Archive for May, 2008

Originally published in the North County News, May 2008. By Bob Dumas

When Keith Fisher retired from a career in law enforcement, he decided he wanted to become a business owner. Exactly what kind of business, he wasn’t sure, so he did some research.

Fisher’s search led him to PostNet, a business that provides mailboxes, shipping, copying and printing for individuals and small businesses.

“When I was looking for a business for myself, this one really interested me because I saw that there was a need in this area,” he said.

The former cop officially opened his store, located at the Somers Common Shopping Center on Route 6 this past January, but he called that a “soft opening.”

“That was so we could iron out all the kinks before the grand opening,” he explained. The store held its grand opening last Friday – an event attended by an array of local dignitaries, including Somers Supervisor Mary Beth Murphy, state Senator Vincent Leibell and state Assemblyman Greg Ball.

Fisher, 40, a Carmel resident, spent two weeks in Denver training to be a PostNet franchise owner. He called the training “intense” but said the lessons learned are passed on to employees to set the business apart from the competition.

“We get compared to places like Kinko’s and Staples, but I own this business,” he said. “We have fabulous customer service. I tell [employees] that everyone is to be greeted with a smile before they put one foot on the carpet. You go in some of these other places and if you have a problem their attitude is, ‘don’t look at me.’”

Fisher said he’s targeting small business and those with home offices as primary customers. PostNet can print business cards, fliers, brochures and banners. He offers shipping through all major carriers and is happy to package items as well.

“[PostNet] is not really recognized in the Northeast yet, but it will come,” he said. “There’s a need for it, even in this down economy. In fact, we got four new accounts last week from businesses trying to reach their pool of customers. This business is kind of recession proof.”

PostNet International Franchise Corporation today announced that Steven J. Greenbaum, CEO, and Brian Spindel, President/COO, are finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® 2008 Award in the Rocky Mountain region.

According to Ernst & Young LLP, the awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Greenbaum and Spindel were selected as finalists by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be announced at a special gala event on June 19, 2008, at the Belmar Center.

PostNet CEO Greenbaum said, “Both Brian and I are proud to have been selected as finalists and owe a debt of gratitude to our staff, franchisees, and customers of PostNet Centers across the U.S. and in the nine countries in which we operate for making this recognition possible.”

Spindel added, “Being selected finalists for this prestigious award validates our belief in developing our franchise system with the best interests of our franchisees as a foremost consideration.”

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards program celebrates its 22nd anniversary this year. The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in over 135 cities in 50 countries throughout the world.

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 15, 2008. The awards are the concluding portion of Ernst & Young’s Strategic Growth Forum, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

PostNet International Franchise Corporation today announced that Steven J. Greenbaum, CEO, and Brian Spindel, President/COO, are finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® 2008 Award in the Rocky Mountain region.

According to Ernst & Young LLP, the awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Greenbaum and Spindel were selected as finalists by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be announced at a special gala event on June 19, 2008, at the Belmar Center.

PostNet CEO Greenbaum said, “Both Brian and I are proud to have been selected as finalists and owe a debt of gratitude to our staff, franchisees, and customers of PostNet Centers across the U.S. and in the nine countries in which we operate for making this recognition possible.”

Spindel added, “Being selected finalists for this prestigious award validates our belief in developing our franchise system with the best interests of our franchisees as a foremost consideration.”

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards program celebrates its 22nd anniversary this year. The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in over 135 cities in 50 countries throughout the world.

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 15, 2008. The awards are the concluding portion of Ernst & Young’s Strategic Growth Forum, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.