What it does: Great Kolor serves as an Advocacy Agency assisting many Bay Area Non Profits in securing low or no cost outdoor ad space and then printing and delivering the finished graphics.
HQ: Walnut Creek.
Background: Graduated from CUNY-Brooklyn College with BA in Social Science. Sales career in photographic equipment supplies evolved into graphics output with a major focus towards helping the Non Profit world.
Big picture
Reason for starting business: Just a few months shy of 50 years old, was laid off.Most difficult part of decision: Wasn’t very difficult, in a sink or swim moment it’s good to know that you can always swim.
Biggest plus of ownership: To a large degree you’re responsible for and in charge of your own destiny, which is very empowering.
Biggest drawback: The negative is the flip side of the positive, being in charge puts it all on you. So it depends on your state of mind, success or failure is up to you.
Biggest misconception: Misconceptions, miscommunications, mistakes - all the same to us and they just can't happen. In our business it's all based on very individual graphics projects that have to be perfect and delivered on time. If not, they're useless and that's why we have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We begin every job with a one page document that includes the unique specifications, production, turnaround time, and price commitment. Client's signature (plus mine) is required before the work moves forward. In five years time, we've been very close to perfection. August 2007 we printed an incorrectly spec'd restaurant window graphic. That one messed job still bothers me.
Biggest business strength: Very fortunate that we have many long term clients that continue to give us glowing endorsements for reliability, quality and dedication to excellent customer service.
Biggest business weakness: None. Well okay, maybe it’s outreach time management, and not putting enough energy into bringing in new clients. Fortunately we continue to receive solid referrals that turn into new business.
Biggest risk: There really isn’t much risk, Great Kolor is a tight little business. Biggest Mistake: Except for the one mis-spec'd window graphic, honestly I can't think of anything.
Smartest move: Mid 2009 decision to put resources into the organization of a brief and to the point non-profit education program called the Not-For-Profit Publicity Workshop. Three were held in 2009 and eight more are scheduled for 2010. The volunteer venues like ODC Dance, California Historical Society, Mission Cultural Center and Robert Cameron’s Environmental Journey have all been excellent and feedback from the Non-Profit's has been terrific.
Daily routine
Most challenging task: The demands of ever faster turnaround times. Least favorite task: Paperwork.
Favorite task: Aligning clients needs with Great Kolor’s resources and graphics output capabilities.
Biggest frustration: Voice mail tag.
Dreams
First move with capital windfall: Repair our home, pay off the mortgage and take a much delayed three month around the world vacation, just me and the Mrs.
Key goal yet to achieve: Financial stability. For a short moment of time it was in my grasp, then the housing bust cleaned my clock. That's okay, lesson learned, we'll get there.
Five year plan: Take that three month vacation.
Inducement to sell: I really enjoy doing this so it would have to be a ridiculous amount of money.
Personal
Most-admired entrepreneur: Benjamin Franklin.
Stress reducers: Listening to motivational CD’s on the drive home.
Favorite pastimes: Hiking the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range with my sons.
Favorite book: “The Magic of Thinking Big”, Dr. David J Schwartz.
Favorite restaurant: Nordstrom’s Café.