28. Is “Print Dead” in Franchising Today?
Bought his AlphaGraphics franchise 2 days BEFORE the 2008 crash. Everyone said “print is dead.” 18 years later, he’s doubled the business. Here’s how Dan Sher made it work.
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🎙 Episode #28 - Dan Sher bought an existing AlphaGraphics franchise in October 2008 — two days before the market collapsed. He came from a PR agency background, had a six-year-old at home, and was betting on a business that "everyone" said had no future. The odds were stacked against him. And yet, 18 years later, he's doubled the business in employees, revenue, and square footage.
In this episode, Dan shares how he found the right opportunity, what gave him the confidence to move forward when others doubted the industry, and how he turned two of the worst economic moments in recent history into opportunities for his business to grow.
⏱ Video Chapters
0:00 - Why Dan Said "Print Is Dead" Before Buying a Print Franchise
1:23 - From PR Agency Director to Business Owner: His Origin Story
2:40 - What He Refused to Repeat from Agency Life (And What He Required)
5:14 - How He Found the Right Location (It Wasn't the Obvious One)
9:01 - Validation: How Talking to Every Chicagoland Owner Gave Him Confidence
11:35 - Two Days After Closing, the Market Crashed — Here's What He Did
14:22 - The SBA Loan Clause That Protected Him When Others Got Called
17:50 - What AlphaGraphics Actually Does (One-Stop Marketing Partner)
23:30 - Doubling the Business: How Automation Changed Everything
26:27 - The Covid Move That Turned Out to Be a Smart Business Decision
26:19 - The Power of the Franchise Network (And Why He Uses Every Bit of It)
35:50 - Competing Against Other AlphaGraphics Owners — His Take
37:18 - Why He Chose to Stay a Single Location (It's a Strategy, Not a Limit)
38:46 - Advice for Anyone Thinking About Franchise Ownership
🔗 Resources & Mentions
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