Where This Shipping Franchise Began - PostalAnnex+ Store #1

It’s been over 24 years since Jack Lentz opened the doors of the first-ever PostalAnnex+ shipping franchise in San Diego, CA, but there are some things that never change.

PostalAnnex+ #1 still shares a common wall with the United States Post Office branch in the University City neighborhood.

Jane Reilly, a fixture in the store for 20 years, bought the store from Lentz in 1988, and last year sold the business to another fellow PostalAnnex+ shipping franchise owner in order to downsize her responsibilities. However, Jane loves the customers and the area so much that she still works in the store, now as an employee instead of owner.

“Working gives me direction,” Reilly said. “I don’t understand why some people spend their entire lives looking forward to their retirement.”

Apparently, having the Post Office on the other side of the wall hasn’t interfered with her business the past 20 years. Reilly has long made a point of creating a friendly relationship with the postal staff, including one she’s known for all twenty years. It’s not unusual, then, that the Post Office frequently will refer one of its customers to her.

If the cutoff time for an overnight package has passed at the USPS counter, they’ll send customers over to PostalAnnex+ where both FedEx and UPS have later pickup times the same day. Or, a P.O. clerk will send a customer to Reilly for packaging service that the USPS doesn’t provide at the counter.

With so many years as a PostalAnnex+ shipping franchise owner, Jane has helped hundreds of thousands of customers looking for solutions to their small business and shipping needs. Working hard and having a good support system certainly help, she says, but it takes more than that to be profitable.

Over the years, she has come to believe that relationships are at the heart of what she does.

“I think doing well depends on common courtesy and common sense,” Reilly said. But she also comments that she couldn’t have done this alone. “I have been so comforted and touched by the help and support that the PostalAnnex+ Home Office has given me.”

Jane is a cornerstone of the PostalAnnex+ franchise system, showing for 20 years that smart thinking, hard work, and a strong support system from the franchisor helped her turn her dreams of small business ownership into a long, satisfying part of her life.

Impact on Postal Franchise Industry of USPS's Consideration of Closing 10% of Locations

The US Postal Service has identified a list of 3,243 post offices and retail locations for possible closure. That's nearly 10% of those type of locations, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

Expecting to make decisions by October 1, 2009, the USPS said the possible cutbacks follow a Quarter 2 YTD loss of $707 million. Mail volume continues to decline as more people pay bills online and email supplants traditional mail delivery.

What does this mean for the postal franchise industry?

Less competition. If all 3,243 locations are indeed closed within a relatively short period of time, that's 3,243 fewer places for consumers to get their postal needs met. And after all, one of the postal franchise business’ tenets is convenience….you don't have to travel as far to a US Post Office by visiting a postal franchise instead. In return, a modest convenience fee was added.

Especially at today's prices for gas, the hard cost of gasoline for a trip to and from the post office often can be more than the typical $1.50 convenience charge on a book of stamps. Not to mention the time savings from avoiding a longer drive. And a postal franchise like PostalAnnex+ usually offers more services such as copying, faxing, notarizing, packaging and other home and office services---making the convenience all the more valuable.

And with the USPS considering the elimination of normal mail pickup and delivery on Saturdays, a postal franchise such as PostalAnnex+ that is open on Saturdays provides a valuable alternative for its customers.

What will happen to all the post office box holders in facilities that close? Many are landlords, small business owners, real estate agents and other professionals that don't want people showing up at their house. Fortunately, they'll be able to continue their privacy and receive even more benefits with a private mailbox rental at PostalAnnex+ and other postal franchise locations.

So while 3,243 possible closures sounds bad for consumers, it could end up being a very good opportunity for the postal franchise industry.

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Resources to Help You in Your Search for a Shipping Franchise

In a search for a new career? Franchising offers some great features, and a shipping franchise from PostalAnnex+ is a great option.

But before we tell you about our business, we'd like to offer you some resources that will help you during your search process, regardless of where you end.

Resources for:

• Creating business plans (you'll need this if you're getting a loan): Free Sample Plans at www.bplans.com and www.businessplans.org


• Financing assistance from the Small Business Administration: www.sbaonline.sba.gov


• Free Small Business Help from Retired Executives: www.Score.org


• Information about Franchises: From the Industry's trade association at www.franchise.org

We think you should choose PostalAnnex+ because of our:

• Experience: You'll benefit from our 24 years of experience.
• Company Culture: You are the entrepreneur of your own business. We help you fulfill that dream.
• Systems: Well developed systems help you manage and run your shipping franchise.
• Marketing: You'll have access to Co-op Marketing Funds along with award-winning talent and expertise to drive an effective advertising campaign for your store.
• Training: A two-week training program will equip you with the tools you'll need to build your new business.
• Support: You'll have access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to the support you'll need to help you grow your very own shipping franchise.

Check out what some of current franchisee have to say in their
testimonials about why they chose PostalAnnex+ for their next stage in life. We know you have many questions, including about franchising in general. So we'd love to be able to answer any questions you have at your convenience. Give us a call toll-free, at 1-866-964-3142 or leave us a note on our shipping franchise website.

Retiring but Not Done? Buy a Franchise!

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, more than 600 employees of the City of San Diego have put in for retirement this year, triple the number last year.

Is it because the baby boomers are now creating a wave of retirees? Possibly. But the article attributed the large increase to a cut in city benefits that take effect this month.
By retiring now, these employees are locking in better rates for their pension payouts and healthcare coverage.

But are these employees done?

Not so. And with many of these retirees in their fifties, they’re bound to be looking for the next place to utilize their experience and skills.

One popular choice is to buy a franchise. Franchising offers a prospect the ability to join a tested system rather than start a concept from scratch. In exchange for a franchise fee to start, and ongoing royalties and advertising fees, franchisees get support in the areas of:

o operations
o computers
o customer relationship building
o skill-building
o networking
o marketing planning
o advertising materials
o setting up a store's website
o marketing co-op funds
o ...and more.

To buy a franchise usually requires a level of net worth, depending on the type of franchise. PostalAnnex+ has a relatively low investment, compared to all the options available, ranging from $138,800 to $200,050.

PostalAnnex+ also offers its franchisees a Matching Funds Program in which a portion of the advertising fees paid are returned to the franchisees for qualified advertising expenditures.

In addition, when people buy a franchise from PostalAnnex+, they get assistance with site selection, directions in financing, comprehensive training both pre-and after opening, award-winning marketing materials, and more.

One of the first best steps for a retiree or anyone else seeking to own their own future and buy a franchise is to check out the Company’s franchising website.

Franchising Offers a Good Solution to Career Question, "What Next?"

By Steve Goble
Vice President of Marketing Communications
Annex Brands, Inc.

San Diego, California (April 17, 2009) -- With baby boomers getting set to retire, and with unemployment at levels unseen in decades, many are looking to the next season in their lives. One option with growing interest is taking more control of one’s future through small business ownership, specifically with franchising.

But why franchising?

Edgar Harris, a PostalAnnex+ postal & shipping franchise owner in Oceanside, CA explained: “When I retired from the military, I knew I had the skills to try my hand at owning a business. But I didn’t want to learn from scratch. Franchising offered me the great opportunity of ownership without having to do it all on my own.”

According to an economic impact report published by the International Franchise Association (IFA), in 2005, the latest year of government data available, more than 900,000 franchised establishments in the U.S created 11 million jobs and generated over $880 billion in economic output. And when you add in jobs that support franchising, such as durable goods manufacturing, financing and construction, another 21 million jobs and $2.3 trillion have been created. That's more than 1 out of every 7 private sector jobs in America owing to franchised businesses.

Harris investigated several franchising concepts before deciding on buying a PostalAnnex+ franchise, a mail and parcel, business services franchise. “I knew I didn’t want to go home smelling like grease and have to manage a large staff, so this franchise was perfect for my personality.”

Steve Goble, vice president of marketing communications for Annex Brands, Inc., the franchisor of PostalAnnex+, said Harris found a great fit for his personality and skills. "Edgar really enjoys coming to work each day, and he cheers up everyone who visits his store," commented Goble. "Even his wife Dori has joined in the family business, and now they have two stores. Their customers love them, the neighboring businesses love them and the community loves them.”

Andrew Hack, a Handle With Care Packaging Store franchisee for over 20 years in Troy, MI says the support is what he enjoys from being a franchisee. “Owners of Handle With Care Packaging Store come from all walks of life. I have to say the support is the best thing that this franchise has given us. They’re always there for you, always there to lend a hand, always willing to work with you.”

Hack says having access to his brand’s other franchisees through an intranet system has allowed sharing of ideas and experiences he finds beneficial to his business.

Why choose franchising over starting an independent location? Franchising offers prospects several advantages:

· a franchise model is a tested model; it can save you from an expensive learning curve;
· a franchisor offers support in many areas of your business which you may not be able to master without larger support, including creating helpful operational and marketing programs
· a franchised system creates economies of scale with other franchisees, often leading to better discounts with suppliers;
· a franchise may offer instant brand recognition in a market, bringing in customers more quickly than if you have to educate them in what you do;
· lenders may afford franchises more favorable terms due to a better-known path of experience;
· a franchise offers a peer network where you can share ideas and opportunities, and ask questions relating to your business as well;
· franchises may set forth a more defined level of investment required to start a business.

There also are some structured aspects of franchising that don’t always appeal to independently minded businesspeople:

· franchisees agree to adhere to defined rules and standards as part of the relationship;
· franchisees might be limited in the products and services they can offer to the public;
· fees such as royalties and marketing fees must be paid to the franchisor for their support and programs.

And while a franchise is an investment, it’s a career as well. Goble recommends that a prospect interview the franchisor similar to a job interview, and talk to current franchisees as well. “Ask what kind of support is offered, what degree of flexibility is allowed," he said. "Get a list from the franchisor of people in their system similar to your background and compare notes.”

Goble also said franchisees benefit from the assistance of the IFA, the industry's largest trade association. "The IFA has been very visible in front of Congress, promoting franchising as an integral part of the American economic recovery," he commented. "Imagine having an advocate before your U.S. senator or congressman, promoting your business at no additional cost to you...all because you belong to a franchise system in which your franchisor is footing the bill. There aren't many associations like that looking out for you as an independent."

Matthew Shay, president of the IFA, commented, "In every line of business, and in every state, franchising is a major source of jobs and a critical engine of economic growth." Shay recently outlined a five-step plan the IFA submitted to Congress that will help franchise businesses be an integral part of the economic recovery. These suggestions include steps to promote better access to credit and capital, provide health insurance for employees and to provide clarity and certainty in small business tax law. Established in 1960, the IFA represents franchise concepts in over 75 industries, counting over 1,200 franchisors, 10,000 franchisees and 500 suppliers as members.

Certainly franchising is an attractive option for many right now, from the retiring seeking a second career to those who seek more control over their future after a layoff. For more information on franchising and small business ownership, consult the IFA’s website at http://www.franchise.org/ and the US Small Business Administration at http://www.sba.gov/.

About PostalAnnex+
PostalAnnex+ is a one-stop support center for packaging, shipping and office supply needs. Headquartered in San Diego, California, and founded in 1985, there are more than 275 locations operating nationally and internationally. All PostalAnnex+ locations are owned and operated by licensed franchisees. For more information on services or for franchising information, visit http://www.postalannex.com/.

About Handle With Care Packaging Store
Handle With Care Packaging Store (HWCPS) was founded in 1984 in Denver, Colorado. The average tenure of a HWCPS owner is over ten years, showing a depth of experience in handling the proper packing and shipping of fragile, large, awkward and valuable items. Typical items shipped include pieces of fine art, antiques, single pieces of furniture, electronic equipment and more. Currently, there are 60 franchises located across 25 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. For more information on services or for franchising information, visit http://www.gopackagingstore.com/.

About Annex Brands
Annex Brands, Inc. is a franchisor of the PostalAnnex+, Handle With Care-Packaging Store, Sunshine Pack & Ship and SPS Moving brands. Formerly known as Postal Annex+, Inc, Annex Brands is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Its brands offer shipping and business services such as moving van, freight shipping, small parcel and overnight document delivery services, private mailbox rental, notary service, high-speed copying in black & white and color, office supplies, web site/e-commerce services, faxing service, printing, stationery, rubber address stamps, key duplication, greeting cards and assorted gift items, all in a convenient, service-oriented environment. To find out more about the company, visit http://www.annexbrands.com/.

About the International Franchise Association
The International Franchise Association, the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising, is the preeminent voice and acknowledged leader for the industry worldwide. Approaching a half-century of service with a growing membership of more than 1,200 franchise systems, 10,000-plus franchisees and more than 500 firms that supply goods and services to the industry, IFA protects, enhances and promotes franchising by advancing the values of integrity, respect, trust, commitment to excellence, honesty and diversity. For more information including the 2009 Economic Outlook report, visit the IFA Web site at http://franchise.org/.

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