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Guest post by: Candice Clem Become an Author

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Since, in the last decade, the internet has taken a more prominent role in commerce than virtually any other communicational tool, spatial proximity between the seller and purchaser of goods has become irrelevant. As everyone knows, it is not now uncommon for transactions to be made across international borders, for both multi-million-dollar corporate transactions and single-item person-to-person Ebay sales. Because of this change in the way the world does business, shipping has become a constantly bigger and more profitable industry in recent years. Even in recession, the shipping industry sees no dip in profitability. In fact, this year, in the face of economic downturn around the world, the prices of major shipping firms were increased, and though clients weren’t particularly happy about that, business remained, because shipping is a necessary part of most industries.

Though no one is calling shipping a recession-proof industry per se, it is one so elemental to most businesses that it’s not going anywhere however the market may turn. Of course, that may not mean much to someone interested in starting their own small business, because the market is indeed dominated by just a handful of huge, global corporations, the likes of which, no one can compete with. However, though some may not realize it, there are a few franchised shipping business opportunities that work with those larger names to secure an income, and here are some of those opportunities for the interested entrepreneur.

1. Packaging and Shipping Specialists
What Mike Gallagher, founder of Packaging and Shipping Specialists discovered at the outset was that unearthing and filling a client need, learning how to best market the service, and finding the right supplier are the most difficult aspects of starting a business, but with his Packaging and Shipping Specialists shipping franchise, those trials have already been overcome, and all the franchisee must do is follow proven steps. What sets this packaging and shipping franchise business apart is the profound level of freedom for each franchisee, who gets to name the franchise what he wishes and does not have to pay any royalties. Everything to gain, and nothing to lose.

2. PostalAnnex+
Over 20 years ago, this business began as the answer to a whole host of business needs, providing packaging, shipping, faxing, copying, printing, and mailing to businesses and students in the University City neighborhood of San Diego, CA. Their success in the industry is evinced by first, the fact that the original store succeeded directly next door to a post office, and second, that there are now 300 franchises in operation. The franchisor provides support in all aspects of operation ranging from initial site selection to ongoing promotional services, which is part of the reason that Entrepreneur Magazine named this franchise #104 of their top 500.

3. Service Source Shipping & Freight
With no storefront and no stock to carry, this franchise opportunity has the lowest overhead of all the businesses that deal in shipping. Instead of providing the services of packaging and shipping, franchisees with this business are brokers, offering clients the opportunity to change from their current shipping provider to DHL and receive huge discounts. For every client that converts from UPS or FedEx to DHL, the franchisee makes a profit off of every package sent, and because this franchise is business-to-business, owners work regular hours, Monday through Friday, leaving weekends and evenings free for family.

4. PostNet
Site selection, lease negotiations, design and construction, and grand opening assistance are only the beginning with this renowned ship-and-print business. Competing with names like The UPS Store and FedEx Kinkos, this retail franchise has over 900 locations worldwide and continues to grow at a rate of one store every week. Providing a wide variety of copying and printing services, as well as the shipping services of UPS, FedEx, DHL, and the US postal service, it is no wonder that this business is the shipping operation of choice for home businesses, small businesses, and telecommuters.

5. The Mail Box Stores
This franchisor is adamant about the fact that this is not a franchise. As they’ve designed the operation, there is no ongoing royalty fee, meaning that after the initial purchase of this turnkey mail and shipping business, there is never another dollar the franchisee must pay, even though he continues to receive first-class support for the life of the business. Store design, financing, equipment purchase, ongoing training, and so much more are all attended to by the franchisor. All the while, the franchisee is the one profiting from customer use of mailbox rentals, copying, shipping, printing, binding, and a wide variety of other production services.

The shipping industry is certainly a profitable one, bringing in a collective $600bil annually. If you’re looking for a way to start a franchise business in the midst of this recession and make a profit without risking your shirt, a shipping franchise is certainly a good way to go.

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