“This is a way to get UPS stores into neighborhoods we aren’t in. “It takes time from when you apply to become a franchisee to when the store opens,” she said. Van Slyke said there several more minority-owned UPS Stores in the queue. “We’ve already gotten involved with several chambers of commerce.”

“We service a lot of other cities as well, including Seal Beach, Los Alamitos, Stanton and Westminster,” he said. Gonzales, who held a soft opening for his store May 11, previously worked in the advertising field but is excited to transition to the role of business owner. “We also do returns for national retailers.” “It’s critical for small businesses to have a street address that they can put on a business card,” Van Slyke said. UPS stores also offer shipping, mailboxes, faxing and shredding services in addition to retail items, including greeting cards and phone chargers. It has a different color scheme and there is also a print consultation area for printing and notary services. “It’s more of an open space where customers can see their items being packed. “It’s a digital-forward design,” Van Slyke said. Most company stores run 1,200 to 1,500 square feet. At 2,000 square feet, it’s the largest UPS Store in the nation.

Philip Gonzeles, 43, of Rossmoor and his wife Thea held a June 24 grand opening for their UPS Store at 11873 Valley View St. “Our local store owners are part of the community.” “This provides an opportunity for individuals to open stores in the neighborhoods where they live and know people,” Van Slyke said. and all are independently owned and operated. UPS has more than 5,000 stores in the U.S. “We wanted to get the word out to minorities and the LGBTQ+ community, to welcome them and let them know we would appreciate them being part of our network.” “We launched this program in August of 2020,” said Michelle Van Slyke, the company’s interim president for The UPS Store. The company’s diversity ownership program allows minority and LGBTQ+ franchisees to open a company store for $15,000 - half the standard $30,000 price. Starting a business can be expensive, but UPS has lowered the cost significantly for minority entrepreneurs looking to open a UPS Store.

Ups store blue horizon