Saqib Tariq shares his insights on running a family-owned design, marketing, and printing franchise with his brother and father; their franchise is a member of the Minuteman Press International Million-Dollar Circle for top performers

CALGARY, Alberta - The family-owned and operated Minuteman Press franchise located in the Beltline region of central Calgary is celebrating 13 years in business. Saqib Tariq runs the day to day operations of the family business with his brother Faisal, and their father also helps them with financial planning, expansion, and consulting. Together, they have successfully built their b2b franchise and because of their hard work, Saqib and his family are part of the Minuteman Press International Million Dollar Circle for top performers across the entire franchise system.

"We are a design, printing, and marketing company that helps other businesses make an impression, get noticed, engage with their target audience, and ultimately grow," says Saqib. He adds, "For 13 years now, we have provided everything from business stationery and essential printing to print marketing campaigns, signage, and promotional products. We pride ourselves in helping our fellow local businesses succeed."

Prior to franchising with Minuteman Press in 2004, Saqib Tariq's father worked as a general manager for an automobile firm in Dubai, while Faisal was a chemical engineer. Saqib says, "I was 18 years-old at the time but I had been doing graphic design since I was 16 and was skilled in Photoshop, Corel, and flash animation."

As for why his family chose to franchise with Minuteman Press International, Saqib explains, "It came down to several key factors: 

• Business clientele (b2b business); 
• Ownership and freedom to market the business the way we wanted;
• Growth potential;
• Vendors and suppliers and the freedom to choose who to work with;
• Minimal intervention by the franchisor; and 
• Minuteman Press' capped royalty incentive program."

Saqib also appreciates all of the training and ongoing support his family has received over the past 13 years, saying, "The training and local support is essentially helpful in the beginning as well as today with new systems, buying equipment, and negotiating the best national prices with vendors. These benefits provided by Minuteman Press take away a lot of hassle and save us time that we can use to focus on growing our business."

"Saqib Tariq and his entire family are to be commended for their efforts in building their Minuteman Press business in Calgary into a top-performing franchise," says Neil MacLeod, Minuteman Press International Regional Vice President for Western Canada. He adds, "They have closely followed the Minuteman Press franchise system and have taken full advantage of the benefits of franchising. Saqib, Faisal, and their entire team are highly dedicated to their clients and you can see that in the high quality of products and high level of customer service they continue to provide after 13 years in business."

Rewards of owning a business and giving back to the community

For Saqib Tariq and his family, getting involved and giving back to the community are ways of life. Saqib says, "We feel it is so important to build real relationships with our clients and the community. I tell this to other business owners all the time: Give back to non-profits in meaningful ways. Stay informed about your community, business and politics. Be part of the in-crowd for your city."

For their part, Minuteman Press in Beltline supports SOS Children's Villages, the largest orphan focused charity in the world, as well as the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Calgary/Alberta. Saqib says, "We also give back to local charities by offering 15% discounts off orders, which is something we have always done." He adds, "Business owners need to understand the philosophy of 'givers gain' – give and you shall get more back. Buy from your customers, champion them, give deals, meet their deadlines, and apologize honestly when you make a mistake. It is all about relationships and not transactions."

Typical day

According to Saqib Tariq, a typical day at Minuteman Press in Beltline "starts with organizing emails, followed by our production meeting. We then follow up with staff and we all strive to streamline workflow to eliminate any possible bottlenecks. We feel it is important to champion our staff, to train and support them. We also do work orders, quotes, and follow ups throughout our day – marketing and following up are keys to growth. We try to add team/admin activities to grow or improve the business in a day. And of course, the day is also about solving challenges for our clients!"

When not working on the business, Saqib enjoys the outdoors. He says, "Hiking or camping is a great way to relax. Nature heals. Also, working out and playing sports plays a big role to alleviate stress and feel energized the next day. It is important to avoid boxed thinking and burnout."

Business goals and advice for others

What's next for Minuteman Press in Beltline? Saqib answers, "We want to grow the business by 20%. In addition, we want to continue to improve our engagement with our clients, cross market our products and services, and further automate production by creating more templates, styles, and workflows.

Saqib's advice to other aspiring business or franchise owners is this: "Focus on your clients and your business growth. Don’t get caught up in the operations, don't always be reactionary or do unnecessary extra work that does not grow your business. Always ask, does this grow my business? What did I do today to further the growth of the business? Have I worked on or in the business? Think in pillars: profitability, liquidity, solvency, efficiency, and growth."