Crum Family Joins Franchisee Printng and Marketing Services Network (Dallas, TX)

Phillip Crum, who for fourteen years has been one of the top salespeople and a very active participant in our network, has two new titles: Sir Speedy Printing center owner and Grandpa. These titles intertwine as two generations of Crums now share ownership and management of their Sir Speedy center.

Phillip realized a long-standing ambition when his family assumed ownership in January 1 of this year. “My wife, Mary, and I always wanted a business like this, that is ideally suited for our family to work together, so our boys wouldn’t move off to different states. Mary will finish her present job and join the family business in June. "

"Our older son, Tyler, 22, who gained sales experience at several print shops in the area, is doing project/campaign management. Tyler’s wife, Amanda, is the new mother of our first grandkiddo, Benjamin, and will, when she’s ready, start spending four or five hours a day in the shop answering phones, providing quotes and changing diapers."

"Preston, 20, worked for Jim Quinn doing sales and some print shop work and is now in charge of our digital department."

“Working with family can be tough sometimes,” Phillip admits, “but all of us have the family’s best interests in mind. Everyone has an area of specialty and responsibility while at the same time helping each other. It just fits very, very well. The boys are loving that they aren’t just working at a job but are building for their futures. When I went to California for Print Management University, a 20 and a 22 year old ran the place, with the assistance of our experienced pressman and a graphic artist. We already have a crew I can leave alone with confidence!”

With his considerable experience, Phillip had ideas on how he wanted to structure his business and so, has taken the title of Chief Idea Officer.

“I got the idea from a Jeffrey Gitomer sales seminar,” Phillip says. “Gitomer suggests taking a title that is indicative of how you work and think; one that gets people to talk. My role is to turn this place from a failing print business into a thriving marketing services provider by offering everything that Sir Speedy makes available and some things they don’t. I have had an interest in marketing for at least six years and have done a lot of homework.”

When asked why someone with as much knowledge as he has would purchase a franchise, Phillip replied: “Because not becoming a Sir Speedy Printing franchisee would be tantamount to jettisoning a network of experience that can help me succeed. If you utilize the resources and the people, you should be able to realize far more in value on a yearly basis than what you pay in royalties. That has been obvious to me for a long, long time.”

Phillip’s goal for this family venture is simple: “To become the largest volume Sir Speedy in Texas.” He has a clear view of how to achieve that. “I plan to become known as that guy who knows everything about helping small businesses get their next account and can actually create and execute every bit of the campaign(s). And do it all without breaking their bank account.”

“I intend to build a big, profitable business so when the time is right Mary and I can hand the keys to our kids—right after they hand us a check.”

Up Close

Phillip & Mary Crum, Tyler & Amanda Crum, Preston Crum, Dallas, TX

Center Opening date: March 1983

Crum ownership date: January 2/2008

Number of Employees: 4.5

Sir Speedy Milestones: 10 - 11 years Platinum salesperson. 4 years million dollar club. Salesman of the Year twice.

Winning Tactic: Plan-Execute-Evaluate-Repeat.