Gill Kennedy, owner of Minuteman Press in Caboolture, Queensland, emigrated to Australia from the UK four years ago with her husband and two children, intent on someday buying her own business.
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| Gill Kennedy (right), owner Minuteman Press Caboolture, with graphic designer Renee Grundgeiger |
While her husband planned to establish himself in a top-tier construction company, Gill wanted to return to design and print.
“I have worked in the professional field of print, marketing and design for over 14 years,” she says. “I always saw myself owning my own business one day but never quite had the confidence to take the reins and do it. If you told me 10 years ago I would be a business owner before I was 40, I would have laughed in your face.”
Soon after arrival in Australia, Kennedy secured the position of Graphic Designer with one of the Minuteman Press stores in Brisbane. “I loved it,” she says. “I loved the interaction with the clients, the variety of work and the feeling we got when a customer walked away with a product they loved. I love the challenge of coming up with a product that fits a brief but comes in under budget.”
When a chance came up to open a new Minuteman Press franchise at Caboolture, 45 kilometres north of Brisbane, she did not hesitate.
“It was a huge step but since I’d previously worked with Minuteman Press, I had an insight into how things worked and how well you were supported as an owner. The onsite support and the training in New York gives you a great foundation to build on an already reputable brand and add to it with your own finesse.
“Also, I wanted to be a good role model for my daughters and show them that with hard work and dedication you can succeed at anything you put your mind to – something in which I am still a strong believer. And so, my life as a business owner began.
“Leadership is a challenge,” Kennedy says. “I had come from mid-tier roles and was not used to giving orders or managing other people’s workloads. I am a perfectionist in my work and I have struggled letting go and handing over some projects.
“Like any new business, we had our ‘teething problems’ but when Renee, our graphic designer, joined the team, I truly felt like we were a force to be reckoned with. It was very surreal moving away from design and letting Renee take over – she is very competent and knows even more than I do but it’s hard changing roles.
“I have now moved forward in my career, taking on the responsibility of my own franchise of Minuteman Press - the largest print franchise in the world. We are a full service print, design and marketing company specialising in print, creative design, promotional products and techniques, branding and supporting material.”
Minuteman Press Caboolture also offers large format printing including signage and banners, as well as vehicle wraps.
Jeff Lewis, Minuteman Press International regional vice president for Brisbane and Sydney, says, “Gill has done a fantastic job in her first year building her business the right way. She follows the Minuteman Press system closely and goes above and beyond for her clients.”
Started in 1973 by Roy Titus and his son Bob, New York-based Minuteman Press began franchising in 1975 and has grown to nearly 1,000 business service franchise locations worldwide including the U.S., Australia, Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
For more information, visit https://minutemanpressfranchise.com.au
