Page 31 - INSIGHT MAGAZINE - NoBleed_Neat

business Tstone Mailing experienced I never really view numbers. It’s just what “I never went to college. I just fell into this
during the pandemic. “What it did for us I do,” says Frank. “My successes are based and every time someone said ‘no’ to me,
was open up other opportunities.” on the success of my customers.” I just had to prove them wrong,” laughs
These included lucrative deals with He says getting an email from a customer Frank. “I think I may have built the whole
not only more companies, but several thanking him for going that extra mile to company out of spite.”
contracts with various Provincial ensure their products are delivered is the For more on Tstone Mailing, visit
government ministries that needed to best reward the team at Tstone Mailing www.tstonemailing.com or call 519-740-
distribute much-needed items during the can receive, recalling one instance where 9235.
lockdowns. he chartered a plane to deliver a much-
“But it was a terrifying time because no needed item to Saskatoon to meet an
one really knew anything,” says Frank, important deadline after receiving a
referring to the safety precautions he panicked late-night call from a customer.
put in place to keep his employees safe “Probably the best part about a being a
during that time and adds that treating small business owner is that we get to
them well has been a big part of Tstone’s make other people look really good,” says
success. “If you treat them well, pay them Frank.
well and respect them, that makes for a However, at the age of 54, he admits
fun workplace.” thoughts of retirement are not far from
He learned the importance of respect his mind and that he and Samantha have
in the workplace the hard way after he been “testing the waters” by taking some
says his partners in the Guelph-based time off.
direct mail company he helped create “I could really walk away, and this place
unceremoniously ‘divorced’ him one will still run. I’ve done the hard work,
Friday afternoon. By Monday, Frank says which is letting go,” says Frank.
he had consulted with a lawyer and
Tstone Mailing was born.

“But we’ve been doing this so long we
“I was pretty young and don’t know what it’s like not to do this.”
courageous then,” he jokes,
adding his new company’s He says their two children have their own
pursuits and despite working at Tstone
name was inspired by a fictional while growing up have expressed no
character he played online desire to take over the business.
games with called ‘Tom Stone’. “I was actually kind of glad they have
Within a month of opening, Frank says wanted to do their own thing because
Tstone Mailing had obtained 75% of his this is my thing, not their thing,” says
previous company’s business and today Frank. “It takes a special kind of person
has built solid relationships with more to do this job.”
than 800 regular customers from all In fact, he says being a small business
walks of life, and business sizes. owner is not for everyone and urges
“For us, at the end of the day it doesn’t would-be business owners to not only
matter how big or how small our retain a good lawyer and accountant but
customers are because it’s just a number take a college course to learn business
at the end of the month. basics. PHOTOS BY BRIAN RODNICK

www.cambridgechamber.com Fall 2023 31