Fueling a Viral Sensation with Strategic Financing

All stories are real, as told by real business owners. Customers do not receive monetary compensation for telling their stories.

Tom Schumer, owner of Express Retail Solutions, built his direct-to-store delivery (DSD) business from humble beginnings in a garage eight years ago. With his two sons joining him on the journey from trucks to warehouses, Tom meticulously grew his general merchandise operation from local stores to a nationwide and even international distribution network, serving major chains like 7-Eleven.

While traditionally strong in toys, Express Retail Solutions diversified into candy a few years back. This strategic move paid off unexpectedly with the sudden explosion of Dubai chocolate. This unique, premium candy bar became a viral sensation thanks to TikTok and other social media platforms, leading to unprecedented demand.

"It came out of left field hard and fast," Tom recalls. "I don't think a lot of candy buyers... understood the power of social media and how fast something can explode." Sales for Dubai chocolate through 7-Eleven were "through the roof," quickly making it Express Retail Solutions' biggest product. The challenge immediately shifted from selling to keeping up with the immense supply demands.

The rapid growth, while exhilarating, put immense strain on Express Retail Solutions' internal capital. Tom had been self-funding the scale-up, but the sheer volume of purchase orders threatened to deplete their resources and disrupt their established day-to-day operations. He realized they needed significant, flexible funding to capitalize on this unexpected boom without jeopardizing the rest of their business.

"When something explodes, you just don't have enough money to support it," Tom explains. He understood that to truly make the Dubai chocolate phenomenon take off and maintain their high standards of delivery for all clients, they needed a substantial financial partner.

Tom embarked on a thorough search, interviewing numerous lenders. He explored various financing options, from traditional loans to private financing. However, he knew the scale of this opportunity demanded more than just friends-and-family capital. "We needed real funding, a real partner," he stated.

Through this meticulous selection process, Biz2Credit emerged as the ideal solution. Tom found their revenue-based financing product to be the perfect fit for their unique situation. This flexible funding allowed Express Retail Solutions to access the necessary capital to fulfill the large purchase orders from 7-Eleven corporate, enabling efficient shipping across the entire country.

The impact of Biz2Credit's financing was immediate and profound. With the capital in place, Express Retail Solutions could "drive our profits the way they should, not lose sales, not be late on purchase orders." The funding eliminated the internal stress of managing such rapid expansion, ensuring they could move quickly and smoothly. Tom emphasizes the importance of delivering on promises: "When you say a tractor-trailer is going to be there at 6:00, the tractor-trailer is there with the goods." This reliability not only satisfied clients but also reinforced their strong reputation.

Tom Schumer's journey from a garage startup to a national distributor, supported by his sons, is a testament to perseverance and strategic partnership. For other entrepreneurs, Tom offers powerful advice: "Believe in yourself. Believe in your mission. Don't be afraid. A lot of people never make that jump." He believes that with self-belief and commitment, the right partners will follow.

With Biz2Credit's support, Express Retail Solutions continues to thrive, successfully navigating unexpected growth and demonstrating how strategic financing can transform a viral trend into sustainable profitability.