Ron Sr. had done a great job at growing Snappy into one of the most successful, locally owned print shops in town with a focus on face to face relationships and helping their small business clients grow. His goal was to someday turn the family business over to his only son, Ron Jr. Ron never missed a day of work and he loved growing the family business. “He was infatuated with the business”, says Ron Jr., “even if there was 4 feet of snow on the ground and we were going to be closed for the day he would still find a way to make it in just in case someone came by or needed something.”
Family time is different these days, so is the business. On January 3, 2009 Ron Sr. died unexpectedly. His hopes that his son would one day take over the business had happened overnight, but not how anyone had planned. Although he looked forward to the day his son could take over, he loved the business so much that he had kept the majority of the day to day operations close to his chest so he could make sure everything was done just the way he liked it. “There was a lot of stuff that no one really knew how to take care of because he (Ron Sr.) kept it so close to the cuff.” Ron Jr. had to step into the role of business owner and make sure Snappy Print would survive after the devastating loss of his father. “I had to go from being a passenger on the bus to driving the bus in one day, it was just something I had to work through and figure out.”
It was a difficult transition for the family. The hardest part, according to Ron Jr., was the time frame. “Trying to figure out so much in such a small amount of time was tough” says Ron, but with employees, his mother (now a widow) and his own family relying on the business for their livelihood, Ron took the reins and never looked back. Fortunately, his dad had a little more help to offer the family even though he was gone.
Ron Sr. had set up life insurance to provide for his wife and allow for a cushion at Snappy Print in case something were to happen to him before Ron Jr. took over. “The life insurance provided the money to take care of the business finances during the transition and put a little comfort there so we knew we were going to be able to keep the business going the way my dad wanted it to happen." That cushion gave Ron Jr. the financial space needed for him to learn the things his dad had not yet taught him. He’s since become a pro at negotiating with vendors, managing the day-to-day operations and keeping Snappy on the path his dad had put it on so many years ago.
The life insurance Ron Sr. had purchases did even more than just provide for the business. According to Ron Jr, “it provided things that we probably never would have envisioned. It allows us to go places and enjoy things even though we’re missing that key person. It’s helped us as a family to enjoy life a little bit more and fill a void that’s there and fulfill some dreams that he had. It allows us to do some things with my mom that she had planned on doing with my dad in their retirement years.”
Although Snappy Print’s focus is still personal relationships with local businesses, Ron’s also expanded the business and added on-line aspects to Snappy Print to keep them competitive in the printing industry. Snappy can handle printing, promotional products, business use items – forms, envelopes, business cards – full design work, mailings, and a heck of a lot more. I loved Ron’s answer when I asked him what kind of business Snappy Print does the most; “the bulk of our business is all of the things that businesses need, we specialize in taking care of businesses.”
Ron still misses his dad every day. The motorcycle rides and family vacations will never be the same. Snappy Print will never be the same either without Ron Sr., but thanks to his planning and love for his family and also to Ron Jr’s hard work at the family business, the doors are still open. Everyone is still employed. They’re still helping Colorado Springs with their printing needs and the family is doing okay.
Stop by and say hi to Ron next time you’re near their shop at Maizeland and Academy. Ron Jr. will make sure they get your business needs taken care of, and who knows, maybe he’ll even share some stories about his dad.
Snappy Print is located at 3923 Maizeland Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80917. You can get more information on Snappy Print at www.snappyprint.net.
1 comment:
I've known this family most of my life. They truly were the model of a close, team-based family that truly loved each other and worked for the benefit of one another. Ron Sr. gave me some respect and advice that will stay with me always. He was an amazing person.
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