From Garage to Global: How International Express Shipping Fuels Small Business Growth

Christian Calzadilla

Marketing & Communications Specialist, DHL Express Americas

October 21, 2025 5 min read

For small businesses, growth often feels like a race. Along the way, there are plenty of curves to navigate, from tariffs and rising shipping costs to customs processes and supply chain surprises. Once a product hits its stride with domestic customers, leveling up and expanding globally means overcoming the complexities of international shipping. These hurdles can test the agility of your business, but they don’t have to slow you down. Because we love seeing our customers accelerate towards success, in this article, we’ll show you how Camp Snap used fast international express shipping to stay ahead of the curve. We hope it inspires small businesses like yours to take the wheel and cruise to global growth with confidence.

The Camp Snap Story

Camp Snap is on a mission to help people live in the moment, and less on their screens. Inspired by their own children’s smartphone-free summer camp experience, founder Brian Waldman created a screen-free digital camera that lets kids capture memories while staying fully engaged with the world around them.

Designed to mimic a 2000s disposable film camera, Camp Snap combines simplicity, a vintage aesthetic, and digital convenience without the distraction of a screen. The result is a device that helps people focus on the moment and experience the joy of delayed gratification when they see their photos later. “Camp Snap isn’t just a camera,” Brian explained. “It’s a reminder that sometimes the best technology is the one that lets you put your phone down and actually live the experience.”

Small Business. Big Shipping Challenges.

What began as a garage project to create a summer camp-approved digital camera soon sparked viral interest among parents, campers, and retro-tech enthusiasts. For customers, the appeal is obvious: nostalgia, simplicity, and creativity. As a business, the challenge was scaling demand beyond the U.S. market.

How do you get products manufactured overseas to destinations in the U.S. and around the world? How do you keep up with international demand and make sure shipments reach their destinations efficiently - without leaving customers waiting weeks for shipments? And how do you manage tariffs, customs clearance, and shipping costs in a way that keeps operations lean?

Collage of Camp Snap camera delivered by DHL Express

The Express Shipping Advantage

Just as in racing, where speed and reliability are everything, logistics is the engine that can propel a small business across the finish line. In DHL Express, Camp Snap found a comprehensive shipping solution - with a wide range of shipping services and discounted rates for small businesses. Here are 7 ways Camp Snap used international express shipping to propel themselves to the global stage.

1. New markets & new growth opportunities

For small businesses, it's easy to hit a growth ceiling when you’re limited to selling domestically. With DHL’s support, Camp Snap was able to shift into a higher gear, transforming from a U.S.-based, family-run garage project into a rising global brand.

DHL’s competitive shipping rates and seamless customs clearance processes opened the doors for Camp Snap to expand into the European market. "We’ve sold over 750,000 cameras overall and are now selling our products in over 100 stores across Europe, something that simply wouldn’t have been possible without a trusted logistics partner," explained Brian. Today, the company’s cameras are enjoyed by kids, parents, teachers, travelers, and festivalgoers around the world.

2. Reliable shipping worldwide

DHL helps connect small businesses like Camp Snap to customers around the world. With DHL, Camp Snap can move inventory quickly and reliably, keeping up with growing demand.

DHL’s international shipping and customs expertise has ensured that their shipments clear customs seamlessly and avoid costly delays, even in an environment of shifting tariffs and regulations. And with a network that spans 220 countries and territories, Camp Snap has been empowered to easily ship products to customers in North America, the European Union, the UK, and beyond.

“As a small business with overseas manufacturing, we rely on DHL for almost all our incoming inventory. They’re the link that keeps our supply chain moving smoothly, so we can focus on making a great product for kids everywhere.” - Brian Waldman, Founder

3. Satisfy global customers

In the world of e-commerce, speed is everything. Customers want their orders now, not in three weeks. By using DHL Express, Camp Snap has been able to ensure that its European customers receive products within days, not months.

"Our partnership with DHL has been absolutely critical in helping us gain speed toward new markets and customers," said Brian.

4. Reduce Customer Service Calls

Shipping delays are one of the top reasons customers call for support. Every late delivery adds stress for a small business with limited resources. DHL’s consistent reliability means fewer headaches. Providing customers with clear shipping details and tracking through its On Demand Delivery service also helps minimize confusion and further reduces support inquiries.

"For a small business like ours, having this level of reliability and reach is game-changing," shared Brian. "DHL has given us the ability to expand globally while still maintaining the same level of service our customers expect." DHL’s on-time performance has helped reduce Camp Snap's customer service calls by 30%.

5. Fuel Brand Growth

DHL isn’t just a logistics partner: it’s a brand amplifier. Thanks to our Ultimate Small Business INDYCAR Sweepstakes, Camp Snap won the opportunity to see their logo appear on the No. 10 DHL Honda driven by 4x IndyCar champion Alex Palou. For a small business owner like founder Brian Waldman, this kind of visibility was as thrilling as crossing the finish line in first place. “It’s an unbelievable feeling. Seeing the Camp Snap logo on the No. 10 DHL driven by Alex Palou, a world-class driver and champion, is something I never imagined when we were building cameras in our garage. It’s surreal.”

Seeing Camp Snap take center stage at a major IndyCar race shows how DHL delivers more than packages. It delivers brand impact. Fast shipping can reinforce a company’s reputation for reliability, trustworthiness, and consistency in the eyes of customers. By ensuring orders arrive on time, anywhere in the world, DHL helps small businesses like Camp Snap build credibility, satisfy customers, and grow their brand reputation with confidence.

Camp Snap founder, Brian Waldman with No. 10 DHL IndyCar driver Alex Palou

6. Ship Seamlessly with E-commerce Platforms

Many small businesses often look to expand internationally by selling on online marketplaces and running ecommerce businesses, which introduces new shipping and logistics challenges. DHL's integration with popular e-commerce marketplaces and platforms helps businesses save on shipping costs and streamline their order and shipping management, making managing international product fulfillment seamless.

By shipping with DHL through Shopify and Ship Station, Camp Snap was able to automate their international shipping processes, print shipping labels, and manage shipments efficiently, making it easier to fulfill orders as demand increased.

7. Save with Small Business Shipping Discounts

By opening a business account and leveraging DHL’s lower shipping rates for businesses, Camp Snap benefits from competitive rates on fast international shipping that allows them to keep retail prices affordable while delivering to overseas buyers quickly.

"DHL has made it possible for us to serve clients overseas with confidence, thanks to competitive rates and reliable service," shared Brian.

How DHL Express Fuels Small Businesses Growth Camp Snap

The Race to the Future

Camp Snap’s story is a reminder that for small businesses, the road to growth is more a marathon than a sprint: but the right partners help you go the distance. With DHL Express handling logistics, Camp Snap is free to focus on designing new products, building community partnerships, and expanding its mission of screen-free living.

And with fast international express shipping as the engine powering their logistics strategy, Camp Snap founder Brian Waldman is confident his business can stay ahead of the competition. Reflecting on his experience, he said: "This showed us what’s possible for a small, family-run business on a big stage. And now, we’re excited to carry that energy into everything we do next."