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A business for all seasons
By Toni Martin
I was looking for a business that would not "break the bank," so-to-speak during the start-up phase. I needed to find a business that was not cyclical in nature and could weather a slowdown in the economy. I found it. What I discovered was a business with extremely low overhead, absolutely no inventory and the benefit of residual income. I wonder why more people are not taking advantage of this unique business opportunity; I have a feeling that available franchise territories won't last long! |
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Salt Lake City, Utah based Express One, is most likely the lowest overhead businesses I have come
 In addition to treating its clients like Fortune 500 shippers, Express One had the ability to save its customers up to 50 percent on various freight moves. |
across in twenty years! They fall into the category of overnight mail services (freight reselling). I discovered that this business is perfect for the individual(s) who want to office out of their home or small office suite. All you need a PC, dot matrix printer, laser jet, cellular phone, as well as a few office supplies. The concept is simple and very similar to the long distance industry. This is a sales based business. As the owner/operator you must take your business to the customer. In contrast, if you are a franchise owner of Mail Boxes Etc.™, PostNet™or any other "retail-type" mail service business, you rely on the customer to come to your store and you most likely advertise (at a considerable expense I might add). I discovered with Express One, that you go business-to-business and offer your potential customers savings up to 40 percent on their shipping needs versus FedEx™and UPS™. Express One's primary provider of shipping services is DHL Worldwide Express™, the largest and leading international carrier that serves over 635,000 destinations in 233 countries and territories. |
Express One
co-founder, president
and CEO, Bret Miller |
Express One has developed partnerships with international and domestic air express and freight companies (including ocean and trucking services). Through its contracts and agreements with global carriers such as DHL Worldwide Expressâ, BAX Global®, E-World Cargo® and other carriers, they have obtained volume-discounted rates. These discounts are passed on to the customer by an Express One franchisee. The franchisee markets the shipping services, while providing personalized service for the customer. The various carriers provide pick-up and delivery, as well as supplies. The carriers have an added sales force that does not require training, motivation or compensation. The customer receives first-class service while saving up to 40%. The franchisee enjoys a profit from each shipment.
Another refreshing discovery was Express One's ability to treat their customers (mostly small to mid-sized businesses) like Fortune 500 shipping customers. Their customers get the same great service through DHL™ as they would through FedEx™ or UPS™ and they get the additional customer service of the local Express One office. Also, the market is huge! The small to mid-sized businesses make up over eighty percent (80%) of all the businesses in the United States today.
Express One began franchising its business in 1997. Over the past four years, Express One has grown to over sixty territories. What impressed me most is that they are their largest franchisee. CEO and President, Bret Miller says, "We believe in our business so much that we (the franchisor) are the largest franchisee in the system, with plans to open more territories soon." For the territories we sell, our goal is to find those people who can come into this business and treat this opportunity like a business, rather than a high paying job. The residual aspect, coupled with the low overhead (all carriers handle the pick-ups, deliveries and supplies), make this the ideal franchise opportunity for those individuals with strong people skills. Express One's growth has not gone unnoticed and was recently ranked by Entrepreneur Magazine (January 2001) as the 104th top franchise. They were also recognized as the fourth fastest growing franchise in the world.
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For franchise information you can call Bret Miller at (800) 399-3971 or visit their website: www.express1shipping.com.
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