SpeedPro Imaging’s November 2017 Franchisee in Focus: Jeff Meade, Lexington, Kentucky

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Nation’s Leading Printing and Graphics Franchise Monthly Franchisee Series Focuses on Studio Owner Jeff Meade’s Pursuit of a New Career

November 20, 2017 // Franchising.com // When Jeff Meade was considering going into business for himself, one of the first ideas that popped into his head was owning a pizza joint. Meade quickly abandoned the idea as the thought of managing 20-year-olds at 2 a.m. was simply hard to digest. Today, he is the owner and operator of a productive SpeedPro Imaging studio in Lexington, Kentucky.

Meade joined SpeedPro Imaging, the nation’s leading printing and graphics franchise, in September 2016. He faces the daily highs and lows that come with being a small business owner. However, the good news for Meade is that his career to date has fully prepared him for the trials and tribulations of entrepreneurship. Meade’s resume bullet points include stints with the United States Marine Corps, the Lexington Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. “One thing is for sure, it’s a lot less stressful being a SpeedPro Imaging franchisee than being a DEA Agent,” says Meade.

He hasn’t seen it all in his 51 years, but Meade has seen plenty, which was his goal. “I joined the Marines after graduating from the University of Kentucky because as long as I can remember I wanted to be able say I was a United States Marine,” says Jeff. Joining the Marine Corps also afforded Meade the opportunity to see the globe.

It’s Meade’s global experience that helps him succeed as a SpeedPro Imaging consultant. The doors to his studio opened in March and he’s already partnered with several reliable, high-impact clients. Among those now in the rolodex is Great Expectations Wedding and Events Planning. The SpeedPro Lexington Team recently fulfilled an order for a 20 ft x 20 ft Great Gatsby themed dance floor as well as approximately 30 menu boards and an 8’ x 10’ step and repeat banner to help celebrate the marriage of two Lexingtonians.

Meade knows Kentucky well. He was born and raised in the eastern part of the state. After wrapping up a four-year career in the Marines, Meade returned to Lexington, home of his alma-mater, to join the city’s police department. A few years later he was in Quantico, training for what would eventually turn into more than a two-decade tenure as a DEA agent.

It was during the latter stages of his career when Meade started contemplating what was next in his life. “The government mandates that Special Agent’s retire at 57,” says Meade. “I was interested in business ownership. Shortly after my friend and I abandoned the pizza idea I was contacted by a franchise consultant who eventually connected Meade with SpeedPro Imaging.

In August of 2016, three months after meeting with the franchise consultant, Meade was on a plane flying out to Denver to meet the leadership at SpeedPro Imaging. “I felt comfortable with the entire Home Office team from the jump,” says Meade. “They have done a great job building camaraderie throughout the entire system.”

Meade hasn’t looked back. He now employs two people at his studio. He says a low overhead model, high success rate, family atmosphere and business-to-business model makes SpeedPro Imaging a perfect fit for his style. “I’m a people person. I’ve been that way since my time with the police force and the DEA. I know how to inspire people to do things they don’t necessarily want to do while keeping morale high. SpeedPro aligns well with my skillset.”

Lexington, Kentucky and the surrounding area has served as fertile soil for his budding franchise. It’s a community that is 400,000 residents strong, and growing. With no other relevant franchise in his backyard, Meade is looking forward to fostering new relationships for years to come.

SpeedPro Imaging gives Jeff freedom and flexibility that other business opportunities were lacking. “I have friends who own a pizza store and grocery stores,” says Meade. “I didn’t want the high-traffic, low-return model. SpeedPro Imaging is a scalable business, and more importantly, I’m not working all sorts of crazy hours.”

No matter how you slice it, Jeff Meade is enjoying his decision to join the SpeedPro Imaging team. For more information on the SpeedPro Imaging franchise opportunity and what it takes to be a successful franchise owner like Jeff, please visit speedprofranchising.com.

SOURCE SpeedPro Imaging

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