Conway Shares His Insights on Running a Family Business with His Wife Michele, Providing Personalized Customer Service and Giving Back to the Community

Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J. – In February 2017, Conway Wong was looking for a change. He explains, "I went to the franchise trade show at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. There I met great guys like Minuteman Press Regional Vice President Jim Galasso, who explained their franchise business model to me. There were many reasons why I decided to investigate the Minuteman Press franchise further, but one of the most interesting things I noticed is that everyone I met treated each other like family. The way Jim spoke about other franchisees, you knew that the owners weren’t just owners, but they were family. Being a family man myself with young children, my wife and I wanted something where we could spend weekends at family functions."

Today, Conway and his wife Michele are proudly celebrating one year in business as Minuteman Press franchise owners in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey. Conway has established himself as a small business owner who cares about his customers and his community. He says, "We offer our customers more than just print. Yes, we do offer print, but it’s so much more than that. In today’s day and age, technology has automated everything from flipping hamburgers to now self-driving cars. Things that only humans could do are now being taken over by technology. Our service isn’t just about providing print; it's about caring for the customer, caring about quality, doing what is right, doing what is human."

Conway continues, "Our product lines include traditional printing products such as business cards, postcards, brochures, booklets, and binding. However, thanks to Minuteman Press, we also offer a wide variety of items such as CAD prints, posters, metal prints, mugs, and custom branded apparel all with no minimums."

Entrepreneurship Runs in the Family

For Conway Wong, becoming a business owner is something he was familiar with since he was a child. He explains, "Before Minuteman Press, I grew up in a family owned restaurant for over 25 years. I also worked as a programmer for a large commercial bank in their Securities Lending division. Then, I started buying real estate and fixing properties. When my body was hurting more and more every day, I knew I had to do something that wasn’t so physically intense."

As Conway and Michele hit the one-year milestone as Minuteman Press franchisees, Conway reflects, "The most rewarding thing I’ve found in owning Minuteman Press is that it has brought my family closer together. My children love coming to our center to see what’s in the works and are always eager to help out. I also have a great team working with me. Over the past year, I’ve met so many wonderful customers, some of which have become close friends, which I am very thankful for. Minuteman Press has had a positive impact on me. I feel a lot better physically compared to my last profession."

One of the biggest reasons people decide to join a franchise is because of the training and support that is offered. Minuteman Press offers ongoing local support to its franchisees, which is something Conway has experienced first-hand and genuinely appreciates. He says, "I am very grateful for all the support I’ve received from Minuteman Press. Jim Galasso and Field Representative Kyle Barker are constantly keeping me in check and have been extremely helpful in times of need."

Getting Involved & Giving Back to the Community

Conway and Michele have quickly made a positive impact in the community they serve by getting involved and making a difference. Conway states, "We are active members of the Ho-Ho-Kus Chamber, Ridgewood Chamber, and Mahwah Chamber of Commerce. I am also the Lunch Co-VP of the Closter Parent-Teacher Organization. In my view, I think giving back is a key to life. The concepts of yin and yang and what comes around goes around play an essential role in my views." Thanks to all of their hard work, Minuteman Press in Ho-Ho-Kus was recently named one of the Best of Bergen for 2018 by (201) Magazine.

Conway has also made it a point to incorporate networking into his daily routine. He lays out his schedule, saying, "A typical day starts out with networking meetings in different organizations. I meet with my team about the jobs daily, and then we get started. Quotes, deliveries, meetings, by the time I know it, it’s 5 PM and it’s time to wrap up. When I do stay after 5, I know that at least I am doing this for me and my family."

Speaking of family, Conway lights up when talking about how he likes to spend his time away from the business. "Whether we are attending Lacrosse games, having fun at the park, or meeting up with other friends, I love spending time with my family."

Business Goals & Advice for Others

With one year in business under his belt, Conway Wong is just getting started with Minuteman Press and is looking forward to further building his business. He says, "I want Minuteman Press in Ho-Ho-Kus to be the place to go for high quality printing, promotional items, and apparel while also receiving outstanding service. There is a long history of this business here and I want to continue our momentum."

When asked about his advice for other aspiring business owners, Conway answers, "It may seem scary at first but if you have the right mindset and customer-focused attitude, then you’ll be fine. Not only do you have the Minuteman Press Field Reps and Regional VPs behind you, you have other Minuteman Press owners as well. There have been so many times I have received advice and help from fellow franchisees that have been in the trenches. We don’t see each other as competition but we are all moving towards the same goal."

Conway adds, "My other piece of advice is to go to the Minuteman Press World Expo. When I joined Minuteman Press in June, I attended their World Expo in Florida just a few weeks later. It was amazing. The people you meet, the knowledge you gain, it’s a tiring week, but it’s well worth it."

Minuteman Press in Ho-Ho-Kus is located at 19 Sheridan Avenue, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423. For more information, call Conway and his team at 201-444-0236 or visit their website: www.hohokus.minutemanpress.com.