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With 27 Years of Military Service Under His Belt, One Honorable Marine Turns to Franchise Ownership for His Newest Challenge
Col. Gary L. Willison of Virginia devoted 27 years of his life to serving his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. From deploying in a multitude of overseas tours to acting as a flight instructor, squadron commander and later as a faculty member of the National War College, Willison’s honorable career, in which he accumulated over 4,500 military flight hours while on active duty, has been recognized with multiple awards. When he decided to retire from the military, Willison chose to pursue business ownership for his next adventure.
Choosing a Franchise that Meets the Demands of Customers Today and Tomorrow
“After the better part of three decades as a military officer in the defense world, I was eager for a new challenge,” Willison explained.
He did a lot of reading, attended a franchise expo, visited multiple franchises, and “discovered that The UPS Store franchise provides more services than most people realize. I also recognized that there will always be fantastic potential for growth. During my last few years on active duty, I learned more and more about globalization. The concept of The UPS Store providing a ‘portal to the world’ for a small-business owner appealed to me. It still does.” Willison opened his The UPS Store franchise on Sept 20, 2005.
The UPS Store offers a wide range of services to small businesses and consumers including; domestic and international shipping; full-service packing; mailbox services with a real street address; document services, fax, scanning, and notary services; office and packaging supplies and more. The franchise was listed as one of the top 10 franchises by Entrepreneur magazine in 2009, and has been listed as the #1 franchise opportunity in the postal and business services category for 19 consecutive years by the magazine*. The brand is nationally recognized, and has nearly 4,400 locations throughout the country.
*1990 – 2003 listed under Mail Boxes Etc.
A Great Business for Military Veterans
Willison feels that the organizational and leadership skills he acquired in the military have been a great help to him in his new role. He explained, “In the military, you acquire the ability to set goals, develop and communicate plans, prioritize tasks, and delegate responsibility while constantly reassessing the results.” These skills have played a large part in Willison’s success as a business owner.
The UPS Store is the #1 franchise among veterans in the Vet-Fran Program and the company is proud to offer veterans a discount on the franchise fee.
No Previous Industry Experience is Necessary
The UPS Store provides franchisees with marketing tools, award-winning** training, and site selection assistance. Plus, representatives from the company guide new franchisees through operations, marketing, and provide on-going support, so no previous business ownership or industry experience is needed.
Willison’s transition to business owner was a smooth one as he recalls, “For me, the transition seemed routine. In a lot of ways, it was just like a new set of orders without a household move. Training and support, particularly from the area representatives has been outstanding.”
**American Society for Training & Development, Peak Award 2007
Valuable Services and a Trusted Brand
Business has been good for Willison, who operates with as many as 10 employees during the busy holiday season. Even during tough economic times, the services that The UPS Store offers are invaluable to customers. Willison has even noticed some increases in business. “In general, I believe customers are concerned about the economy. That being said, when gas prices get higher, more people tend to ship items to their relatives because it is less expensive than driving. For example, I have witnessed an increase in shipping by grandparents to their grandchildren. In the past, they may have visited – now they ship the presents instead. I have also noticed an increase in mailbox [services] as more people are starting home-based businesses,” he explained.
The UPS Store stands out from the crowd and is trusted by loyal customers across the country. “Just as the Marine Corps emblem is recognized worldwide, so is the UPS logo. The UPS name is a powerful marketing tool and it definitely sets us apart.”
Willison is proud to recommend The UPS Store franchise to other military veterans and explained that, “While business ownership isn’t for everyone, I feel that people with the proper mindset can be successful. Military retirees, under the right circumstances, are in a unique position. They have pensions and benefits at a relatively young age which may allow them to continue to support themselves as the business gets up and running.” |
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