The UPS Store

1). The UPS Store seems to be doing very well in spite of these difficult times. What do you think is the secret for your success?

I would qualify success in these hard economic times by saying that we are still open and happy to serve the community. Focusing on customer service and the "experience" is one key to our continued success. In addition to needing a service you provide, each customer needs to want to come into your business. Providing an atmosphere that promotes this feeling is important. And, we are continually looking for new ways to serve our current customers and constantly trying to reach more customers both locally and farther out in rural areas.

2). How long has The UPS Store been in Kearney now? We opened in February 2004, so we are in the seventh year of our ten year franchise agreement.

3). You've received several awards. Please remind us what honors you have received.

The UPS Store in Kearney was selected as Franchisee of the Year for 2006. The award measures a lot of metrics like corporate compliance, growth, and sales but is to a large degree an award for customer service and being part of the community. We were also awarded the Excellence in Education Award by the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2008 for our efforts in supporting the Kearney School District.

4). You're also very active in the community. Share with us how you give back in all of your activities.

May 25th was the third annual Mr Stinky Feet concert at the Kearney Amphitheater. In 2009 we combined the event with KCB Bank and Kidfest, making it one event. There is no admission fee. Donations are accepted and go to the Toys for Tots Literacy Program. To date we have put over 2000 books back into the local community. While Dale Jarrett was racing for UPS and sponsoring the program we ran the "Design Dale's Ride" coloring contest at the five K-5 schools. The kids really liked this program and we are looking forward to UPS sponsoring this program again in the future. This will also be the third year we have partnered with the Kearney Parents as Teachers program to produce the booklet that is presented to each new kindergarten student during the spring visit. These booklets are school specific so the new students can look at pictures of their school, principal, teacher, classrooms, and office personnel. It helps makes their first week at school more friendly since they recognize faces and places.

5). What has changed in your store this past year? Any new faces, new services?

The biggest change is that Marsha, our long term employee (six years) has finally sold her house and is moving back to Denver to be with her kids and grandkids. We will miss her sorely. We have hired two new employees to replace her. Karen has been in Kearney for over twenty years so many of you will know her. Hannah is new to Kearney, grew up in Joplin, and recently moved here from Utah. The things that we have done recently that people know the least about are document shredding, passport photos, scanning documents, blueprints, two and three part forms and foam core mounting. With the airlines changing and increasing baggage fees on a regular basis, we now offer luggage boxes. They have a handle are sturdy enough to use as a checked bag on the airline or you can ship your luggage UPS and have it waiting for you at destination.

6). Are you still riding that bicycle to make deliveries? The bicycle is in the store this summer but is has been so hectic that I haven't been riding it as much. But is still there to remind me to stick with the program!

7). What achievements are you looking forward to in the next few years?

We are in the process of being designated a regional training center for our Franchisor. New owners and managers will travel here for one to two weeks of in store training before operating in their own center. This will give people from a four state area the opportunity to visit Kearney and experience what we have to offer. The economy has slowed our growth the last two years so I would have to say that reaching our bronze sales award before the end of our franchise agreement is definitely one of our top goals. We hope the economy cooperates!