The UPS Store in St. Boniface, a Canadian dream come true

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The COVID-19 pandemic has forced some entrepreneurs to change or postpone their business plans. Such was the case for Prosper Hamenyimana, who was about to open a UPS Store franchise in St. Boniface in April 2020.

The idea of opening his own business was not new to Hamenyimana, who was already thinking about it when he arrived in Manitoba in June 2017.

“When I arrived in Manitoba, the first thing I did was look for work, but I was already thinking about starting my own business,” he explains. “I quickly got in touch with CDEM to get training and learn as much as I could about the ins and outs of running a business here in Manitoba.”

In 2018, the newcomer launched DAPRO Trading & Services, a company specialized in imports and exports. “I had already gained a lot of experience in Burundi and Kenya, so it made sense for me to open my own import/export business and to assist Canadian companies in doing business in East Africa.”

In 2019, Hamenyimana incorporated his company, which then became DAPRO Trading & Services Inc. “From then on, I looked for franchises that would offer me good opportunities. I ended up talking to The UPS Store Canada network. They were looking to open a new store in St. Boniface.”

They wanted someone who was able to provide high quality, bilingual services, and Hamenyimana fit the profile. “Being bilingual, I quickly went to the top of the list as a possible buyer for the new store,” he recalls.

Hamenyimana then attended a series of training sessions given as part of opening the franchise. The experience was a positive one. “It gave me time to learn about the organizational and operational aspects of running a UPS store.”

The St. Boniface location was scheduled to open in April 2020, but the pandemic forced Hamenyimana to put off celebrating. “Given the situation, I had to wait before opening the store, and getting an occupancy permit took longer, too.”

It was only a temporary setback for Hamenyimana, who has learned from experience that the path to entrepreneurship is often fraught with obstacles. The UPS Store in St. Boniface finally opened its doors on July 20, 2020.

Photo credit: Marta Guerrero