Terri Leezer - Ad Pro Northwest
Beginning as a home-based, promotional advertising business in 1999, Ad Pro Northwest moved to downtown Springfield in July 2005. Since then, Terri Leezer’s company has thrived – adding employees and expanding their office space.Today, the company serves clients in Oregon and internationally with imprinted products and embroidered apparel – offering over 700,000 different items to their customers.
Among Ad Pro Northwest’s many clients are Selco Credit Union, EWEB, EPUD, BiMart, Three Rivers Casino & Hotel, King Estate Winery, and Trader Joes.
We sat down with Terri Leezer at her office for a chat about her company.
Q: How did you get started in your business?
A: I was working for a friend in her promotional advertising business. She wasn’t as excited about the work as I was. One day she asked me, “Why don’t you buy the company?” At the time there was not much to “buy” except the ability to purchase products from many suppliers. Anyway, I decided to buy it and here we are today.
Q: What led you to locate your business in Springfield?
A: We outgrew our home-based office and hired our first employee, Kari Clarke, who is still with us today. I call her our “quintessential customer service queen.”
We came to Springfield as a result of my being active with the Springfield Chamber Greeters. A fellow Greeter, John Woodrow, who worked in our building at the time, let me know that a corner office on the ground floor at 7th & “A” Street was available for sublet. So we moved the business here and I bought a home in Springfield. I love being in the heart of the city! I believe in Springfield and want the community and its businesses to thrive.Q: How has your business changed over the years?
A: In the early days we were mostly involved in providing imprinted products to customers. More and more, we’re now working with our client’s on their marketing planning. We even set up websites for customers so their employees can order embroidered company apparel on the internet. You can see an example at www.companycasuals.com/epud.
Q: What do you see as coming trends in your business?
A: There are more and more technical products being offered – Ipod accessories, memory sticks, and small digital cameras. One of our school clients is using “awareness” bracelets with a USB port on them for students to use for up and downloading homework.
Q: How has your business activity been this year?
A: 2007 has been a good year for us following a great first year after our move to Springfield. We’re up about 20% this year.
Q: What is your outlook for 2008?
A: I expect another good year – so good that we may have to move to a larger space! With our client, Three Rivers Casino & Hotel, opening their new facilities, we’re preparing lots of products and apparel items for their expansion. And other clients plan to expand their promotional advertising next year too.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your work?
A: I love the people contact and the creativity involved. There are lots of challenges in coming up with new ways to help our clients grow their businesses as well as develop programs to reward and retain their employees.
Q: What statement would you like people to use in describing how you do business?
A: Ad Pro Northwest is an amazing, creative company with high integrity.
Ad Pro Northwest is located at 659 “A” St. in Springfield.
Phone: (541) 741-7711. Website: www.adpronw.com.
-- Todd Peterson, The Springfield Beacon
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