UnishippersGlobal Logistics, LLC, the nation’s first and one of the largest small package and freight shipping resellers, has announced the launch of a contest that will award a military veteran a free National Franchise. Unishippers’ new National Franchise model allows franchisees to run his or her business from anywhere in the country and serve B2B customers nationwide.
Unishippers is was created in 1987 from the simple idea that by partnering with major shipping suppliers and reselling their services, small and medium-sized business could benefit from the negotiated discounts and dedicated customer service usually reserved for larger companies. Today, the company has more than 50,000 shipping customers, 6.5 million shipments annually, and industry leading partners including UPS® and YRC Freight®, so we have the experience and buying power franchisees need to be successful.
The Unishippers for Veterans Franchise Giveaway contest will be accepting entries through September 3, 2013. Unishippers has partnered with USA Cares, an esteemed, non-profit charitable organization that supports post-9/11 service members, to help find the deserving veteran.
To participate, veterans need to create a two-minute video explaining why they are interested in ownership of a Unishippers franchise, why they are deserving of a free franchise and how their military experience will help them to be successful. A panel of judges from the Unishippers corporate team will select up to five finalists to be flown to Salt Lake City for a special Discovery Day event where they will meet Unishippers executives, department leaders and the panel of judges. The final winner will be announced on November 11, 2013.
Success in the military is the result of discipline, accountability, leadership, and an ability to work within an established system. Those same traits make up an ideal foundation to succeed as a franchise owner. That’s why we’re proud to announce this exciting contest that will honor and support our military veterans.
J.P. Budd, a Unishippers franchise owner in Ventura County, CA is a Marine veteran (2000-2005). He opened his Unishippers in March of 2012 and quickly became a rising star in the system and was awarded the Rookie of the Year award at Unishippers 2012 Annual Convention. He believes his success is due in large part to his military experience.
Budd has told us before that the management and leadership experience the military provided him shortened the learning curve it took to succeed as a Unishippers franchisee. He also found himself meeting other veterans on his sales calls and their shared experience gave Budd an immediate connection with his potential customers.
Another franchisee, David Johnson, is a General Manager of several Unishippers and post 9/11 Marine Corps veteran who went on two combat tours in Iraq by the time he was 20 years old. Johnson has expressed that no one knows the struggles of readjustment back to civilian life better than someone who has been through it.
Several established Unishippers franchisees are veterans including Sonny Head (Air Force) in Shreveport, LA, Robert Burke (Army) in Baltimore, MD and Neal Manion (Marines) in Toledo, OH. They all agree that their experience in the military helped prepare them for the day-to-day duties that are required to be a successful Unishippers franchisee.
At Unishippers, we believe that the brave men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces are true heroes. The sacrifices they have made can never be repaid, but their experience and skills should be rewarded.
For more information about Unishippers and how to participate in the Unishippers for Veterans Franchise Giveaway, please visit www.unishippersforvets.com.
Kevin Lathrop, President and Franchisee
Kevin Lathrop
Kevin Lathrop has served as President of Unishippers Global Logistics, LLC since January 2011. Lathrop began his Unishippers career as a franchise owner, initially purchasing the Unishippers of Orange County North franchise in 1992. In September 1999 he joined the Unishippers corporate offices, serving as Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President. In addition to Lathrop’s corporate responsibilities, he remains a part owner of seven Unishippers franchise locations including Orange County South, Orange County North, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego South, San Diego North, and Whittier. Prior to joining Unishippers, he worked for Hughes Aircraft Company in a variety of engineering and management positions. Lathrop earned a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fullerton and an MBA from the Anderson Graduate School of Management, University of California, Los Angeles.
