Meet Maria Medina, Owner- Minuteman Press, WE Magazine for Women in Business Interview
Maria and Aj Medina
Tell us about your business:
We are a full service print, marketing and design company offering everything the customer needs in order to help promote and grow their business. We offer in-house design services and we can also print using customer’s own designs. We can print anything, such as: Business Cards, Brochures, Banners, Apparel, Signs, Promotional Products, Mailers and much more. We are part of the Minuteman Press franchise system.
Our services are adaptable and can cater to companies that have as few as one employee to large corporations with 1,000+ employees. Our target audience is professionals that are looking to promote their brand and portray a professional look through their marketing materials. This includes matching letterhead and envelopes that they use on a daily basis to communicate with their clients. Anything that they hand out or use on a daily basis can be produced by us to help sustain their brand’s image.
Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?
Having worked for a private University in the UK for 8 years, I found myself in a position where I did not feel challenged. Becoming a business owner meant that I could have a direct impact on the company’s performance by setting goals and directing resources accordingly. Being the owner of a small business also means that I am able to work on the company’s brand by becoming a part of its image through networking and marketing. I have learned, and am still learning, skills which I don’t think I would have if I hadn’t become a business owner.
What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?
My wife has certainly been the driving force that has got me to where I am today. She saw the potential in me before I even saw it myself. She grounds me and on daily basis reminds me of how far we have gotten and the great accomplishments we are going to achieve.
What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?
We have just been awarded with the Small Business Award of the year for 2016 by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. We were a nominee in 2015, but were not successful in being awarded this accomplishment. Fast forward one year later and we are further than we thought we would be with our brand being recognized all around Fort Lauderdale.
What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?
Be prepared to make at least one mistake a day. And learn from it. This is something my wife has to remind me of everyday! Being a business owner is hard work, and you can’t be expected to know everything. There will be days when you have to make tough decisions and these may not always be the right decisions. It is important to acknowledge your mistakes and learn from them, so that you can grow as an individual and succeed in your endeavors.
What has been the most effective marketing initiatives or programs you have used to promote your business?
Networking. If you want to grow your brand, especially in the US, networking will be a big part of it. There is no better way to reach local, like-minded individuals than by going to local groups and meeting them face-to-face. I am a member of Business Networking International, National Association of Professional Women, Circles of Services, Meet-Up and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. These groups alone bring in 40% of my sales, and without them we wouldn’t be where we are today.
What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?
As it has only been 2 years since I became a business owner, I am still learning! One thing I would like to share is that anyone looking to be a business owner should be prepared to be challenged every day. If you are looking to start your own business I would recommend looking into something that you know is going to interest you and that you already enjoy doing. Every day is made a little bit easier if you actually enjoy what you’re doing.
Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you run your business?
The Chamber of Commerce is always a great resource. I have been lucky to be a part of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce . Not only has it allowed me to meet like-minded individuals, but it has also allowed me to get involved and keep myself informed about the community I am working and living in. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce offers at least 1 event a week that all members can attend. It also hosts a number of councils with government officials which allows you to keep informed with current affairs in your city. If there’s a Chamber near you, I would highly recommend visiting and becoming a member.
Do you have any new projects coming up? If so, please tell us about it.
We took over this store in September 2014, and by November 2015 this store had the highest sales it had ever seen since the year 2000. Since September 2014 we have increased sales by 373%.
We are continuing to grow and are looking to expand by the end of this year by incorporating a new building into our shop, and using our current location as our Production Center.
What do you do for fun/relaxation?
My wife and I enjoy watching television, playing with our pets and traveling. We have taken advantage of being in Florida by driving to as many places as possible and enjoying the sites. We’re looking forward to our trip in July to the Exumas.
What is Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year?
By the end of 2016 we would like to have increased our yearly sales by 15% through the hiring of a new sales representative.
You want to write a book on Networking to Promote Your Business. As I mentioned previously, I believe that networking is a great tool to help promote your business. I would like to help individuals identify the right group for them as well as teach them basic skills on how to utilize the networking groups available to them.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Although starting your own business can be intimidating, and being a new business owner has its challenges, I would like to encourage other women to take the leap from the professional corporate world to becoming entrepreneurs. Although I have had quite a few challenges in the two years that I have been a business owner, it has been a great experience for me so far and the good outweighs the bad substantially.
What’s the best way for the readers of WE Magazine for Women to connect with you?
Website: ftlauderdale.minutemanpress.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/mariapmedina
LinkedIn Company Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/minuteman-press-of-wilton-manors
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ftminutemanpress/
Google+: plus.google.com/100731881969119699874/about
Twitter: twitter.com/ftmmp
