Success Story: From Four Trucks of Purses to a Global Supply Network: How Brett Rose Built a Multimillion-Dollar Wholesale Empire
ATLANTA, GA. — What started with four trucks of women’s purses and a borrowed loan from his parents has grown into a multimillion-dollar global enterprise. Brett Rose, founder and CEO of United National Consumer Suppliers (UNCS), built one of the largest wholesale distribution networks in the U.S., now supplying over 165,000 retailers across 34 countries — including Macy’s, TJX, Dollar Tree, Sam’s Club, and Amazon.
His story is one of persistence, creativity, and an unshakable belief that every obstacle is just another lesson in business.
Starting From Zero — and Losing It All in Week One
Over two decades ago, Rose’s journey began with a risky deal that nearly derailed his dream before it started.
“About 23 years ago, I had a friend whose dad had four trucks of women’s purses sitting in a warehouse,” Rose recalled. “They weren’t designer — but they were something I could sell. I picked up the Yellow Pages and found someone who wanted to buy them.”
It sounded like a good first deal — until one of the trucks carrying the merchandise crashed and rolled over, leaving Rose to navigate his first insurance claim in his first week of business.
“I had to learn how to file a claim — the things they don’t teach you in school,” he said. “But against my parents’ better judgment, I decided to try again.”
He soon bought a truck of rubber bands, then a truck of sewing needles and thread. Little by little, he learned how to buy and sell surplus goods and started to build relationships with small retailers.
Landing the First Major Deals
Rose’s big break came when he reached out to a Massachusetts-based retailer called Christmas Tree Shops, which later became part of Bed Bath & Beyond.
“I literally went on AOL, found their number, picked up the phone, and introduced myself,” he said. “I probably gave off that I was bigger than I was.”
That deal led to another — with Dollar General, one of the largest retailers in the country at the time. But Rose still had to learn fast. When asked if he had $5 million in liability insurance, he confidently said yes — then immediately called a friend to ask what liability insurance even was.
“I was faking it until I made it,” he laughed.
Soon after, UNCS started gaining momentum. “After every deal we did, we added another retailer,” Rose said. “I’d ask friends which stores they liked and just figure out how to make it happen.”
Building a Global Distribution Powerhouse
Today, UNCS moves hundreds of millions of dollars in goods each quarter, selling to major department stores, online marketplaces, convenience outlets, and even farm and feed stores — a category Rose admits he never stepped foot in until his 30s.
The company’s strength, he says, lies in diversification and agility. “We’re not dependent on any single retailer,” Rose explained. “That flexibility has kept us strong through tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and changing consumer habits.”
Tech and Data Take Center Stage
After nearly 20 years in business, UNCS has evolved into a tech-driven organization that uses real-time data to forecast demand, optimize logistics, and analyze product performance.
“We’re now a tech company that happens to do merchandise distribution — not the other way around,” Rose said. “That shift has allowed us to grow 10x faster. Every day is a new educational opportunity.”
The integration of technology has turned what used to be a traditional wholesale model into a data-powered operation that fuels both growth and efficiency.
The Return of the Mall — and the Future of Retail
Surprisingly, Rose believes the future of retail is physical — not purely digital.
“My kids are 12 and 14, and they still love going to the mall,” he said. “It’s like a social meetup — they see friends, hang out, and shop. It reminded me of the 1980s and 1990s.”
He points to Aventura Mall in South Florida as a model for the future — an experience-driven space that blends luxury shopping, dining, art, and entertainment. “People aren’t just buying things — they’re buying experiences,” he said.
Advice for Entrepreneurs: Just Start and Stay Agile
Rose attributes his success to staying curious, resilient, and connected.
“A professor once told me, ‘Stop worrying about what you want to do for the rest of your life — just figure out what you want to do next,’” he recalled. “That advice stuck with me.”
He urges new entrepreneurs to leverage technology, expand their networks, and avoid perfection paralysis.
“Tech has shortened the runway,” Rose said. “Now, anyone can start a business and go global immediately. Just start — and use your network. You never know who can connect you to the right person.”
Above all, Rose believes success is built on generosity. “We have two hands — one to help ourselves and one to help others,” he said. “If helping someone doesn’t bring me more business, that’s fine. Because it always comes full circle.”
For more stories of entrepreneurs who built success from the ground up, follow SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com, where we spotlight innovation, leadership, and the human side of business growth.
