20. Ready Steady Print

Founders: Joshua Kamil

Revenue: $1.04 million

Started: 2007

Employees: 6

Industry: Printing

Website: https://www.readysteadyprint.com.au

Joshua Kamil was barely in his 20s when he founded his printing business Ready Steady Print in 2007, with only a little knowledge of printing and design.

Kamil says he was inspired to enter the small business sector as an alternative to an otherwise predictable career.

“I am a corporate finance honours student who was destined to do his PhD in corporate finance and then work in the CBD, 16 hours a day at an investment bank,” Kamil says.

“All that changed when I realised the potential of working with SMEs and bringing them services at then below market prices.”

Ready Steady Print was established as a niche businesses designed to take advantage of a significant gap in the printing sector.

Kamil says in 2007, very few small businesses were able to access affordable printing, while larger businesses enjoyed substantial discounts for placing big orders.

“Through my own dealings with traditional printing companies, I experienced unsatisfactory customer service, inaccessible customer support and excessive premiums because my orders were not substantial enough and I didn’t have the purchasing power to demand cheaper printing,” Kamil says.

“Ready Steady Print was launched as a self-service online printing company, allowing  businesses of all sizes to access printing at the same low rates.”

The business now has six staff and recorded revenue of $1.04 million last financial year.

Kamil says of all the challenges that arose within the start-up phase, including securing adequate funding and establishing a functional website, the selling side of the business was the hardest.

“Without the benefit of years of experience in the industry, it was difficult to gain customers’ trust and instill them with confidence,” he says.

“Fortunately, I enjoy studying and love gaining knowledge. I have learnt to track and predict the trends in the industry so that I am better informed and, as such, can tailor business solutions to better suit my customers’ needs.”

According to Kamil, starting a business means accepting the fact that you only get out what you put in.

“I have no hesitation working late at night on a new product or service launch knowing that once it’s all done and launched successfully, I will be the one to reap the rewards,” he says.