This is one for the “best laid plans” file.
Danielle Rickert had no interest in business. In fact, when she went off to college, she deliberately avoided business classes.
“It did not appeal to me at all and I would not want to do that. I studied design, focusing on interior design,” she said.
But, these days, you can find her totally involved in business as the very happy owner of Sir Speedy in Prescott.
“I liked the idea of working Monday through Friday,” she said. “It’s business to business dealing with other business-minded people. That was appealing to me.”
“Sir Speedy does any kind of printing you can think of, from cards to embroidery or screen printing on shirts and hats. We do promotional items, pens, electronic decals, magnets and things you need at a convention. We help with any kind of marketing with demographics,” she said.
The company employs seven people, from designers to press operators and to truck drivers outside and inside sales people.
She took over Sir Speedy in September 2014.
“Things have been going very well,” she said. “In July, it was the biggest month we ever had. I can’t tell you why.”
“We are growing and we are very excited about how things are going,” she said.
Hazel Bowman, who hosts the annual the Prescott Bridal Affaire Expo, says she could not pull it off each March without the help of Sir Speedy.
She says there is a lot of printing in putting on the event.
“They have done an astonishing job,” she said. “There are programs, books, poster boards, signage, directions, registration and banners.”
She says that one way of defining success is recognition from colleagues for a job well done.
Rickert admits that she got in the business by accident.
“I just happened upon it, to be honest. It wasn’t like I planned it.”
She grew up in California’s Orange County. She went to UC Davis. Afterward, she came back and settled in San Diego.
She and her father bought three UPS stores, and they still have them.
But, she says, operating a small business in California is frustrating.
“It feels like a rat race,” she said. “You work really hard and you’re not getting where you want to go,” she said.
Her parents had decided to move to Arizona.
“That’s how I found Prescott, through them,” she said.
Rickert’s father found many businesses for sale in Northern Arizona and they decided on Sir Speedy, because, for one reason, its building was also for sale.
“I looked at it and I thought, maybe I need to go check out Prescott,” she said.
She said she also like the small town feeling of Prescott, even when it came to going to the bank.
“They were open to business,” she said. “Little things, like if someone bumps into you on the street, they say, ‘Oh. I’m sorry.”’
Rickert says she is finding her place in the community.
“We have friends all over and that’s really cool. When we go to convention, we get to meet all these people.”
As a result, she never feels alone.
“If you need help, it’s like a big family.”
Also, her Mom does the books and her dad is on hand for support when needed.
As for the future, Rickert has no definite plans.
“I am not a goal-oriented person. I go with the flow. I just worry about today,” she said. “I know you’re supposed to have goals, but really, I’m looking at what I need to do for today.”
And her clients appreciate her focus on today’s deadlines. “I love working with Danielle and her team on my printing projects,” said Breeanya Hinkel of BJH Design.
Sir Speedy helps her with all her printing projects such as post cards, brochures, newsletters and print design projects.
She said they offer a quick turn-around and excellent communication.
“I use them because they have always been so helpful,” she said.
Who do you admire and why?
“I know the answer is my Mom and there are many reasons. How do you tie that up in a sentence? She is my best friend. She is always there for me.”
When was the last time you laughed really hard?
“Yesterday morning. I was watching The Voice with my Mom. We were watching a kid who was coming out of his shell by doing Elvis gyrations. It was hysterical to us.”
What book would you recommend to others?
“I do audio books. I really liked the autobiography by Ronald Reagan, ‘An American Life.’ It was interesting to hear his point of view about his life.”
What’s your favorite movie?
“My favorite movie is called “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.”
How do you unwind?
“I like to work out, go out for a bike ride or hike. I like the outdoors.” QCBN
Sir Speedy is located at 1961 Commerce Center Circle in Prescott.
For more information, call 928-776-4332 or visit the website at sirspeedy.com/Prescott.
By Patty McCormac, QCBN