Minuteman Press Franchisees Celebrate 25+ Years in Warwick, RI

Karen Fraielli and Valerie Chanoux first joined the Minuteman Press franchise family in August of 1999 when they purchased their center in Warwick, RI. Valerie and Karen are also the owners of their second Minuteman Press franchise in Providence, RI since August of 2002. Regional VP Todd Golberg presented Karen and Valerie with the Minuteman Press International Crystal Pinnacle Award commemorating over 25 years in business. At the same time, Karen and Valerie continue to reach new sales milestones for both locations.

Todd shares, “Karen and Valerie tell an incredible story about a friendship that turned into a long-lasting business partnership. When I asked them what they credit their success to, they immediately pointed at each other. After more than 25 years in business together, Karen and Valerie have a tremendous amount of respect and appreciation for each other, and they both love what they do.”

In the following interview, Valerie celebrates her long-time friendship and business partnership with Karen. She also shares her insights on 25+ in the industry as part of the Minuteman Press family.

Celebrating 25+ years in business: “It’s hard to fathom that we have been in this business for over 25 years. Just saying it seems crazy. The saying stands true – time flies when you are having fun.”

Working together: "Karen and I work as a team through every aspect of the business. We respect each other, have the same work ethic, talk about our goals and strive to reach them together. Without respect, there is no partnership. And we have fun at the same time. When we talk about how hard we have worked and how far we have come, we always say, ‘But we have fun doing it!’”

Keys to success and longevity:

• “In this industry, it is vital to stay up on technology and customer satisfaction.

• We build relationships.

• Acquisitions are a great way to expand the business.

• A huge part of success is surrounding yourself with quality people.”

Marketing: “Being in the industry for as long as we have has allowed us to build an exceptional reputation. Not only with customers, but with other local printing companies. Word of mouth and customer referrals is a large source of growth for us.

When I am out and about, I am proud to talk about what we do and the products and services that we offer. Whether it is out at a restaurant or brewery or at a charity event, I always talk about what we do, where we are located and how long we have been in business. When I mention how long, it really shows folks that we are dedicated to what we do.”

Career background: “Prior to owning Minuteman Press, Karen was a CPA at a local accounting firm and Valerie was an operations manager for UPS. When looking to start a business together, we found Minuteman Press. The business fit our criteria for working in a b2b market with skilled employees. The franchise was able to provide support as needed.”

Advice: “Work hard through the good times, work hard through the tough times. If you are doing it right, you will forget which was which. Also, empower your employees to do the job that you need them to do. Create a work environment that encourages them to grow with you.”