Location: 330 Progress Road, West Carrollton
Owners name: Dan & Patti Bir
Years in operation: 38 years
Describe what your business does: At Randd Associates, we spend our entire day helping others get what they need, when they need it. We can print anything on anything. We are a marketing company that offers materials for other companies to promote their business. It might be through promotional products, paper-type printed materials like brochures, envelopes, business cards, labels, etc. We do embroidered and screen-printed apparel on any brand or style. We also do signs, banners, stickers, window, floor graphics and so much more. Our graphic design department can do any design work and layout with the capabilities of working with about any program. We will take on any project from inception to completion.
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What inspired you to start this business? Even as a child, I had visions of being a business person. I always had my bedroom set up like an office, with all of the typical office supplies like a stapler, tape dispenser, calculator, etc. My dad had his own business and I learned so much from him and my mom. I would be there when my dad talked to sales people, suppliers and his customers. My mom did the bookkeeping and answered the phone. That's how I learned about the financial side of the business. They were both my main inspirations in so many ways.
How has your business embraced innovation? You have to change with the times to stay in business. You always have to adjust with what's happening, and keep up with anything new in the industry and technology. Also as I get older, I find myself dealing with a lot of people much younger than me. That's the fantastic part about being a business owner, the challenge of dealing with different age groups and the way they do things using modern technology. Most of the younger people that I deal with have never had to put a quarter in a payphone or conduct business without a cell phone and a computer. Now, it's hard for me to imagine not having both.
What's your biggest challenge right now? The biggest challenge right now is, obviously, dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has changed everything about the way we approach our business. Just like a lot of other businesses, our sales dropped a huge amount. So, we had to figure out a way to make that up. The most disappointing thing I've ever had to do was furlough most of our employees because we are truly like family. Of course, they were able to draw unemployment benefits and with the additional money that was allocated, they made out just fine during the time they were off. It wasn't too long before we were able to bring everyone back on a full-time basis because of receiving Paycheck Protection Program funds. Things are getting better each day, however, it's still a big challenge to keep enough business coming in to keep everybody busy and maintain enough cash flow. I feel like we will survive and continue to grow. We just have to be smart about how we do things from this point on and work even harder.
What's your biggest opportunity right now? It's funny sometimes how something as devastating as the COVID-19 situation can bring opportunity as well. For businesses that were considered essential and businesses that opened up later in time, all needed items that we provide related to the COVID-19 virus. We have been selling a lot of masks (3-ply, N95, washable cotton type, etc.), hand sanitizers personalized with their logo, social distancing floor graphics and signs, nitrile gloves, infrared thermometers, acrylic barriers and many other personal protective equipment needs. Something we did not anticipate was being asked by many restaurants to print disposable menus that can be used as place mats and then tossed. They didn't have to sanitize their regular menus over and over.
What do you want readers to know about your business today? The most important thing I want readers to know about Randd Associates Printing and Promotions is that we are a team of honest people of faith, and through integrity, service and good old fashion work ethic, we will do whatever it takes to make their printing needs become a reality.
Dayton Innovation
The coronavirus pandemic is no match for the Dayton region's innovative spirit. The Dayton Daily News is profiling small businesses in our region as they navigate through these challenging times. To nominate a small business, email Rebecca.Mullins@coxinc.com.
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