This is a great article on taking a commodity item, the mailbox, and finding unique differentiation to stake out your own territory in the marketplace and executing with entrepreneurial vigor. This couple found a compelling need; a secure depository for delivered packages in an era when lots of people order on-line and are seldom home when the goods are delivered. It’s got some great examples of entrepreneurial energy; I particularly like it when one of the founders told Home Depot exactly what stores to put the product in because she was so on top of demand and then she dug up Jeff Bezo’s mailing address to send him her “better mailbox” for his birthday – knowing the kind of problem Amazon was experiencing with stolen packages. A great story.
Building A Better Mailbox
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I’m an experienced entrepreneur, active investor, author, strategy consultant, and on the faculty of the 
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I enjoyed reading this article and saw a few similarities with the UShip business plan discussed in class. Troyer and Farintinos addressed a problem that they had personal experience with just as Uship did. In both cases there was a real need for a solution to the underlying problems (shipping large items or mail theft). Both endeavors also had to modify/adjust their plan/product as they progressed as well so some flexibility was key. I think the one thing that was lacking with the secure mailbox though was scalability. I don’t know if Troyer and Farintinos intended it to grow into an actual business, but I felt that there was much more potential with Uship for repeat and continued business long term. Without additional products or a new unique product or service in future years, Troyer and Farintinos will most likely see a slowing in revenue.
Chris Juda
TEMBA 2010
What an interesting concept. Even with the days of snail mail becoming more electronic, the concept of e-commerce continues to expand for physical goods. I think the security that this solution offers will continue to grow in demand for your “average Joe” consumer who is concerned about identity theft or protecting the items ordered online. Another area that I see individuals perceiving value for this solution is for mail-order medicines and drugs. I think that while there have been a number of early adopters who have transitioned to this method for refills, that many individuals are suspect to do so as they don’t perceive that it is a secure way to receive their medications. The Oasis helps to resolve the security hurdle, which could lead to further adoption of the product. However, I also agree with Chris’ statement above that without additional products or a new unique product or service in future years that the revenue basis for the Oasis could hit its limits.
Christa Semko (TEMBA 2010)
What an interesting, common-sense idea. In looking into this issue further, I found that the first curbside secure mailbox was not approved by the USPS until 2001. Mailboxes must conform to the standards of the USPS. There are several design specifications, but no recommendations. Only the P.O. Box is offered in regards to privacy and security. The USPS makes revenue by offering P.O. Boxes. Perhaps the advent of the secure mailbox did not come to light earlier not because “established mailbox suppliers had failed to address” the issue, but instead because the USPS was curbing a potential loss in revenue. The Amazon contact may have drove a change in the standards by providing a larger voice for the market pain.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_box)
(http://www.usps.com/receive/mailboxstandards.htm)
What an excellent idea! No only does this product address a growing market need in the age of e-commerce as more shoppers go online for the product needs and have security issues when their parcels arrive home, but it also incorporates beautiful architectural elements. A review of the company’s, Architectural Mailboxes’s, website at http://www.architecturalmailboxes.com/where-to-buy/default.aspx shows that they have an impressive lineup of beautiful mailboxes catering to different sizes, architectural designs, finishes, as well as single unit vs multi-unit etc.., just to mention some of the available options. The company also has an impressive list of dealers such as Target, Costco, Home Depot, Lowes, Amazon.com as well as several regional and local dealers. This success story goes to show that a mainstream product differentiated in a novel way and marketed with entrepreneurial energy and persistence can be hugely successful.