Roadrunner Print & Ship, located in Palm Springs, was founded in 2021 by Bob and Ben Kincaid. We sat down with Bob to celebrate Roadrunner Print & Ship’s new status as an EmployABILITY Champion and discuss what that means to him.
When you tell people what your business does or provides, what do you say?
Our primary business is printing and shipping, but we’re also looking to expand the direct-mail side of our business, which is what the EmployABILITY Business Grant will be used for. But even more than the day-to-day business, we also look at our business as a way to build relationships with customers and with our community. Building relationships and giving our customers super-star care in a convenient, efficient, and friendly environment are our core values. Sticking to those values has led to significant growth and opened up a lot of opportunities for us.
How did you find out about the EmployABILITY Business Grant?
Well, that relationship building is what led to us hearing about the grant! We have good friends who own a cat café. They heard about the grant from a Department of Rehabilitation representative, and they applied for it. Our friends then encouraged us to apply because they knew we were looking to start an internship program for individuals with disabilities. We’ve really been so grateful for the doors this has opened, even beyond the grant. We now have a relationship with the Department of Rehabilitation and are using some of their services, like their “Disability Awareness and Etiquette Training,” to help us get this program up and running, and we’re working with United Cerebral Palsy to help us find our first intern.
How do you plan to use EmployABILITY Business Grant funds to grow your business? We’re starting a 24-week paid training program for individuals with disabilities. The interns will learn skills in direct-mail and printing, as well as learning about shipping, packing, and other business service needs. We’re also using grant funds to buy new mailing equipment and to make accessibility upgrades to the building, like installing an automatic door with push button access and adding audible and visual alarms for when equipment stops and when phones ring. We’re also using funds to give bus passes to the interns who may need that.
What does it mean to you to be a recipient of this grant, an EmployABILITY Champion?
We’re very excited! The title is great, but really, it’s about being a positive force in the community. It feels good to provide employment opportunities and do it while growing our business. We hope we’ll be a role model for other businesses to do the same.
For more information on Roadrunner Print & Ship, visit https://www.roadrunnerprintandship.com/.
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