Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Cartridge World - Greg Nichels

Have you ever felt like your career was on a dead-end highway?  Have you felt unappreciated and over-worked and wished that you could just "recycle" your career and start over?  Be assured that you are not alone.  Many employees feel this way. For many, work is just a paycheck and a JOB.  But life doesn't have to be this way. 

Our Entrepreneur's Story this month is about a man that was proactive about making a change, about bettering his life, about taking control of his future. Whining and complacency wasn't part of his vocabulary. Determination and persistence better describe our Entrepreneur, Greg Nickels.

Greg decided to "recycle" his life, got off his dead-end career highway, and is now enjoying the satisfaction of being in charge of his future.
 
Congratulations Greg, and welcome to the world of entrepreneurship. 
 
 
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   Greg Nickets
 Greg Nickels  

Greg Nickels was seven years away from retirement when we first met. Although he went to college for electronics and spent some time as a tool and die maker, 26 years of his career was spent working for UPS. Greg started out as a driver and worked his way up into management. But the 70 hour work weeks, substituting for no-show employees, and often missing holidays with his family was taking a toll. He also had a passion for hunting and fishing with limited time to pursue his passion.

Greg and I met as a referral from a local business broker. He had already spent some time with the broker looking for an existing business that was for sale with no success. In Greg's own words, "Your phone call couldn't have come at a better time. I was in a dead-end job working more hours than anyone should."  He went on to tell me that he wanted to enjoy life again and have the freedom to set his own schedule, control his destiny and be rewarded for his efforts.  He also wanted a business where his family could be involved, had people interaction, variety and was challenging. And he wanted an exit strategy where he could sell his business to help fund his retirement and perhaps move out west.

When we first started talking around August of 2004, Greg had a goal of quitting his job by the end of the year. He wanted to avoid the stress of the UPS Christmas season, plus he had a big hunting trip planned for early January that he didn't want to miss.

We built Greg's possibilities profile from the ground up. "You took the time to listen and work with me to evaluate my strengths and weaknesses. We looked at business models that fit my career goals...making sure each would meet what I was looking for in my life."
It didn't take Greg long before Cartridge World caught his eye. "The franchise I decided on, I did not know even existed. So not only am I starting a new career, but a new franchise to the area has been nothing but exciting."  Greg liked the idea that 80% of the public had a printer and that cartridges were a consumable product with repeat business. Every office and business was a potential customer. He also liked the idea that recycling ink and toner cartridges could often save his customers 50% off of a new replacement while offering a full warranty, and was green friendly.

Today, Greg is successfully operating Cartridge World of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, with his wife Cindy and his two children. Greg is a great networker and is known in the area for his outstanding customer service.  He is enjoying his new life, has made lots of new friends and is saving his customers money. He doesn't have to get approval from the boss anymore when he wants to take a hunting trip. (Well, maybe he has to run it by his wife Cindy.)  He continues to pursue his hunting and fishing passion around the world and has completed the Grand Slam of Sheep, a very prestigious feat. Check that out on the Internet. His stress is reduced and he always has a smile on his face.

If you own a computer printer, or know someone that has a printer, and lives in the greater Milwaukee area and would like to save on ink or toner cartridges, please give Greg a call at 262-695-8036 or visit his location at 1230 George Towne Drive, Pewaukee, Wisconsin. Greg takes pride in his business and often boasts "Ink and toner cartridges don't have to be expensive anymore." Check that out yourself. Go green and save green! That's kind of like having your cake and eating it too.
Greg "recycled" his life and got off his dead-end highway.  Where is your career highway leading you?  If you're looking for a new career destination, give me a call and we'll talk about your possibilities and perhaps find you a new direction for 2009.

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