Minuteman Press

In December of 1985, Hal and Marti Richardson joined the Minuteman Press franchise family by opening their center in Montgomery, AL. 40 years later, with retirement on the horizon, Hal and Marti were awarded their Special Achievement Award honoring four decades of business ownership.

In his own words, Hal reflects on his incredible journey and talks about discovering Minuteman Press, working through the early years, building long-term relationships with clients he still has to this day, changes to the industry, and how the business became woven into the fabric of the family life he and Marti built together.

A Personal Reflection on 40 Years
By Hal Richardson, Minuteman Press, Montgomery, AL

Wow — where did 40 years go? It feels like it’s been both a long and a short journey. When I think back to 1985—starting the business, raising two kids, moving locations three times, and going through both the great years and the tough ones—it really hits me how much life has happened inside these four decades. And I also realize that none of it would have been possible without the support of my family, friends, and especially my wife, Marti. She’s been the best partner I could ever ask for—not just in business, but in every part of my life.

Discovering Minuteman Press

Our story began in California. We were working as missionaries with the Southern Baptist Convention, and as our two-year program was ending, we started praying and thinking about what we wanted to do for the rest of our lives. My background was in manufacturing, and business ownership appealed to me. Printing seemed like a good fit—even though I’d never stepped foot in a print shop before.

We looked at several franchises, including Kwik Kopy and PIP, and finally Minuteman Press. Their program and the level of support they offered made all the difference, especially since we were moving across the country. We signed the papers with Harlan Monford and headed to Montgomery, where Bob Moore became our regional director. And that’s where the journey officially began in 1985.

The Early Years & Coming Full Circle

Those early years were hard work. Even with two weeks of in-person training in New York, the learning curve was there. Thankfully, we had support from Minuteman Press and a great pressman who taught us so much. Marti and I spent plenty of late nights at the shop before we could afford more staff, and deciding when to hire was always a challenge. We delivered orders in a two-door Cutlass—our only vehicle—which made for some interesting days. But the franchise support was invaluable. Whenever we didn’t have the answers—and that was often—they were there to help with hiring, training, and giving us a system to rely on.

The business also became part of our family story. Marti and I worked side by side until we had our first child, Meredith, five years in. When she was born, I like to joke that I lost my best employee—but I was grateful that Marti had the chance to stay home with Meredith and Clay. That’s what she wanted more than anything, and the business allowed us to live that life. Once the kids grew up—finished elementary school, high school, college, and moved out on their own—Marti came back to work with me. It feels like things have come full circle.

When Customers Become Friends & Growing Together

We’ve had so many wonderful customers who became true friends. One memory that stands out is from 1989, when I met a man starting a nonprofit called Family Guidance Center. Today it’s one of the largest organizations of its kind in the state, doing amazing work in communities across Alabama. We’ve been their printer—and their friends—for all these years. Our customers really are our backbone. We treat them like family, and we always try to go above and beyond. That approach has kept us in good standing for decades.

Changes to the Industry

The industry itself has changed dramatically. When we started, we ran 1250 presses and made paper plates just to print on. Offering two-color printing—and the occasional free color—was a big deal. Four-color process was expensive and took weeks. Today, with our Xerox Iridesse, we can print thousands of full-color brochures in about 20 minutes and finish them just as fast.

The graphic arts world has changed too. Back then, only trained graphic artists or print-shop staff could create artwork. Now customers design their own files, download templates from the internet, and send us ready-to-print pieces. The digital world transformed everything.

I also think back to the early years of the QMDI presses. When they came out, we bought one and suddenly we were printing for Minuteman Press centers nationwide. We became a preferred printer and built relationships with franchise owners all over the country. It was a great run, until copier technology advanced and costs dropped to the point that the QMDI wasn’t viable anymore. But those were exciting times, full of growth and great memories.

Employees—well, that’s a story of its own. There have been challenges, but I’ve also had incredible employees. One of them, Mike A., has been with me for 34 years. At 74, he still works harder than most 18-year-olds. I’ve been blessed to have people like him by my side.

Resiliency During the Recession – “The Business Came Back”

Some of the toughest times came during the Great Recession in 2008–2009. Everything seemed to shut down. What got us through was the support of the franchise, working with the banks, loyal customers, and leaning heavily on our faith and our family. We tightened our operation and did what we had to do. It took almost two years to get back to where we were, but the business came back.

Final Reflections on 40 Years as Retirement Approaches

There are so many things I’ve loved about running this business. One is simply that it’s mine. I’m responsible for it all—the success and the challenges. I genuinely enjoy solving problems, working with customers, and even getting hands-on with the equipment. Production has always energized me. Meeting deadlines, producing quality work, and earning customer trust for over 40 years—that’s something I’m proud of.

We’ve built a strong customer base, with many clients who have been with us for over 20 years. Their referrals and loyalty have kept us going strong, and we work every day to turn new customers into lifelong business partners.

So, to sum it up, it’s been a wonderful 40 years. I’m grateful for every part of the journey. And now, Marti and I, we’re ready to retire and enjoy time with our family. Our kids are in Nashville and West Hollywood, and we’re excited to travel, visit them more often, and begin this next chapter. We are in the process of selling the business and handing it off to another great owner who will take care of our customers. We feel confident the transition will be smooth and that Minuteman Press will support them just as they supported us for all these incredible years. We’re excited for what’s ahead and grateful for everything that brought us here.

SINCERELY, HAL & MARTI RICHARDSON

Special Note: We wish Hal & Marti all the best in their retirement and congratulate new owner Rajesh Patel on purchasing Minuteman Press in Montogomery.