HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – When Joe Jereb purchased longtime independent print shop Copymat and transitioned it into Minuteman Press in Hollywood, CA, he saw an opportunity to modernize a trusted local business while expanding the services available to customers. Since becoming a Minuteman Press franchise owner in November of 2023, Joe has embraced the Minuteman Press system and quickly positioned his center for growth by combining fast turnaround times, full-service marketing solutions, and hands-on customer support. From leveraging internet marketing and networking to managing complex projects for local businesses, Joe has built on Copymat’s strong reputation while introducing new capabilities that help clients work smarter and move faster in the demanding Hollywood market.

Joe shares the following key insights based on his experience with Minuteman Press:

Training & Support: “Tom Carnesi and Pete Taglino at MPIHQ run a great training course. If I were any more enthusiastic about the support from SoCal Area Manager Damien Neitzke, I'd have to get a Damien tattoo! He has been an invaluable resource for my shop since Day 1. He is not just the go-to for shop operations but is a great sounding board for thoughts on marketing strategy and personnel development, the works.”

“Talking to franchisees from other businesses, I see how this level of support is definitely not the norm. It’s a big part of the value I find in being part of Minuteman Press.” -Joe Jereb

Transition from Copymat to Minuteman Press: “Copymat was an old school operation — order by phone, paper invoices, etc. The customers were immediately impressed by the online ordering and payment capabilities of Minuteman Press. They were also happy to learn that they can come to us for all their promotional and mailing needs. Copymat had a long-time presence in Hollywood but was focused on standard paper and ink printing. The full-service aspect we offer has been a great selling point.”

World Expo: “I was very happy I made it to Las Vegas for the Minuteman Press World Expo last summer. I had no idea how informative and energizing the sessions would be. It was also great to meet so many of the stars from MPIHQ in person. There were so many quality vendors; being able to meet face-to-face and give constructive feedback was (I hope) useful for both sides.”

Marketing: “Is there any other answer to this question than Internet Marketing? I tend to hear ‘I found you online’ when I ask a new customer what brought them to my shop. At the same time, I have been doing a lot of networking for more than a year, and I am seeing the fruits of those efforts.”

Supporting Local Businesses: “In Hollywood, the standard deadline is yesterday, so being able to turn things around quickly even on the same day is a big part of our offering. Where we really stand out is in our ability to be more than a printer and to effectively be a project manager for our customers. My favorite conversations with customers are those the client has a mile-long to-do list. I'll simply ask, "Why don't you let me take care of that for you?" It usually involves mailing and distributing materials or completing a multi-city project. It is always a thrill to hear someone ask, "Wait, you can do that, too?" We know we just made someone's workday a bit easier.”

Final Thoughts: “For an allegedly dying industry, print is incredibly dynamic. It seems there is always something new around the next corner. At the high value-add part of the market, I believe there will always be a demand for service, wide product selection, and reliable logistics. Minuteman Press recognizes that and as a franchisee, I appreciate that focus on innovation. I guess you don't last 50 years and grow to over 1,000 locations worldwide with a ‘time to make the donuts’ mindset!”