Vince Manini, vice president and partner of Carol Stream, Illinois-based Team Concept Printing and Thermography, has what many people struggle to find: passion. But, his journey didn't come without challenges.
After high school, Manini took some classes in tool and die, welding, architecture and electronics. Unfortunately, they all proved to be dead ends. A couple years later, he registered for a graphic arts class at the suggestion of his then-girlfriend. He was immediately hooked.
"I was amazed at how much work it took to produce a printed product," Manini said. "I went to various classes that pertained to the field and tried to find a job with a printing company."
Although Manini had the passion, he lacked the experience. After many interviews, he finally found work at a small shop where he swept floors and did odd jobs. Today, Manini enjoys a nice view from the top.
Here, Manini discusses his thoughts on the industry.
Print Professional (PP): Tell us about your background—Where did you grow up, what school did you attend, your degree?
Vince Manini (VM): I grew up in Steubenville, Ohio, a small town outside of Pittsburgh. I graduated from Palatine High School (suburb of Chicago), took classes at Harper College and College of DuPage.
PP: What is your greatest business accomplishment and disappointment?
VM: Starting Team Concept and making it in Entrepreneur magazine as #90 [in its list] of the fastest-growing businesses in America after just 21⁄2 years of being in business. The greatest disappointment was when we had to downsize a couple years ago because of the economy. I take a lot of pride that our company provides a good income to families. There has been nothing worse for me as an owner than to let a good employee go simply because we do not have the work to support them. I spent many nights (probably for months) not sleeping because I felt I had failed them.
PP: What do you think will be the printing industry's biggest challenge in the next few years?
VM: Proving to the print buyers that your best selling tool is a nice printed piece, not something on a computer screen. Between the economy being bad, all that "mumbo-jumbo" hype on companies going paperless, and the advances of the Internet and digital selling, the print industry has taken a heavy hit.
I had a large company's marketing person come in for a press check on some stationery a few months ago and he was telling me they used to do $500,000 in printing annually, until he came in and talked them into putting all their different items they made (I think it was about 300 or so) on a USB drive instead of having a brochure of each. He was going on and on about how they spend under $100,000 for printing and how many trees he was saving. So, jokingly, I told him he was telling that to the wrong person and [was] in the wrong place to say that. Then, I asked if they have been able to sell as much using that method. He did not know yet. I also showed him all the literature on how not using paper is actually a bad thing because of how much the paper mills replant compared to what they use and how they take care of the forest.
PP: What is the best part of your business day?
VM: Working in the shop, helping in the early mornings. It's hard to explain, but I love seeing, hearing and feeling all the machines and watching the employees producing a great product. I guess it's in my blood from back when I was in bindery and printing. I love the intensity of it.
PP: What would people be surprised to learn about you—hobbies, special interests, etc.?
VM: I enjoy messing around the house doing projects; I always have to be doing something. I like gardening (it is relaxing). I love shooting pool, playing cards, playing basketball, and I always have the music on in the car or home. But most of all I enjoy being with my family.