Due to the ambitions of two young entrepreneurs, Quality Logo Products has become one of the most successful promotional products distributors in the United States. While they were still students at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, owners Bret Bonnet and Michael Wenger received a grant from the Coleman Foundation to start the company. Bonnet and Wenger were the sole employees when Quality Logo Products launched in 2003, and they operated out of their college dorm room until staffing demands required they relocate to the basement of Bonnet’s home (which they also rapidly outgrew). Eventually, almost every room in the house—including the kitchen and upstairs hall—had been converted into office space.
In 2009, Quality Logo Products earned a spot on Inc. Magazine’s “The Inc. 5000,” which ranks the top 5000 fastest-growing privately-held companies in the United States, due to their 547.2% revenue increase from 2005 to 2008. Quality Logo Products now employs 38 staff, runs a thriving promotional blog, and is headquartered in a 6500-square-foot building in Aurora, Illinois. The company sells tens of thousands of promotional items online, from logo pens to custom stress balls, and more are added every day!
Are you interested in starting your own company? The owners of Quality Logo Products have some advice for you. Bonnet encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to start before graduation, to save every possible cent, and to give good ideas a shot before it’s too late. Create something that not many people have done. If you find it has been done a numerous amount of times, think of ways to make it your own. Everyone is intrigued by original ideas. How about something like custom coins? Don't rush with your ideas. “Every day is an opportunity, and your big chance could disappear before you know it,” says Bonnet. “Also, when you finally make your idea work, be sure to treat your employees with respect. That’s the number one thing.”
Great entrepreneur success story. It is always interesting to hear stories when young people realise their business ideas successfully. I am very proud of these guys!