In just three years, Leo Kats has watched his promotional advertising business blossom since opening his first franchised location in Kearny Mesa.
Instant Imprints, which Kats founded in 1992 as a screen printing store, now has 50 franchised stores across the United States, with 100 additional locations slated for opening, he said.
The San Diego company, which prints such items as banners and promotional products, wants to open an additional 50 franchise locations by the end of 2005, Kats said.
“Right now we are opening a store a week; by the end of the year we hope to open a store every three days,” he said.
Instant Imprints is among the first to embrace every facet of imprinting and tailors to both consumers and businesses, according to the company, which has four locations in San Diego.
The total investment for purchasing an Instant Imprints franchise is $180,000 and includes a $116,000 equipment package, as well as signs, a complete showroom package, office furniture and hundreds of pre-decorated samples.
Potential franchisees receive three weeks of training and are provided assistance in finding store locations, as well as marketing and technical assistance.
While the franchised business is growing, so is the company’s headquarters, Kats said.
In mid-May the company will move to a 22,000-square-foot building in Sorrento Valley, as well as significantly increasing its employee base.
The company has 15 employees.
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Opportunities For Procurement:
Small businesses that haven’t been able to make contacts with government organizations for procurement opportunities now will be able to meet face to face with a number of government agencies at a trade fair and workshop presented by the San Diego Supplier Development Council.
The event, which is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 25, will provide an opportunity for small businesses to network with more than 50 representatives from major government agencies and prime contractors.
Procurement contracts can help small businesses access millions of dollars in procurement opportunities, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Event workshops include “Government Contracting 101,” “Understanding Security Clearances,” “Techniques for Marketing and Teaming,” “Show Me the Money,” and “Government and Prime Opportunities.”
Local organizations to be present at the event include General Atomics, Science Applications International Corp., Titan Corp., Cubic Defense Applications, Inc., and the Women’s Business Center of California.
The event is set for the Scottish Rite Center, 1895 Camino del Rio S., and costs $35, which includes continental breakfast, the trade fair, workshops and lunch.
For information, visit www.sdsdc.org.
Send small-business news to Lisa Kovach via fax at (858) 571-3628 or e-mail at lkovach@sdbj.com. Call her at (858) 277-6359, Ext. 3107.
