Spotlight: They Said I Was Insane – The Untold Story of a Fearless Business Owner

By Ronald Smith

Once upon a time, they told me I was out of my mind. Can you imagine that? Little did they know, I was about to embark on an unforgettable journey of determination and success.

Let me take you back to those early days, when the whispers of doubt filled the air. With every step I took towards my dream, the naysayers grew louder. They believed my ambitions were foolish, unattainable even. But I had a fire burning inside me – a relentless passion that refused to be extinguished.

I took a leap of faith, diving headfirst into uncharted waters. The road ahead was treacherous, filled with obstacles waiting to trip me up. But armed with unwavering grit and an unwavering belief in myself, I forged ahead.

Each day brought its own set of challenges. But every setback was met with an equal measure of resilience. I refused to allow the doubters to dictate my path. Instead, I turned their uncertainty into fuel to propel me forward.

And guess what? I made it. Against all odds, I transformed my dream into reality. My business thrived, surpassing even my own expectations. And with each victory, the once-skeptical voices faded into the background, replaced by a resounding chorus of admiration.

So, my friend, let this be a lesson to us all. When others doubt your capabilities, embrace the challenge. Let their skepticism fuel your determination, propelling you towards greatness. It may seem daunting at first, but remember, the greatest achievements often arise from the depths of uncertainty.

Never allow the fear of failure or the discouragement of others to hold you back. Your dreams are valid, and you possess the power to turn them into reality. Trust in yourself and your abilities, and let your determination be the guiding force on your extraordinary journey.

Spotlight: They Said I Was Insane - The Untold Story of a Fearless Business Owner

When I decided to start my own printing business by purchasing a Minuteman Press franchise, everyone thought I was out of my mind.

Why? Well, they believed that print was a dying industry.

But I didn’t let that discourage me. I knew that technology and innovation could revitalize even the oldest of industries.

In fact, my Levittown franchise in New York became the pioneer among Minuteman Press locations by introducing 3D printing in-house.

Come along with me on my journey into entrepreneurship and learn more about my business in this week’s Small Business Spotlight.

What My Business Does:

We take care of all the printing and design needs for businesses like yours.

The company I work for can handle all your design and printing needs. We can create banners, coupons, and other promotional materials for you. But that’s not all – we also offer digital services like web design and digital document creation.

Our Specialization:

Our main focus is providing fast and efficient service to our clients. We know how important it is to get things done quickly and effectively. In fact, I used to own businesses myself before starting this company. That experience has helped me understand what our customers need and how to serve them better.

We’re called Minuteman for a reason. Our goal is to complete jobs for our clients quickly and efficiently. I have been in my customers’ shoes, so I can offer them the expertise they need to grow their business through print materials and digital technology.

On top of all that, our Levittown franchise was the first in our company to offer in-house 3D printing. So we are always looking for innovative ways to serve our customers better.

After spending years as an entrepreneur, I have come to realize the importance of being in control of my own destiny. Let me share with you my journey.

I grew up in a family business and worked there for the first 22 years of my career. But in 2001, we sold our business and I found myself working for the company that bought us. It didn’t take long for me to realize that I was just an employee, simply collecting a paycheck without any say in my own future. It was time for a change.

So, my brother and I decided to embark on a new venture – a social network that allowed people to record their voices and share them on platforms like Facebook and Twitter. While this idea seemed perfect for my brother, it didn’t align with my own skills and comfort zone. That’s when I made the tough decision to step away from that business.

After a few consulting gigs, it became clear to me that I needed to be in charge of my own business once again. I missed the satisfaction and freedom that comes with owning your own destiny. And so, I set out on a mission to reclaim that control.

So, I did some digging and figured out that a Minuteman Press franchise would be absolutely perfect for me. It aligns perfectly with my experience and the things I want to do.

Spotlight: They Said I Was Insane - The Untold Story of a Fearless Business Owner

Guess what my personal goal is?

I want to make our business grow by 10 percent every year.

You know what the biggest risk I took was?

I bought a business in an industry that everyone said was dying.

Printing wasn’t exactly a hot thing when I decided to get into it. And my friends and family were quick to remind me of that. Here’s what I have to say about it:

They said, ‘Printing is dying.’ But I have no regrets. I love my choice and I love going to work now. I’m super excited for the future, and those who initially doubted me are now my biggest supporters.

Wanna know the lesson I learned from all this?

I wish I had done this 10 years earlier!

Spotlight: They Said I Was Insane - The Untold Story of a Fearless Business Owner

How I Would Spend an Extra $100,000:

If I had an extra $100,000, I would use it to buy another business and bring it into Minuteman Press.

What I Love About Running a Business:

One of my favorite things about running a business is that I get to work with all kinds of different companies.

I’ve had the opportunity to work with restaurants, bars, doctors, lawyers, pet stores, accountants, and so many more.

If you want to learn more about the Small Biz Spotlight program, check it out!