Laid Off Salesman Opens New Graphics Franchise

When John Dalton got laid off in 2009, he wasn't sure where to turn. The 22-year Mahwah resident had been in the pharmaceutical industry for his entire professional career, nearly 20 years.

"I was the senior district sales manager in the tri-state area for Pfizer. That's what I knew how to do, pharmaceutical sales," Dalton said. "Pfizer was very good to me, and I had no hard feelings, but I still needed to get another job." After looking for a year, Dalton found a temporary job � a regional sales manager for Boehringer Ingelheim, another pharmaceutical company. "It was a great job, and I used my past skills and I loved it," he said. "But, after a year my contract was up, and I was in the same boat I was a year before." The husband and father decided that he wanted to take control over his situation, so he started researching franchise opportunities. When he found an opportunity at SpeedPro Imaging, he went for it.

SpeedPro is a graphic imaging company based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Franchise locations print displays, banners, window signage, vehicle wraps, and other graphic products. It currently has 80 locations across the US and Canada, and plans to open another 20 by June.

"I'm not an artist, but the company doesn't want artists running it, they want business people," Dalton said. "Everything I researched about the company seemed fantastic, the more I learned about it, the more I wanted to do it." Dalton said he felt a franchise was the best option for him because professionally, he was used to getting a template from his bosses, and then filling it in. This, he felt, would be the same. Dalton does admit, though, that he was anxious about completely starting over. "I was thinking, ‘I'm over 50, can I really reinvent myself?'" But, he decided to do it, and so far, it's been working.

After six months of preparation work, Dalton started operating his new SpeedPro Imaging franchise last month out of an existing location in Westwood. He is in the midst of opening his own physical location in Rockland County.

"Right now, it's all about building up my client base. But, I really believe in the product. SpeedPro does some amazing work, so customers are interested," he said. The company sells to wholesale and retail clients, and all of its imaging is produced in house. "It's great, because you can come in with an idea, and our graphic designer can work it up with you, or, you can come in saying this is the information I need displayed, and our graphic designer can present you with different options," Dalton said.

Dalton said his decision to open the new business has given him a different perspective. "I spent too long waiting for my old business to take me back. It's a bad economy, and I realized I need to control my own destiny," he said. "I believe in this business, and I'm passionate about it, so I know I'll succeed." For more information, visit the SpeedPro website or email [email protected].

Speedpro Imaging News and Press Releases

This article has been read 1375 times.

Would you like to own a Speedpro Imaging Franchise?

For more information about becoming a Speedpro Imaging Franchise owner, including a franchise overview, start-up costs, fees, training and more, please visit our Speedpro Imaging Franchise Information page.