Owner/President: Sue Mills Companies: Xander Solutions Unlimited, Inc. (parent company) Superior Color Graphics Xander e-Solutions SRM Holding
Address: 1225 Swift Avenue North Kansas City, MO 64116
Phone: (816) 221-4117
E-mail: Web Site: www.xandersolutions.com Type of Business: Printing/Web development/mailing/project and production consulting Year Founded: 2001
All the companies under the Xander Solutions family of companies specialize in one or more components of client/marketing communications production. We develop and provide our clients with state-of-the-art solutions that fulfill their need to communicate effectively with their clients. Our core competencies include complete Web development and electronic solutions, data manipulation, high-end quality offset and digital full-color commercial printing, print-on-demand, finishing, mailing and fulfillment. The industry’s newest equipment and technology combined with our highly trained staff ensure that our clients’ ever-changing needs for the highest quality products at a competitive price are met. We pride ourselves on our “partnership” approach with our clients. We don’t want to be merely a vendor. The cutting edge solutions we provide help our clients set themselves apart from their competitors.
I began Xander in 2001, at the request of several East Coast clients that I had been doing consulting work for. My role as their consultant was to help them identify and improve their entire marketing communications programs corporation wide. I worked closely with their advertising agencies to implement marketing concepts to maintain brand consistency and utilize production efficiencies. Xander designed, built and now manages the Web ordering, production, mailing and distribution for these clients nationwide from our facilities locally. Kansas City’s central location makes it geographically appealing for mailing to all over the country. In addition, my clients like our Midwest “customer service” ethic and find that due to our lower wage base, they are able to realize savings over producing on either coast. Personal Wealth Having spent many years working for companies, both large and small, I find that I now have more control over my financial possibilities. Owning my own businesses allows me opportunities that were not available to me when I was merely an employee drawing a salary. I have always excelled in my career path and have made a lot of money for others. Now I am securing my own future and that of my family. Instead of living paycheck to paycheck, my business success has allowed me to plan for the future, rather than “just get by.” However, future growth and success of the companies requires that a significant amount of revenue remains in the companies and is reinvested. But I now have the satisfaction of knowing that the investment directly impacts my future. Community Wealth Since Xander’s purchase of Superior Color Graphics in August 2004, we have increased the workforce by 25 percent and retained the existing employees. Over the past several years, the printing industry, not unlike many other industries, has seen many of its long-time businesses close. Our business model includes further increases in equipment and personnel. We are firmly committed to hiring locally and spending locally, further helping the Kansas City economy. In addition, we have recently partnered with the new hockey team in Kansas City, the Outlaws, as their printing partner. We hope to assist in making the hockey team successful and further add to the Kansas City job base. Social Wealth As a business owner and working mother, it’s often difficult to find time to “give back” to a society that has provided me with the opportunities I’ve had. In addition, it’s important to me to feel like I have made a difference at the end of a day. Xander Solutions and Superior Color Graphics both sponsor various youth sports teams in the metro area. In addition, I established a non-profit corporation that works nationally to rescue, foster and re-home Old English Sheepdogs and other dogs needing help. We manage the daily business of the non-profit here in Kansas City, and I work with volunteers around the country on a daily basis to rescue animals, transport them and re-home them. We continually conduct fundraisers to help pay for medical and transportation expenses associated with these rescued animals.
Financing My business was originally funded from fees I received for consulting work. Over the years, I have established a line of credit that is available to cover accounts payable, if necessary. I also am fortunate to have found a wonderful banking relationship in North Kansas City. My banking partners at Norbank believe in the vision I have for the growth of the entire Xander Corporation, as well as each of my individual companies. This has been vital to Xander’s continued success.
Certification Xander Solutions and Superior Color Graphics are both certified as WBE. We are currently certified with NWBOC nationally and also the State of Missouri. Our certification with WBNEC is currently in process and is due to be completed within 30 days. I was at first reluctant to certify because I didn’t feel it was necessary. I was confident in my abilities and that of my employees to compete without certification. However, after three years, one of my largest clients finally insisted that we certify so that we could be counted as a diverse supplier within their corporate program. We have now officially been certified for several months, and I am pleasantly surprised at the people and contacts this new certification has provided me.
Support Systems I have been fortunate to have many “mentors” over the years. I continually draw from their expertise and experience. In addition, I am a member of the Kansas City Council of Women Business Owners, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Printing & Imaging Association, North Kansas City Business Council & Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP). All of these resources keep me in touch with other business owners who are facing the same challenges that I face. Most Significant Accomplishment
The phenomenal growth and success that the Xander Companies have experienced in 3½ short years is something I am extremely proud of. We have seen tremendous growth even through difficult economic times. I’m so proud of the people that make up our Xander family of employees and credit them with our success. I have a job that I love to come to everyday and I realize how lucky that makes me.
Greatest Challenge My biggest challenge is staying on top of “cutting edge” technology. The industry and technology are constantly changing. In addition, sometimes finding enough hours in a day to accomplish everything we have planned can be a challenge. I’m fortunate to have a wonderful team of employees who I can count on to treat our clients as partners and take ownership and pride in our mutual objectives.
