meet: John Pinnington:

Quality is the best policy for a small business

John Pinnington started AA Printing Service with one employee — himself — and $4,500. It has grown in spite of the recession.

Name of business: AA Printing Service

Owned by: John Pinnington

In business since: 2010

Address: 4800 S. Maryland Parkway, Ste. C, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Phone: 527-7474

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.aaprintinglasvegas.com

Hours and days: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday

Describe your business.

AA Printing Service is dedicated to providing superior quality printing for the best possible price in today’s market. We print everything from business cards, brochures, postcards, fliers and letterhead to wedding invitations to full-color banners, posters, billboards and signs. We also offer design assistance and same-day delivery.

We achieve the low cost and high quality by utilizing the latest web-based technologies and state-of-the-art equipment. We offer a vast selection of paper stock from which to choose and superior customer service.

Who are your customers?

Our customers run the gamut from individuals who need quick copies of documents to medium and large organizations that need more extensive printing work, such as cards, brochures, banners, stand and repeats, magazines, catalogs or NCR forms. Also, since we are right across the street from UNLV, we have a lot of students who come in for last-minute jobs!

What makes your business unique?

We serve a particular niche clientele in Las Vegas. Many of our customers need same-day or next-day printing service with a fast turnaround time. We pride ourselves on those qualities, in addition to our detailed and friendly customer service.

What’s the most important part of your job?

Keeping my word with customers. I tell them what AA Printing is going to do for them, and then we do it. We have to deliver and keep customers happy through quality service, hard work and great products.

What is the hardest part about doing business in Las Vegas?

There is a modicum of red tape in making sure all the necessary legal documentation has been noted correctly so the business is “legal,” so to speak.

And although Las Vegas is known as the entertainment capital of the world, it is actually a very small city. Everyone knows each other. Everyone is somehow connected. There are good things and bad things about that.

Finally, just getting started as a new business owner can be difficult in Las Vegas. Sometimes there seems to be an impenetrable wall in getting started and making your brand known. You have to prove yourself over and over.

What is the best part about doing business in Las Vegas?

The city lends itself to a multitude of networking opportunities. Until I arrived here, I never really thought of networking as crucial to business success. I think people in other cities are used to handing out business cards here and there. But in Las Vegas, there is a true, concerted effort to make business owners get out there and let the public know what they have to offer.

In turn, you have to build a brand, show your face and keep letting people know what you do and what you stand for.

Also, we have great business chambers here, which allows for fantastic advocacy of local entrepreneurs. I can’t stress the importance of being a member of a chamber. I’m out four or five days a week meeting people and attending chamber functions, and usually I wind up obtaining more business.

What is your business philosophy?

Study, ask questions, learn and repeat.

I also believe slow and steady wins the race. Too many business owners start out with grand plans, whether it be in size or in scope. They have not done their due diligence as to who their target audience is, how they will get business from them, and most importantly, how long it will take to reach them.

What obstacles has your business overcome?

Being a small printing company is difficult here. Unfortunately, there are printing companies in Las Vegas that provide cheap prices and poor quality.

We’ve overcome being lumped in with those companies through our service, products and commitment to quality and fast delivery. It’s very competitive here, so we have to stand out through specific branding.

How can Nevada improve its business climate?

First, simplify the tax codes for small-business owners. I think some of the more complicated language in the tax codes could be fleshed out. There is a lot of overlapping and archaic things within the codes.

Also, I think local banks really need to make it easier for small-business owners to take out loans that will help raise capital. Somewhere, someone has to believe in small business and have faith in our local economy.

What have you learned from the recession?

Fortunately, we have not been a victim of the recession, like other businesses.

I started AA Printing with just $4,500 out of my own pocket. We grew from one employee (me) to five. We now have a brand new delivery van. We will be opening a second shop in 2013.

I can honestly say we’ve been fortunate.

We just have to stay on course, be patient and continue to deliver on our promise to our customers.

Business

Share