Today we’d like to introduce you to Karin Van Niekerk.
Hi Karin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always had a very strong administrative background starting out as an administrative assistant in 1995, becoming a secretary to managers and eventually a personal assistant to CEO’s etc. My willingness to do favors for others, a constant desire to please and readiness to be helpful made this career path seem to be a perfect match. As soon as I mastered the industry I was in, taking the next step was always the goal. Becoming complacent was never an option. When we immigrated to America in 2012, I was given the opportunity to work at a CPA firm, as a bookkeeper and payroll administrator. No, numbers were never something I was good at, and I had zero experience in this field. My exposure to small businesses in various sectors began there. I would often think, if they can do it, so can I!
I often searched websites for businesses for sale…and in April of 2018, the heading in big bold letters; “Mail Store For Sale” caught my attention. The selling price seemed fair…BONUS! After meeting with the current owner I did my homework, considering pro’s and con’s before possibly making either the worst or best commitment in my life. The store itself wasn’t in the best shape, bad reviews online, poor customer service etc. That was exactly what I needed to see to take on this challenge, to feed my inquisitiveness and intense desire to learn!
My husband had to co-sign on a business loan and I took over the reigns in October that same year. Can I just add that I went to the post office maybe once or twice and did not know anything about the pack and ship industry at all. I was determined to make a success of it, I had no other choice. Failure was not an option. We remodeled the service counter, had the carpets professionally cleaned, installed shelving and affixed posters to the walls to make the store more inviting and to add professionalism, creating a caring and happy environment. Thankfully my husband is in the IT industry and we had a technological overhaul switching from a manual cash register to two point of sale systems. I was determined to provide the best customer service as I could, to build lasting relationships with customers and implement new services. Taking my business to the next level was the most satisfying, indescribable feeling. It was worth every tear and every loss. Without the help of my immediate family and some friends, I wouldn’t have made it this far.
After long days, many hours, many tears shed in the mailroom, lesson upon lesson, failure upon failure and a few unhappy customers, I managed to push through. It was only after my five year business loan was paid that I started to show a little profit. This profit was ploughed back into the business to try and test new revenue streams. Again some failed and some survived. In 2022, I could take the big leap and appoint a part time employee. I was petrified in knowing I was responsible for her weekly wages! For the first time in four years I could have a whole weekend to myself. I could leave earlier, come in later. At this point, the idea that “I made it” finally rang true. I was able to and had the extra time to attend annual industry expo’s, trade shows and complete online courses. The constant yearning to learn more and grow the business was everlasting. Even more so, the personal satisfaction that came my way was overwhelming. I love being in the store creating new customer relationships and further cementing existing ones.
Once again my strong will to please and care for customers remained my number one priority. The overall customer experience in our industry can either make or break the business. We cherish recurring customers and are strong believers in consistent, ongoing engagement. The backbone of our existence lies in being knowledgeable, effective, professional, courteous, reliable and trustworthy. This is something I am passing on to my now TWO part time employees. Seven years went by so fast, and I am thankful for every low and every high. A high at the moment is newfound freedom and the availability to seek what’s next! Sounds like a success story to me :o)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ugotmailga.com
Image Credits
Karin van Niekerk
