Dimitry Alper did not plan to become the founder of an international shipping company. He studied at Baruch College, City University of New York and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in business and communications.
He continued his education in law, obtaining his Juris Doctor from City University of New York School of Law in 2009 and completed his litigation internship with Levine & Blit. He also held a position at the New York State Attorney General’s Office as well as Newman & Okun.
Over the next ten years, he practiced maritime law. It was no accident that he had the knowledge of the shipping industry, the savvy to recognize a need in the industry, and the know-how to solve the problem. That knowing changed the course of his life.
Dimitry founded the Prestige Shipping Group, an international logistics organization that exports cargo primarily from the US and internationally. For the past twelve years, they have been shipping cargo which consists of vehicles, boats, and heavy machinery. The Prestige Shipping Group has warehouses across New York, Georgia, Miami, Texas, and Seattle. With their main destinations in the Middle East. Dubai, Jordan, West Africa. Europe, Germany, and Poland.
Running an international shipping business may not have been Dimitry Alper’s first career choice; however, the Prestige Shipping Group has been a thriving business under his leadership as Founder and CEO for over twelve years.
What do you actively do at the Prestige Shipping Group?
I am an active CEO and I am very hands-on in managing and running the overall operations. I manage staff, meet clients, and oversee the warehouse operations. I also work on new business development to secure new contracts with the carriers and subcontractors.
What was the inspiration behind prestige shipping?
It actually came about by accident. I’m a licensed attorney, and I was working in IT maritime law, dealing with several companies that do a similar sort of business. I liked the business and I recognized a niche that was not being fulfilled within the industry. I thought I’d be able to do better and so far so good.
What defines your way of doing business?
Our business is very customer service oriented. We adapt our solutions to our client’s needs. It is an ever-changing market, we are never stable. When we see a client has a specific requirement to be filled. We devise a solution that will cater to their needs and get their cargo as fast and as economically as possible.
What are the keys to being productive you can share?
The most important key to being productive is organization. I have to hire and manage a good staff. People are key. Finding the right people and keeping them happy to retain them on staff, will assure that they will be attentive to our customers’ needs.
How do you measure success?
Measuring our growth year after year with positive feedback would be my closest measure of success. If the people I’m dealing with are happy and the business keeps growing, then I consider that we’re running a successful business.
What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned through the course of your career?
The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is to not take this business to heart, yet, be hands-on and always practice what you preach.
What advice would you give to others aspiring to succeed in logistics and shipping?
I would advise people to work hard and pay attention to the needs in the market. I’d also advise them to see what they can do differently from the competitors in the industry and to fulfill that niche.
How would your colleagues describe you?
I believe my colleagues would describe me as hardworking, motivated, and no-nonsense. Also, they would say I’m pretty fair and balanced.
How do you maintain a solid work-life balance?
I probably don’t. My version of a work-life balance is that it’s possible to work remotely. As long as I stay attentive to my work. I don’t always have to be on site. So I’ve taken some time to do that.
What is a piece of technology that helps you the most in your daily routine?
We have created our own WMS software specifically for our business. It assists both our clients and our staff with tracking cargo. The software is the biggest advantage we could have possibly created for ourselves.
What has been the hardest obstacle you’ve overcome
The biggest obstacle I had to overcome was starting this company from the ground up and building relationships with clients and vendors.
What is one piece of advice you have never forgotten?
That markets are cyclical and there are good times and bad so you just got to weather the storm.