12-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, August 5, 2003 Printing franchise owner says he's found town 'friendly' place to do business over the past year By STEPHANIE THIESSEN The Champion T osay the past year has prie by in a whirlwmnd for Ted Webb seemns to be a bit of an understatement. But its by no means been a breeze. Mr. Webb is owner of Milton's Minuteman Press, a company that observed its first anniversary last month. It was a time of celebration for Mr. Webb, but alto reflection as to the many challenges and vctonies the company bas experi- enced. "The year bas just shot by. I could- n't believe we were com-ing up te the first year," Mr. Webb said. Minuteman Press prides itself on being a full service print centre serving Milton's small and medium-sized businesses, as well as some larger cempanies. Front let- terhead te business ferms te brochures, Mr. Webb said Minuteman Press does it ail. One-step printing Since the cempany employs a qualified graphics designer. Vicky Dradik, Mr. Webb said Minuteman cari take care of its clients every step cf the ssay - from desigming materials te printing and binding them. The cempany empicys tour people at its I 600-square-foot tacitity at 348 Bronte St. S.. unit 16. Speediness is the ciamte of the game where printing's concemed. said, Mr. Webb - hence the came cf the cempany. Since Minutemen is a franchise, Mr. Webb said its able te provide even quieker and more reltable service tao s clients than if ct were independent. "If there's a projeet that's tee big and sse can't de it in the back cf the store. we can cail upon our franchise (te help)," he said. Mr. Webb said he attributes much cf Minuteman's succcss te its customer serv- ice and personal touch. When he fiist began, it was important te Mr. Webb te visit Mlten's businesses and introduce hianself. And as those businesses beceme clients, Mr. Webb said lie contin- ues tisat persona] service. 1I pick up their aitwork and deiver their produci. 1 dont expect them to simply come ec us," he said. The biggest challenge in the company's fOrsi few months was getîing knewn. Mr. Webb said. He said he hasn't donc mucli newspaper advertising, but began sending monthly flyers te Milton's businesses. That, cembined with his persenal visits te businesses, gaunered the company many clients, he said. "We've been received very well. Milton is vcry friendly - that's one cf the reasons we came here. Its grewing and it's a place 1 enjoy doing business," he said. Mr. Webb currently lives in Kitchener and is looking te soon move te Milton or a surrounding community. He didn't alssays work in the printng industry. For 28 years. Mr. Webb said he had a career un information technolcgy 1cr large cempantes. One cf the îasks he man- aged was intemnal print functions. "That's hew 1 was intreduced te the print service.' Afier nearly three decades working in information technology. Mr. Webb said he needed a change. I ceuld de censulting or something different. Se t decided te get into Uhc print business." Mr. Webb said thse idea of 'centrolling my ewn destiny" was initially an attrac- tion. He said he was aise drawn te the fact that he could be involved with ail aspects of the business- from sales te marketing to production. -AIse. 1 wanted te work in a smaller environment,' he saîd. -1 had a lot cf peo- ple reporting te me ( before). It was satisfv- ung. but 1 needed something different.- Mr. Webb said bc'd like te Uiank Milton businesses for their support ever the past ycar. "They've been respensive and friendly. And people have been friendly and accept- ing when I've interrupted theii days te introduce myself." Stephanie Thiessen can be reached at ethir s 4o»msI 4ïw m îauhampuy-na cm. Business Forms Business Cards Letterhead Envelopes Brochures Flyers Grap/iic Design Free Pickup & Delivery Eull Colour Printing Set-vices P/iotocopying Finishing and much more! Minuteman Press graph- ie designer Vicky Drabik (eft) and owner Ted Webb hold up a tew samples of their prlntlng work outalde their Bronte Streetstore- front Photo by GRA4HAM PAINE Our coflpe tiVe prices & unsurpassed service witl make it sweeter! MINUTEMAN PRESSO 348 Bronte Stret South, Unit #16 90 5-m8 78-82 03 12