Amazon to help people start businesses delivering its packages

If you ever had a dream of having your own business, Amazon is launching a new program to help make that happen.

Starting Thursday, people in more than two dozen states, including Washington, can apply to be one of Amazon's "Delivery Service Partners."

With a minimum investment of $10,000, Amazon will help aspiring business owners open and run their own delivery service handling Amazon packages.

“In this environment, entrepreneurs don’t have to fight for customers. They don’t have to fight for sales,” said Dave Clark, Amazon’s VP of Worldwide Operations. “They get the opportunity with our demand to have a good consistent value, to grow with Amazon as we grow.”

Amazon estimates a successful owner who runs up to 40 vehicles in their fleet could make up to $300,000 in profit per year.

The company has been doing test runs of this program over the past year.

One of the participants, Ola Abimbola, started five months ago and is now running a company employing 40 drivers.

“This is a piece of an American dream for me, you know,” said Abimbola, who emigrated to the U.S. from Nigeria in 2001. “The name (Amazon) is great but everything that came after that ... contributes to the success we have today."

All entrepreneurs who participate in the program offer their employees competitive wages, health benefits and paid time off.

Amazon is also offering incentives for military veterans, committing $1 million to fund startups for those who qualify.

Amazon will still use services like UPS and FedEx, but this program could reduce its reliance on outside delivery partners.

More news from KIRO 7

• Council committee moves forward new Seattle gun control bill
• Washington prepares for autonomous vehicles
• Amazon delivery vans to hit the street
• Woman dead, man in custody in Auburn
• After attempted kidnapping, Seattle police search for suspect seen on camera

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP

Cox Media Group