Meet The UPS Store Retail Owner, Ken Weber

If you know local The UPS Store owner Ken Weber, you know that he's as entertaining as he is hard-working. He's a Massachusetts native who grew up right outside of Boston and keeps his current home close in Framingham, Mass. where he's lived for nearly 40 years.

An entrepreneur at heart, Ken received his college education in business management and started his career as the self-employed owner of several car and truck rental companies before transitioning to the long hours of corporate restaurant management. Exhausted, he eventually asked himself "Why am I working for somebody else?" Ken saw an ad for ownership opportunities at The UPS Store. He talked it over with his family knowing that it would provide a better work-life balance and said, "We can do this." He bought his first store in Franklin, Mass. in 2004 and never looked back. "I have a passion for running this business," he says enthusiastically. With that passion, it's no surprise that Ken also acquired his nearby The UPS Store in Milford, Mass.

Ken's passion for running his The UPS Store locations is reflected in his can-do attitude towards customers. Ken chuckles when he recalls some of the most challenging packages he's shipped. Need to send a tree or the interior of an airplane to someone? Ken and his team have done it all. "When I take a job, I always say 'Yes, we can do that!' In my mind, sometimes I'm thinking 'I don't know how I'm going to do it, but we'll figure it out!"

With a compassionate staff who understands that customers look to them for solutions, Ken's experienced team always gets the job done. "I've had two employees with me since I started this store in 2004 and two who have been with me for over seven years," he says. "We hold ourselves accountable to our customers, and at the same time, I'm very good to my employees. When they need time off, they get time off." Those customers include neighbors who have had mailboxes at the store since day one, local politicians and even New England Patriots players.

An incredible work ethic and engaging personality run in Ken's family. His parents were initially friends and entertainers who traveled with the United Service Organization (USO). "They were actually entertaining troops right on the battlefronts," Ken explains. "My dad eventually enlisted in the army under the title 'Entertainer with a Rifle.' When battle was imminent, he had to quit what he was doing and go join the fighting." Ken's dad had equally entertaining company, serving in the same unit as his good friend Mickey Rooney!

Ken's family drives his belief in work-life balance. He loves his annual summer vacations to the Cape with his wife, kids and three grandchildren. But, more often than not, you'll catch him at his stores taking care of his customers. Next time you spot him, be sure to say hi. You'll be in for a great story!