For 25 years, Fred Edelstein built his career in corporate financial management. After an acquisition caused his job to be downsized, Fred spent the next two years searching for that next career opportunity that never came. That's when he took matters into his own hands, and with a little help from the Minuteman Press franchise, Fred Edelstein was back to business, this time as his own boss.
1. What was your background before franchising with Minuteman Press?
Fred Edelstein: "I spent 25-plus years in corporate financial management. I worked in companies from startups to IBM. I gained a lot of experience with companies going through funding rounds looking for venture capital funding to looking to be acquired or acquire other companies. By the end, I became the go-to guy for financial modeling wherever I was working, and I did a few stints as a consultant between permanent employment positions."
2. Why did you choose to franchise with Minuteman Press?
Fred Edelstein: "My last permanent employment was with Ning Social Networking. As their Senior Financial Manager, I helped them get acquired by Glam Media, Inc. Glam Media already had their own financial team so I knew I’d be out of a job and that’s what happened. I then found it really difficult to even get interviews for the next 2 years and began to realize that I had 'aged out' of the positions I was qualified for. I had enough money to retool myself and began looking at other options such as opening a restaurant and buying a franchise."
3. What was it about Minuteman Press International that appealed to you?
Fred Edelstein: "I met Bob Ylinen (Minuteman Press Regional Vice President for Northern California) during that search and through him I ultimately determined that opening or buying a print shop was just what I was looking for. Namely, I wanted to own a business with low headcount (small staff) and small to medium initial investment. Bob’s low key sales pitch really helped. If he’d come on too strong I’d have likely been reluctant. He gave me the facts I needed and introduced me to a few of the other local owners and let me make the decision I needed to make."
4. How would you compare your experience as a Minuteman Press franchise owner to your previous career/industry/life?
Fred Edelstein: "It’s been a lot of hard work which is not a surprise or even a negative. The sense of success is not something I could 'own' in my previous work experience. My participation level was never really enough to keep me going. Now, the success I have is really directly or indirectly all mine, as is the failures when they happen. As a small business owner, I get to be the boss I always wished others had been for me, though I also have more sympathy for some of things they must have gone through. I also get to set the tone and work environment in my shop and help my employees grow in their respective positions, which is really gratifying for me."
5. How has the ongoing local support you’ve received from Minuteman Press helped you along the way?
Fred Edelstein: "When I’ve needed support from Minuteman Press on the local or corporate levels, I’ve never had to wait; they’ve been essential to my success."
About Minuteman Press International
Minuteman Press International is a business service franchise that is rated #1 in category by Entrepreneur for 12 years in a row and 24 times overall, including 2016. We are the modern version of the printing industry, providing high quality products and services for businesses that go way beyond just ink on paper. Today our stores produce promotional products, custom apparel, large format printing (banners and posters), signs, and much more.
Learn more about Minuteman Press design, print, and marketing franchise opportunities, get answers to frequently asked questions and access Minuteman Press franchise reviews by visiting our website at www.minutemanpressfranchise.com.
