| 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
|
