UPS & Tennis Legend Coco Gauff Inspire Gen Z-led Small Businesses
July 17, 2024
Courier service, UPS and seven-time tennis title winner, Coco Gauff have debuted an anime short as part of UPS’s 'Be Unstoppable' campaign. Launched in 2021, the initiative helps small businesses with diverse ownership grow. Now, the campaign is targeting the next generation of entrepreneurs highlighted with a new ad - ‘Coco vs The Doubters’. In the ad, Gauff defeats doubters alongside real-life Gen Z business owners. Junior Achievement, a national youth entrepreneurship non-profit, will also receive $25,000. The film is inspired by Gauff’s pre- and post-match ritual of watching anime.
In a recent survey, more than 80% of Gen Zers (the generation born in the late 1990s through the early 2010s) said they envision starting their own business. However, they also face challenges such as a lack of resources (budget, people or time), increasing visibility and more, as well as criticism and uncertainty.
“Doubters are fuel to my fire. I’m proud to partner with UPS to champion those who ignore the haters and chase after their dreams,” said Gauff, who serves as a role model for young people who have faced doubters on their journey to success. This is the second-year of UPS’s collaboration with Gauff in the effort to support the next generation of dreamers through resources and tools to face doubters and be unstoppable. Starting in August, fans can visit UPS to order a limited-edition UPS Express Box with anime illustrations of Gauff.
The Be Unstoppable campaign was launched to support diverse-owned SMBs (small and medium-sized businesses) disproportionately hard hit by the pandemic. Research showed that the pandemic led to greater earnings losses for business owners of color. It started by helping Black- and minority-owned SMBs in 2021 and women-owned SMBs in 2022 by forging partnerships with organizations that share the brand’s commitment to uplifting small businesses. This includes partnering with artists, financial organizations and non-profits that provide forgivable loans to SMBs, as well as collaborating with emerging fashion brands and filmmakers to strengthen the pipeline of diverse creatives looking to start and grow a business.
The courier service also focuses on educational training and providing young people with opportunities to succeed in the future through The UPS Store Start Small, Grow Big program. The program gives school-aged children lessons in financial literacy, work and career readiness and entrepreneurship. Additionally, The UPS Foundation supports scholarships and youth programs to offer educational resources and mentorship.
“UPS is proud to champion the next generation of dreamers who are not waiting to make their marks, from championships to small business wins’, said Chris Byrne, President of Marketing Strategy and Brand at UPS. ‘We are excited to kick off year two of our collaboration with Coco by highlighting UPS’s commitment to providing young entrepreneurs the support and resources they need to succeed.”