Mail Boxes Etc. has many successful women franchisees and centre managers across its network. To celebrate International Women’s Day this year, we spoke to Judy Veniamaki, who runs Mail Boxes Etc. Chichester.
After six years of secretarial work and office admin in the UK and twenty-five years in Greece working in tourism and hospitality, Judy joined the team at MBE Chichester with Kal Chudasama when he took over the franchise in 2016. They learnt the job together and very quickly became a team.
As manager of the store, Judy enjoys the variety of the business, which includes mailbox rental, packing and shipping parcels to destinations around the world, and looking after customers’ print requirements.
“It’s very important to me to build strong relationships with our customers,” she says, “and to ensure our service meets all their expectations. Communication is vital – especially if people are ordering online. When people use us to ship their items, we make a point of notifying them of the progress of their consignment every step of the way.”
Antiques And Art Shipping
A lot of Judy’s shipping work is focused around valuable and fragile items. “We collect antiques and works of art from local auctioneers and antiques shops, which makes each job a very personal and unique experience for everyone involved.
“We get to handle some lovely items which are very precious to our customers and we pride ourselves in taking the best possible care, from packing breakable pieces with expertise to choosing the right carrier to handle the packages.”
Over the years, Judy has had to learn plenty of new skills, including specialist packing techniques and making sure she’s on top of customs requirements. She loves the fact that each day brings something different: “We never know what the next job will be, and I like the thrill of each new request. We discuss each consignment as a team and our different approaches mean we’re sure to cover all bases to ensure each customer has the right solution for their needs.”
Judy’s customer base includes mailbox customers, from private individuals and small businesses to remote users who have their mail forwarded. “Our services are very well suited to SMEs, as we can often help them by taking on their shipping needs too, which frees their time up to focus on other parts of their business.”
When it comes to growing the business and being able to offer customers new solutions, Judy says:
“We are particularly pleased with how we have increased our print services by investing in a new Xerox finishing machine, which enables us to produce leaflets, business cards and booklets quickly and professionally. We also have a wide format printer, which has proved to be popular as we offer a same-day service. Our customers find this really useful for everything from plans and legal documents to posters, and they love the fact that the turnaround is so speedy.”
Female Friendly Business Model
Anyone running their own business faces challenges, but Judy believes Mail Boxes Etc. is a business model that’s very well suited to women. “In this line of work, attention to detail is imperative, and I think most women are skilled in this area. Thinking outside the box is a good thing, too.
“It’s great to be part of a team. As manager of the Chichester store I have the support of my colleague Abi, which is so important. We work very well together, and we both really care about our customers. I think that shows when you read our online reviews; our customers are more than happy to share their positive feedback.”
Judy finds that the work-life balance at the store suits her very well.
“Although always busy, I’m never overwhelmed in my role. Working with another woman is great and we love working for Kal, he’s a fantastic boss, very supportive and encouraging.”
How To Make A MBE Franchise Successful
Judy’s advice for anyone thinking of working in, or owning, an MBE franchise is to get a good team together: “So necessary when you run a small business.”
She also says women should work on self-belief:
“Your past career choices teach work skills every step of the way; use them to build your own success. I am working in retail now, but my time in hospitality gave me the skill of attention to detail, while working in tourism taught me to think quickly to find a suitable solution. All the new technology needs to be embraced, but that’s true in any job, and change is hard for most people, but accepting it and learning new skills will keep your business – and your mind – growing.”