IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

GREAT IMPRESSIONS

5330 W. Burleigh St.

NEIGHBORHOOD: Sunset Heights, Milwaukee FOUNDED: 1998 OWNER: Carolyn Walker SERVICE: Commercial printing and graphic design EMPLOYEES: 8

How did you start Great Impressions?

Walker: “I had already worked about 15 years in the industry and had the desire to do my own thing and make my own decisions. So, I started the business in my basement, reached out to various businesses in the community, purchased a computer and eventually began leasing a copier, and then I started to acquire more equipment in my basement. After doing that for about five years, I had increased my customer base and saw this building (at 5330 W. Burleigh St.) being built and identified it as somewhere I’d like to be.”

How has the industry evolved since you’ve been in business?

“I think a lot of people are able, with their own skills and what they have in their homes, to do their own artwork. People are more knowledgeable as it relates to providing artwork print-ready. There was a time during the 1990s where we thought the print industry was going to fade – and it has declined and changed – but we still are getting a nice amount of work and I’m expecting the growth to continue over the next three to five years.”

Being woman- and minority-owned is a central part of your branding. Can you share your thought process?

“Minorities and females are often pushed to the side, especially in this industry – printing is not necessarily a woman’s field and there are not many minorities in this field. I like to let people know because there are people who are intentional about supporting companies that are woman-owned or minority-owned.” n