Custom Wedding Invitations – Printing And Publishing Is A Family Affair

Printing and publishing is a family affair for the Hibberts of Petitcodiac. Working together, they have built R. & M. Printing and Publishing into a thriving business in just three years, and they have had lots of fun doing it. Parents Robert and Mary Hibbert call the company a family legacy, and their six children say it has brought them closer together as a family.

Robert is a member of the Mi'kmaq band in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, but he grew up in Norton, New Brunswick. Over the years, he has worked for CN Railway, the Department of Transportation, and as manager of a convenience store, until a chronic illness disabled him and he left the workforce.

He and his wife Mary have become mentors for their children, who banded together to form R. & M. Printing and Publishing. "So my wife and I called a family meeting, and that's when the idea of a family business came up," explains Robert.

Mary Hibbert had already been successful as a commercial artist and was familiar with the printing business. Over the years, Robert had also learned the printing business, and had taken a Desktop Publishing course. He also had a great deal of mechanical expertise, which he passed on to his son. Their children were eager to learn. A printing company was the logical choice.

Their first order, a book on the history of Elgin, was published on a photocopier. Mary, along with another artist, Maranda Van Geest, supplied the art work. It was the best advertising R. & M. Printing and Publishing could have imagined. Soon, there were orders for flyers, brochures and calendars.

Son Ian, 24, remembers the first order of flyers that arrived before the company had a machine to do the folding. "We had 24 hours to get 20,000 flyers done," he says. "They had to be folded by hand, so we took shifts around the clock and we got the job done. That was really rewarding."

At times, innovation and enthusiasm kept the business going. Once, an order had to be completed using a sewing machine because the company had no perforating equipment. Today, the printing operation boasts top-quality equipment and a new order desk has been added.

Daughter Roberta, 22, is the salesperson. She recently left a four-year retail sales position to operate the order desk located behind the Petitcodiac Super Variety Store. Ian works full time at a local mill but manages to lend a hand as equipment operator when things get busy at the company. He is so enthusiastic about the business that he contributes most of his earnings toward the upgrading of equipment.

Dawn-Marie, 23, works for a Native jewellery company in Moncton, but she is also the packer and small equipment operator for the company. Jeanette, 17, is training to operate the press. Even Kateri, a 11-year-old computer whiz, and Jesse, seven, help the family business grow.

"We have always pulled together," Robert says. "It's so good to see everyone working together and watch the bond between us grow. The children even did the carpentry and crackfilling for the order desk together. We have a lot of fun as a family."

Today, R. & M. Printing and Publishing provides everything from business cards and letterhead to custom wedding invitations and postcards. They also fill orders for office supplies, and soon they will offer custom T-shirts.

R. & M. Printing and Publishing promises to have a bright future if the enthusiasm and commitment of the Hibbert family is any indication. It is founded upon a family of achievers.

About The Author:

Annie Walker is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.wedding-invitations-n-online.com. Find all types of wedding invitations such as printable, unique, discount, winter, theme, traditional plus more.