Since 1989, U-PIC has been on a remarkable mission under the visionary leadership of Bliss Landon, dedicated to providing low-cost shipping insurance solutions to individuals and businesses alike. With an unwavering commitment to offering peace of mind in shipping valuable items and ensuring swift claims processing for any damages, Bliss Landon's approach transcends mere numbers on a spreadsheet. To her, each customer is a valued partner, and she aspires for everyone to trust U-PIC wholeheartedly, knowing that the company has their backs no matter what shipping challenges may arise.
In an exclusive interview, Bliss Landon sheds light on her journey as the President of U-PIC, offering insights into her personal life, career path, and the driving force behind U-PIC's rise to becoming a market leader in the shipping insurance industry. She answered the questions posed below in hopes that getting to know her will make anyone looking for shipping insurance feel more secure when they choose U-PIC.
-
Bliss, can you freestyle a bit, tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a mother of three, an animal lover, very much into dogs and horses, a cook, a painter, a wine sommelier, and so much more. My family means the world to me, I am dedicated to my work, and I am so thankful for all the blessings that God has bestowed upon me.
-
What did you do before U-PIC?
I was an Identification Technician with the Inglewood Police Department, which is a little southwest of Los Angeles, CA. I processed crime scenes for evidence, provided expert testimony in court on criminal cases, and processed all of my own photography from the crime scenes.
-
Without giving away the farm, what are some things that you did to ensure that U-PIC was the market leader in its formative days?
I made the process to become a U-PIC customer less tedious than my competitors. I consolidated the paperwork and got as much information up front as I could to limit overlapping communication in order to get it done. Simplified everything. I made sure I paid claims faster than my competitors, and with ease. My rates were less and my staff was available for customer service more hours of the day. I made sure we got in front of as many groups and trade shows as we could. We created long term relationships with our customers. They weren’t, and aren’t, just a line item on our revenue reports.
-
Describe what shipping insurance is, to the individual who knows absolutely nothing about it.
Shipping insurance protects packages that get shipped with UPS, FedEx, USPS, DHL, etc., against loss, shortage, and damage. A shipper will still ship with the carrier as they are used to, but may elect to protect their package against unforeseen dangers from Point A to Point Z, by purchasing shipping insurance. While shipping insurance may be offered through the carrier directly, with a third party insurer like U-PIC, shippers have more flexibility, money savings, and time savings in the event that loss, shortage, or damage occurs. Shipping insurance provides the peace of mind that when these events happen, and they happen every day, the shipper’s customer will receive their purchase, and the shipper will not take a financial loss.
-
Describe a time when U-PIC saved a customer’s day.
I’ll go high level with this one. A lot of our new business comes in the form of referrals. Frankly, that makes me proud, because it tells me that we’re doing it right.
Over the last thirty years, I cannot even count the number of people who’ve been referred to us because they take major issue with one of the many challenges that either not insuring, self-insuring, or insuring through a carrier causes. The overwhelming majority of these people don’t know that a 3rd party option exists. For better or for worse, 3rd party shipping insurance is still a relatively niche market.
Over these years, my staff and I have had more discussions that have saved people’s days than is quantifiable. We’ve helped cut their shipping expenses by tens, or hundreds of millions of dollars. Perhaps even more. To help our prospective clients understand what they can do with the money saved, our sales staff likes to cite the experiences that some of our current clients have had. Recently, a client of ours who sells collector coins was able to save nearly $4,400 per month by insuring through U-PIC rather than the carrier. He turned around and used that savings to run a ton of ads on Facebook targeting his ideal demographic, and saw a sizeable increase in business because of it.
So think about how cool that is. This was money that he was already accustomed to spending on expensive insurance. After signing on with us, he used that same dollar amount for marketing and advertising, and grew his business. This is why I love what I do.
-
As a female business leader, you’re an inspiration to many. Have you ever considered mentoring other women who aspire to work to the same level of success you’ve achieved?
Yes! I’m hoping to mentor my daughter, should she choose a business career.
-
What do you recommend for future business leaders?
Write down goals for yourself. Understand the difference between a goal, and a pipe dream. Goals are achievable, if you know how to plan them properly. Start with your overall end goal. Then systematically break down that end goal, into smaller achievable goals based on a specific timeline. Continue to break down those goals, until you have daily goals that support your end goal. Achieve those small wins, every day, and you will then achieve your end goal! Review your goals annually, at the very least, and make adjustments as needed.
-
How do you like to spend your days off?
Three little letters – spa. A good massage takes me away. We’re fortunate to be one ~10 mile mountain range away from the SoCal beaches as well, so it’s not uncommon to catch me riding my bike on the boardwalk, or paddle boarding with my dog. My son is a country music singer, and I love to watch him perform. And there’s nothing like mother-daughter shopping for some great bonding time.
-
What book would you recommend every business leader read?
“Book Yourself Solid”, by Michael Port. This book stresses the importance of setting up a system by which you can put yourself in front of people in your best light. Building the right kind of reputation as a thought leader, a trustworthy partner, and someone who can be counted on to provide the right kind of service.
-
Who were your mentors along the way?
My father, and my Godfather.
-
As a female business leader in a male-dominated industry, you’re an inspiration to many. How do you feel about breaking barriers and making an impact?
I feel immensely proud of what we have achieved at U-PIC. Breaking barriers and making an impact in a male-dominated industry has been a challenging yet fulfilling journey. I firmly believe that diversity and inclusion are crucial for fostering innovation and success in any business. It is essential to create an environment where everyone's contributions are valued and respected.
As a woman in leadership, I have always aimed to empower other women to pursue their aspirations and overcome any obstacles they may encounter. I hope that my journey at U-PIC serves as an inspiration to others, showing them that with determination, hard work, and a supportive team, anything is possible. Together, we can continue to shatter stereotypes and build a more inclusive and diverse business landscape.