Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in printing and design but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ricky Pridmore, founder of Presstime Design & Screenprint Limited, located in Welland, ON, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Presstime is a merchandising and design company that delivers an efficient order process to clients in small businesses, music, and art. We have a razor-sharp focus on high-quality products, approachability, expert knowledge, and trust. Since 2009 we have worked tirelessly to master a print method that we call EverSoft printing.

Tell us about yourself

My name is Ricky Pridmore, and I love what we do! The company got a pretty organic start. I always loved posters, poster making, and T-shirt printing. Around 2008 I decided to start making all of that stuff for my own band, and it grew from there. The thing that keeps it fresh for us around here is seeing some of these younger bands and artists have that same sparkle in their eyes that we did when we were younger. Rock lives on!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Seeing artists take things to the next level by using products that we had a hand in creating is always a great feeling. Knowing that we helped in some way is super gratifying and usually makes me all warm n fuzzy. Another thing is when a team member or client becomes a legitimate new friend. Tons of my closest people are in my life because of our work.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

I almost never turn it off. Now that we are in our 13th year of business, I have developed the skill of not thinking about work ALL the time, but it is still a challenge. Another thing is trying to decipher the best course of action on any given day for any given task. There is no road map to running a company. Every business is different and has its own unique ecosystem. You need to find out what is important to your company and why. This will guide your decisions, but it is still a tricky trail to navigate at times.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Decide what makes you different from everyone else as early as possible. At the end of the day, if you can get people to identify with your culture and what you do, they will likely go from just customers to loyal customers.
  2. Get a little more than you think you need and grow into it. This goes for space, equipment, time, supplies, everything. You will always use a little more than you think.
  3. No is not always a bad thing. If you say no to a project that doesn't fit your model or a client says no to you, try to view it as an opportunity. It's a shot at learning why that customer said no and how to improve it in the future. If you said no, it opens up your schedule to work with clients who appreciate your value as a company.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

If you do what you say you will, you can't go wrong!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: http://www.presstimedesign.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/presstimedesign/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/presstimedesign/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/presstimedesign

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.