Veteran couple finds new way to serve community with Goin’ Postal Mansfield

ONTARIO — Lisa Francis spent 20 years serving her community through the 179th Airlift Wing. Now, she has traded a military uniform for a shipping counter, but the mission remains familiar.

Francis and her husband, Aaron, recently opened Goin’ Postal Mansfield in the Ontario Walmart/Applewood Plaza. The veteran-owned business gives them a new way to serve the community they call home.

The couple opened their doors June 22 and celebrated the grand opening Monday afternoon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, food, door prizes and a chance for the community to visit the new business.

(Story continues below. Photo from the ribbon-cutting on Monday. Provided by Lisa Francis.)

Goin’ Postal Mansfield is located at 311 N. Lexington-Springmill Rd., Suite 115. The store is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is closed Saturday and Sunday.

From an empty storefront to a new business

The couple saw a need in Ontario for a place where residents and businesses could access FedEx, UPS, DHL and U.S. Postal Service shipping options under one roof.

“One of the most rewarding parts has been hearing customers share their shipping frustrations and then tell us how relieved they are to finally have help right around the corner,” Francis said. 

“Customers were often making multiple stops or traveling out of their way simply to ship a package,” she added. “We decided to do something about it.”

In March, the couple began transforming the former Mattress Matters location. They stripped out the old store and tackled the walls, painting, signs, inspections, building codes and unexpected challenges that arise with opening a business.

The store offers shipping, packing, printing, shredding and notary services. The couple also plans to expand services for local small businesses, including virtual mailboxes, graphic design and technology-based business solutions.

Goin’ Postal Mansfield operates as part of the Goin’ Postal network. The Price family founded the company in Zephyrhills, Florida, in 2002. The company has grown from one location into a nationwide network of nearly 170 independently owned and operated stores.

More than anything, I want people to feel at home in my store, know us by name and feel like they can count on my team.

Lisa francis, owner of goin’ postal mansfield

Francis said other Ontario businesses have stopped by with gifts and words of encouragement, while some customers have already become regulars.

“I’m always surprised by how supportive the community is. It’s just something you don’t expect,” she said.

“We already have customers coming back, some come every day. They always walk out saying, ‘I’ll let everyone know you’re here.’”

Service beyond the uniform

“I’m also surprised by how many people walk in and say, ‘I had no idea you were here, Ontario really needed you,’” she said. “It’s been fun watching people discover us and it feels great to be useful.”

Francis said she wants customers to feel relief when they walk through the store’s doors knowing they have someone who will help them.

Shipping can often leave residents stressed about boxes, labels and where to go next when they send a package, Francis said. She wants customers to know they can bring their packages to Goin’ Postal and get help figuring it out.

“More than anything, I want people to feel at home in my store, know us by name and feel like they can count on my team.”

Francis retired as a senior master sergeant from the 179th Airlift Wing where she served as the public affairs manager for 20 years. Aaron continues to serve with the 179th Cyberspace Wing.

Military service has shaped many aspects of her life, Francis said, teaching her the importance of putting service before self, caring for others, acting with integrity, being dependable and working hard to achieve excellent service.

“You can’t spend years serving your country and just stop serving because you retired,” she said. “I’ve realized that I’ve simply found a different way to continue serving my community.”