dealers with U-Haul. I’ve been honored with this award twice in Lincoln and four times in Papillion.
Tell us a little about your family. – We are a blended family. I’ve been married to my husband Tony for three years. Not only did I marry Tony but he also came with two wonderful girls, Emily and Kate and in 2013 we welcomed our new addition, Riley. Our little family would not be complete without Sanders and CC, our two cats.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – My mother gave me the best advice when my life was going crazy. She said, “Just breathe” and little did I know she was right. When I get worked up if I just breathe it gives my mind a chance to talk to my heart. I then respond to things from a better place.
What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – We enjoy supporting local Girls Scout troops, including their Soles for Soul shoe drive and pulling their float in the Papillion Days Parade. We look forward to helping them in 2015!
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – I can be reached at our Papillion facility (1502 Bristol Street) at (402) 596-1557 or our Lincoln facility (2701 West O Street) at (402) 476-9292. You can also find us online at www.strongboxstorage.com.