Today we’d like to introduce you to Turan Cinkilic.
Turan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My parents moved to the United States from Turkey in the mid 1980’s when the economy was at an all-time high. My father, 55 who was a retired electrical engineer wanted to start a business of his own, where my mom and I, age 25, could also be a part of — living the “American Dream”. Back then, becoming an entrepreneur at age 55 was an uncommon concept. After researching different fields, I suggested getting into the copying and printing industry. I had worked at a print shop for a few years and saw felt that it was a thriving business. We started out as a “Sir Speedy Printing”, a franchise. Purchased our first unit at “Custance Place”, in Lexington, and there began a new chapter in our lives. Mom worked the copy machines [while cooking home cooked meals on the side], dad did artwork prep, and the bookkeeping, and I was making sales calls, doing customer service, operating the press, doing bindery work and delivering the jobs to the customers. After about a year of working 15 hour days, we finally started hiring employees and later expanded to 2 additional units in the same building. About 5 years later, I got married and my wife joined us, and later after finishing college, my sister also became a part of the “family business”. In 2006, we decided to drop the franchise, and go on our own as Lexington Graphics. About 3 years ago my dad passed away, and my mom retired to taking care of grandchildren and we now have 10 employees [3 of which are family], who joined our team. We have been in business for 30 years with most of the same employees for 15 years or more.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As everyone knows, the printing business is an ever changing industry. Keeping up with the technology and always having the newest and up to date equipment is a must. Some of these machines are a hefty investment and constantly renewing and updating can have its’ challenges. Also in years past, everyone used to order their printing in quantities of 1000’s or more, now, due to things changing so rapidly, it’s 100’s at a time, on-demand same day turnaround. Everyone wants their job yesterday, with optimum quality and at minimal costs. Trying to keep up with online prices is another challenge. As the cost of paper, ink, toner, employee wages have all gone up, we seem to be lowering our costs to stay competitive. I wouldn’t say printing is dying – everyone still needs some sort of printed material – it’s just that the demands are now different than they used to be. We are always looking to bring on new services to our repertoire to stay on top of things which is always challenging but fun.
Please tell us about Lexington Graphics.
We are a one-stop shop. Our services include design, (anything from logos to brochures, marketing collateral, postcards, and signs, etc.), to printing, copying and fulfillment. We also do posters, signage, labels and have recently added promotional products. Above all, however, we are known for our exceptional customer service. We make every effort to respond to emails promptly and there is an actual live person to answer phone calls at all times. One of the things we consistently hear from our clients is how easy we make it for them to work with us. We receive files from our clients that may not always be in the format that is needed for printing. Lots of times, instead of going back and forth with the customers, or printing it the way it is, we will correct their files, and make it into a workable/printable piece. This definitely sets us apart from other printers where the motto is “you get what you get and you don’t get upset”.
We have been in business for 30 years and really have gotten to know our customers, their lives, their families and their businesses. When a customer calls and asks us to repeat an order they did 5 years ago, and we remember every detail of it better than they do, they are always amazed and impressed. All our employees give a 110% to make sure every job is done correctly and on time. Our customer service is definitely something we are proud of and our customers know that when they come to us, they don’t have to cross their fingers to make sure their job gets done right. We really enjoy what we do and I think people appreciate that. We are sincere, honest and have our customers’ interests at all times. We wouldn’t be around as long as we have been, if this wasn’t so.
Contact Info:
- Address: 76 Bedford Street, Lexington MA 02420
- Website: www.LexGraph.com
- Phone: 781.863.9510
- Email: print@lexgraph.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexingtongraphics/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lexington-graphics-lexington-3
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