Meet the owner of Minuteman Press Uptown: Frank Brown. This small business entrepreneur is one of the 14 values-driven businesses that have come together in support of Pollen’s mission to invest in human connection. Together, they challenge Pollenites to raise $15,000 by Give to the Max Day on November 16, which they will match dollar for dollar. Match the hive and donate today.
Photo by Bobby Rogers
Minuteman Press Uptown is a marketing company that does printing, graphic design, bulk mailing, and promotional products. The union shop provides livable wages, sick and safe time, and vacation time for its employees. Minuteman Press Uptown also believes that every human being can change and deserves a second chance, which is they consider it their social mission to hire people with criminal records.
How do you go beyond the transactional and begin to find meaning and depth in your work?
I volunteer in organizations that are making a difference. I build relationships with racial, social, and economic justice minded people. And because I am an organizer, I understand that if we work together we can be a force to make businesses and even corporations change their practices. I know that it goes beyond giving money and sitting on boards, because if my actions and policies don’t reflect where I’m investing my time, talent, and resources, then I’m just trying to appear ethical. I am really just running an experiment. And if it is successful, maybe I can change the world.
I understand that if we work together, we can be a force to make businesses and even corporations change their practices.
What’s the culture of your team? How do you support one another? How did that culture come to be?
The culture at Minuteman Press Uptown is one focused on our customers. We tend to be overly picky with what we print and can be perfectionists. We work as a team to produce the best print products in the marketplace. Yes, we get stressed with last minute changes, but we seem to pull it together and get things done for our customers. We all have lives outside of work, and we support our team members when needed, and we celebrate too. I think getting through some rough times and being brutally honest has brought us closer together. Sometimes that means me, as the owner, working hard to change and grow as part of a team. I value all my employees and have experienced much growth in this, my first crack at owning a business. I’ve learned that there is always room to grow and revisit areas that I need to continue to work on within myself. I think that is what being a good leader is about.
Sometimes that means me, as the owner, working hard to change and grow as part of a team.
Do you have a favorite mantra or quote to keep you going and inspired?
“Don’t aspire to make a living, aspire to make a difference.” —Denzel Washington
Join Frank:
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Find Minuteman Press Uptown online and give them an online hug for supporting Pollen.
f: facebook.com/MinutemanpressUptown
w: mpuptown.com