How'd We Grow Fast? Good People Practices.

Our printing and graphic communications franchise has achieved double-digit sales growth 14 out of the past 15 years, performing above the printing industry's average annual growth rate of 2% to 6%. What's our formula for success? Build your business on solid operations, financial and people practices.

When Jennifer Eberle and I purchased our Allegra Print & Imaging franchise back in 1992, it was still called an American Speedy Printing. We had worked together at another print firm while in college. At the time, we could not find a lending institution to take us seriously in our bid to buy the 1,200-sq.ft. franchise. We borrowed from our families and worked out a 10-year financing plan with the former owner. We paid him back in seven.

Today our business is among the top 5% of Allegra Network's franchise system, which includes nearly 400 print locations. We employ 18 and own a 10,660-sq.ft. facility built five years go; we invested $1 million to build the plant our way. Services offered go well beyond print to include design, brand strategy and mailing.

Investing in our company's technology offering is important, but we also invest heavily in our people, marketing and community. We offer employees flex time, invest in team building and profile our staff to gain insights on how to communicate with and motivate them. We strive to create a family-friendly workplace. Our efforts have resulted in low turnover; we had three employees leave and each has returned and is still here.

In the Allegra franchise network, we are known as extreme marketers. We've earned Allegra's International Marketing Award and have been recognized with numerous sales growth awards. Jennifer and I have been honored as top Allegra Network performers based on our company's operational excellence and sales volume.

When we opened our new location, we hand-delivered invitations to our clients to attend an open house. For that event, we turned our plant into a Las Vegas-style casino and hired an Elvis Presley impersonator.

Giving back to the community is also an important core value. We've returned 2% of every dollar in sales back to the community. This year, we awarded $40,000 in free printing and graphic design services through Allegra's FootPrint Fund, which provides nonprofits with the resources they need to “leave their footprint” in local communities. Since 2003, we've awarded over $200,000 to nonprofit organizations and groups.

Our company was recently selected to participate in Greater Louisville Inc.'s High Impact Program, a public/private partnership, initiated by our mayor and funded by Louisville Metro Government. The program's goal is to establish relationships with high-impact companies that result in further job and wealth creation in the community

This year marks a special anniversary for our company—“Sweet Sixteen.” We are celebrating all year long culminating in a super-sweet party on October 16. After all, who wouldn't want to be 16 again? Our 16th year is certainly looking very sweet.