We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Laura Beulke a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Laura, thanks for joining us today. Can you share a customer success story with us?
I would estimate that more than 75% of my business comes from referrals. This is a testament to the robust relationships I’ve cultivated with my clients. I’ve consistently provided them with valuable guidance and assistance throughout their projects, prioritizing their best interests over immediate profitability for myself. This approach has not only earned their trust but also reinforced the assurance that they are in the hands of a genuinely honest and dependable partner.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Laura Beulke, a self-taught designer and entrepreneur, embarked on her journey in 2002 by founding her own printing business. She made a solemn commitment never to create dull and generic marketing materials for her clients, giving birth to Vertical Printing & Graphics. But before VPG she worked for Kinko’s in the early 90’s and then went on the have a career as an art director for a large publishing company in Ventura, CA.
Vertical Printing & Graphics distinguishes itself by providing clients with custom printing and design services that are far from ordinary. They specialize in crafting exceptional, clever, and highly effective personalized solutions for every customer, offering support for both marketing and creative aspects, followed by design, printing, and finishing services, all while employing innovative color and style concepts.
While our initial focus was on serving the Real Estate Industry, we’ve adapted and evolved to meet market dynamics. Today, we proudly collaborate with diverse industries, offering a wide array of options to cater to our clients’ unique needs.
At VPG, our commitment to innovation and meticulous attention to detail set us apart. We diligently track and incorporate industry rule changes to ensure that our clients’ designs and materials remain up-to-date and effective.
We provide digital printing services that empower us to deliver high-quality, short-run, full-color marketing materials. Whether you require just one print or thousands, our Digital Printers consistently yield exceptional results and value. Additionally, for larger, long-run printing needs, we offer traditional offset printing. We strive to be your one-stop print shop, and if a particular service falls outside our expertise, we’ll transparently communicate this to you upfront.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Wow… Pivot…. well that would be during COVID. I learned a VERY hard lesson in the last big recession. I had a much larger staff back then, my business was at its prime in the mid 2000’s and that came crashing down a few years later. With that being said I kept 13 employees employed for well over a year and was losing money month over month. I went down to negative business equity and almost all of my savings trying to keep the business running. So after nearly 16 months I laid more than 50% off my staff off and worked the business lean and hard for over a decade to recover.
Then came COVID, and this time I saw the impact it was causing in the business in less than 6 weeks and made the decision to lay off staff and cut expenses everywhere I could. With doing that and the grace of the PPP funds the business has survived with so much less of a hit financially and honestly emotionally too.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best sources of attracting new clients is by word of mouth referrals
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.verticalprinting.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verticalprinting/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VerticalPrinting
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurabeulke/
- Twitter: @VPG_Printing
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/vertical-printing-and-graphics-encinitas-3
- Other: 760.334.2004 FAX: 760.334.03932240 Encinitas Blvd. Suite F Encinitas, CA 92024 [email protected]
Image Credits
https://www.shewanders.com/