Business on a National Scale
The idea for Ted Rogers’ business came out of a personal need about two years ago. Ted was shopping in Albertson’s grocery store in Missoula, Montana, and kept passing out in the aisles due to medical issues with his kidney disorder. Ted and his partner drew up a solution on napkins (literally): Box Car Systems, Inc.
Box Car Systems, Inc. consists of stand-alone, temperature controlled lockers that are placed in apartment complexes, malls, etc., with twenty-two lockers per unit. Each locker measures 2' x 2' x 3' and the units measure 19' x 11' x 9'. Each unit has a touch screen on either end. People can order groceries from their local store on-line, check for open reservation space in the unit located at the store, and then pick up their groceries at that location at a time and date convenient to them. They open the unit by entering an access code, eliminating the need to actually go into the grocery store. This is perfect for individuals with mobility limitations, inner city residents without cars, or parents who don’t want to take their children into the store.
Prior to receiving financial assistance from the Montana Job Training Partnership through the Careers through Partnerships Project and support from their partners at the Rural Institute, Ted reported that he was in financial need. He worked hard to find any sort of assistance for a person with a disability trying to start a business, but he was turned down by agencies for services. His health made it difficult to get his business off the ground.
Once Ted contacted the Rural Institute, he received information and advocacy for accessing a number of services. The Rural Institute also assisted him with a Social Security Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS) and referred him to Summit Independent Living Center for help accessing Montana Vocational Rehabilitation, which provided $10,000 to create his web site. Ted also received assistance from Montana Community Development Corporation, which helped him access a $30,000 loan guaranteed by his PASS plan. The Rural Institute, in partnership with the Montana Job Training Partnership Careers Project and Summit Independent Living Center, helped Ted access $5,600 for equipment to build his first prototype.
The Rural Institute, in partnership with the Montana Job Training Partnership Careers Project and Summit Independent Living Center, helped Ted access $5,600 for equipment to build his first prototype
After spending six months researching the market and developing his business plan, Ted assembled a national team of experts to launch his business. His strategic analyst is in Ohio, and has contracted 38 sales representatives, working on commission, out in the field. Products are manufactured in Florida, Iowa, and Minnesota, and the company logistics are handled in Oklahoma. Although Ted’s business has not turned a profit as of yet, he has the potential to do $6,000,000 to $9,000,000 in business next year and place 500 units nationally.
Ted is excited about running his own business. He finds it challenging and “it allows me to have something to focus on besides my disability, which is all consuming.” Now that he has his business off the ground, Ted wants to assist other people with disabilities access business start-up services, with less frustration than he had to go through.
How to contact this small
business owner:
Ted Rogers, President
BoxCar Systems Inc.
11687 Cramer Creek
Clinton, MT 59825
(406) 825-4173
boxcars@blackfoot.net