A Perfect Partnership To Present A Perfect Opportunity

On two occasions last year (2007), Guilford County partnered with East Market Street Development Corporation (EMSDC) to inform minority businesses of the requirements do business with Guilford County. Attendees included minority contractors, subcontractors, and others who sell products and services.

The March 29, 2007 workshop titled “What You Need To Know To Do Business With Guilford County” was attended by 32 different minority businesses at the Central Library downtown Greensboro. Topics of interest were requirements to do business with Guilford County, bid limits, Guilford County contracts, Guilford County web page, minority suppliers list, and more.

On October 23, 2007, well over 60 minority subcontractors gathered to hear how they might secure business from Guilford County. The meeting was held at the Central Library in downtown Greensboro and featured topics on bid limits, Guilford County Contracts, construction projects, and the new way for vendors to register with Guilford County.

Results from surveys suggested that the workshops were very informative and were a step in a positive direction. With such an awesome turn-out, additional workshops will, undoubtedly, be held in the future!

Cheapcopies
1306 E. Wendover Ave Greensboro, NC 27405
336.273.5524

In mid 2005 Guilford County’s Minority Coordinator received a phone call from the owner (African American) of Cheapcopies (a printing company) who wanted to know what he needed to do to provide printing service to the county. The owner was told that he could certainly register his company in Guilford County’s database but was also told that the City of Greensboro already had a printing contract with the county and was handling all requests. Michael Campbell (owner of Cheapcopies) said that the City of Greensboro couldn’t be handling all of the county’s printing requests because he had seen a several county employees at various well known printing companies having copies made after hours. He then explained that he only wanted to handle Guilford County’s overflow and emergency printing. Since the initial contact, a business relationship was established with Cheapcopies. A number of county departments are utilizing Cheapcopies for emergency and overflow printing service.

Cheapcopies owner Michael Campbell began his career as a police officer with the Greensboro Police Dept. During his time as police officer, Michael worked part time for a company called National Press where he learned the printing business. Eventually Michael decided to open his own printing business because he had finally found his niche. After five years with the police department, Michael formed Cheapcopies. That was thirty seven years ago.

Cheapcopies customers include A&T State University, City of Greensboro, City of High Point, City of Winston-Salem, Moses Cone Community Foundation, Steak & Shake, Church’s Chicken, Ft. Bragg, and the local US Postal Service.

Promo Solutions
6420 Rea Rd., Charlotte, NC 28217
704.517.3009

As an exhibitor at the (first ever held in North Carolina) Hispanic Contractors Association trade fair in Charlotte May 2007, Guilford County’s minority coordinator had an opportunity to network with a number of Hispanic businesses. One business owner who stopped at Guilford County’s booth stated that his company sold promotional items at a reasonable cost and boasted that his company placed delivery performance/quality very high on its list.

Prior to starting Promo Solutions, Rudy Esquivec (a Latino who imigrated from Cuba) had several prior jobs. He worked in a supervisory and technical capacity for several manufacturing plants in the seventies and early eighties. In the mid eighties, Rudy partnered with an associate and opened a business called Lincoln Textiles. In 2005 Rudy started the company known as Promo Solutions. Guilford County placed an order with Promo Solutions shortly after the trade fair. All items where shipped on schedule, quantities were exactly what they were suppose to be, and the quality of the merchandise was as expected. Guilford County was very pleased with Promo Solution’s performance.

Promo Solutions customers include Bank of America, Charlotte Copy Data, Ross Department Stores, the State of North Carolina, and the Fayetteville Police Department. Promo Solutions is the preferred vendor for the North Carolina Youth & College Division of the NAACP.

United Janitorial
5304 Broadmoor Place, Greensboro, NC 27410
336.987.0427

After graduating high school in Cleveland, Ohio, Rhonda Mason (African American Female) relocated to Greensboro to begin a new life. Her first job in Greensboro was with Guilford Mills, a reputable textile manufacturing business. Rhonda always wanted to own her own company and after several years with Guilford Mills decided to open a business where the startup costs would be minimum and the demand for the service would be high. She took a giant step, opened her business in 1997, and named it United Janitorial. Starting out, Rhonda did residential cleaning only. After 2 years of residential cleaning, Rhonda decided to bid on commercial contracts. In 1999 she landed her first janitorial contract with Guilford County. Since the first win, Rhonda bided on and won a number of janitorial contracts with Guilford County. At one time, United provided janitorial service for five Guilford County buildings. United Janitorial currently provides cleaning service for three Guilford County buildings.

United Janitorial customers include the City Of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina at Greensboro, Avedas Investment Unlimited, Family Corporation, SSMA, and residential.

DBM Specialties
P.O. Box 49053, Greensboro, NC 27419
336.545.1819

One of Guilford County’s most diligent vendors is DBM Specialties founded by Deborah Moody (white female). After working for Hilton Hotels in sales for a number of years, Deborah decided that it was time for a career change. Because of her expertise in sales, she decided that the advertising promotional business was her niche. DBM Specialties has been in business for seventeen plus years. DBM Specialties has been supplying many Guilford County departments with specialty items since it was founded. When it comes to customer satisfaction and delivering top quality products on time, DBM is at the top of the list.

DBM Specialties customers include A&T State University, Food Lion, North Carolina State University at Raleigh, statewide Community College Systems, and JM Pleasants Co.

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