Janine Ahlstedt: A “Logical” Path to Success
Bethesda, MD; Manassas, VA and Washington DC West Franchises
Ask Janine Ahlstedt about logistics, and you’ll immediately see her passion rise to the surface. From her undergraduate days spent studying logistics through her MBA program, Janine has shown a fondness and an uncanny knack for managing logistics. While in school, she managed logistics for Consolidated Freightways, and after graduating, she continued on the same path with a food wholesaler.
Janine quickly realized that her love for logistics and her experience in shipping gave her unique skills, which she honed even more with three year run in sales at Airborne Express. When an opportunity arose in a Unishippers franchise in San Diego, she jumped at the chance to explore a new opportunity. She gained valuable experience from the inside, first as a sales representative, and then as a sales manager. After successfully managing sales for five franchise territories and overseeing 10 sales reps, Janine decided it was time to strike out on her own. She bought her first franchise, in Bethesda, Maryland, in 2002. Today, she independently owns multiple franchises, and owns a percentage of several more along the east coast.
A lifelong overachiever, Janine’s success doesn’t surprise anyone. But in addition to hard work, she says that persistence and creativity are critical to creating the kind of business she wants to run. She surrounds herself with a capable team that is motivated, and “a little quirky, a little hyper”. And then she makes sure that everybody, including herself, is open to new ideas and ways to improve. But Janine says the biggest factor in her success is the unlimited opportunity that Unishippers provides. Other advice she offers up? “Explore every opportunity. With Unishippers, it’s all up to you. Nobody else is controlling your future. Embrace change and challenges. Learn your client’s business, not just their shipping. Get your team as motivated as you are.”
Sound advice coming from one of Unishippers’ most successful franchise owners. And one more thing: don’t neglect your personal life. As Janine says “There is nothing like setting a personal goal and accomplishing it, in business or your personal life. Just to know that your blood, sweat and tears go into your own pursuits makes it all worth while.”
