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ARCHIVE
PAGE
CLICK
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- Wage slaves revolt
- This business really went to town!
- SUNNYSIDE--(Friday 5-15-98)--Larry and Carol Ashby decided in 1986 they were going to end their wage slavery and start a small business.
So they created Northwest Publishing, a print shop, desktop publishing service, and an on line news service. Today, the couple's business is the only full-service printer and editing center in Sunnyside.
They specialize in printing business cards, forms and newsletters, and even full-color posters. In addition, Northwest Publishing provides a wide variety of services including laminating, public fax, résumés, rubber stamps, graphic design and layout. Carol and Larry bring diverse backgrounds and personalities to their business mix.
Customer service
- Carol is a "people person" and believes customer service is the most important "product" their business offers. Experienced in retail management, marketing and merchandising, she combines this with a talent for the arts.
"She's amazing. I'm sure she can do anything she sets her mind to," said Larry. "She's one of the most interesting people I've ever met."
Larry, a former news journalist, worked for years as a public information specialist for the state of Washington. His tasks included writing, editing, and photography. "When we started, I had all the business sense of an aphid. But I'm learning," Larry said. "The market is an almost tangible force. If you can provide what enough people want and need---plus parking---you can thrive." he said.
Years went by, and the little business at the edge of town became more and more popular, despite its location in a quiet residential neighborhood.
Pat Kezele
- Pat Kezele, who lives nearby, came on board. Pat, a University of Alabama and Heritage College graduate, wife of Sunnyside math teacher Gordon Kezele, is an integral part of Northwest Publishing / Invitations Plus. She is a writer, photographer, and graphic artist.
- "She's our management support system and like part of the family", said Carol. "Pat's terrific personality and talents have enhanced our business growth and success. I've never worked with anyone as competent, classy and pleasant to be around and she is."
Said Larry, "Pat has a great sense of humor. We laugh a lot in our shop."
Invitations Plus
- In 1994, the couple added Invitations Plus to the business.
- They boast the largest selection of invitations and printed accessories (English or Spanish) in the Valley. The "Plus" part came from the many customer requests to offer a wider variety of retail party goods and decorations essential to weddings, quinceañeras, baby showers, graduation and corporate events.
As a result, Invitations Plus stocks everything from cake-tops, religious items, favor making supplies, bouquets, ribbon, napkins/plates, balloons and much more. The friendly staff is always ready to share "creative do-it-yourself" planning ideas. They also rent altar baskets and arches.
Balloon Decor
- In 1997, Carol attended a balloon training seminar. "I came back excited and ready to add another dimension to Invitations Plus," said Carol. "It was difficult to convince Larry that balloon decorating professionally would be fun and profitable.
She coaxed him to the next training session. After seeing that forty percent of the successful balloon artists were men he decided to give it a try. Larry and Carol are now professionally trained classic balloon decor specialists.
Their balloon decor side of the business has inflated to phenomenal heights. You will find them almost every weekend adding a festive elegant touch to weddings, proms, class reunions, corporate events to grand openings.
"We do our best to respond to Market requests. If enough people ask for a product or service, we try to provide it," Carol said.
Business growth
- That philosophy led to business expansion.
- "We just outgrew our basement. Daily walk-in traffic was nonstop. It was time to move downtown," she added.
The couple recently moved Northwest Publishing / Invitations Plus to 338 S. 6th St., Sunnyside, where Roy's Print Shop was located before the brothers retired.
People see all the flowers and balloon decorations in front and wonder if there's still a print shop in here," Larry said. "There is!"
Yakima Valley News
- Yakima Valley News On-line is Northwest Publishing's most recent service. It's located at www.yakvalnews.com, and provides local news, information, classifieds, display ads and Internet links. It's Larry's project. The phone is 839-2333.
Larry, a University of Washington graduate with a communications major, believes the future of the printed word lies with the Internet.
- "On screen, we're the same size as the New York Times. Internet access is rapidly improving and costing less. This can only help those of us addicted to the news business," Larry said.
"I'm probably the only news reporter in town who can decorate a meeting hall with my balloon hat on, then turn around and cover the meeting with my news hat on, " he said.
Drop in!
- Larry, Carol and Pat welcome you to stop-by or give them a call at 839-2931 or 1-800-366-5168. Business hours are Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Sunday Noon-5:00 p.m. and closed on Mondays.
Look for a September Grand Opening after the dust from the wedding season settles.