Lightning-Fast Speeds, High Quality and Unbeatable Service
Matt and Josh Stephens, brothers and co-founders of Sticker Blitz based in Warren, are paving a bright, innovative path in the sticker printing industry. Their journey is inspirational, and they say it’s “built on grit, willpower and determination.” The brothers’ combined education focus – one in illustration, the other in computer science – has created the perfect innovative edge to help them succeed.
Their dedication, tenacity and hard work have earned them notable awards including Best Small Business for Macomb County 2023, Michigan 50 Companies to Watch 2024 and the Inc. 5000 List of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America 2024. Stephens notes, “These honors reflect our commitment to excellence and innovation, driving us to reach even greater milestones.”
Without doubt, these brothers and their team of 40 will continue to bring new and exciting advances to the field, and during that process, they will continue to offer the highest-quality printing, unmatched customer service and lightning-fast speeds.
Focus: How did two brothers decide to start a sticker business?
Stephens: Sticker Blitz was born to provide customers with a fast and easy way to order custom digital printing. We embarked on this adventure in 2020, driven by the belief that the conventional approach to printing had significant room for improvement. Our journey began after experiencing frustrating delays with other printers when we needed quick turnaround times for our own sticker projects. Determined to make things better, we took printing into our own hands, ensuring speed and quality for every order.
Focus: The “experience” is an important aspect of Sticker Blitz’s mission. Tell us about that.
Stephens: We offer an experience that’s nothing short of ridiculous, in the best way possible. While others play it safe, we’re pushing boundaries. Our love for technology, exceptional quality and fast results inspired us to develop our own proprietary soft- ware. We’re driven by the belief that everyone should expect more from custom printing, and we’re just getting started on delivering that. While we’ve taken many small steps to reach this point, trust us when we say we’re far from done.
Focus: How has developing your own proprietary software impacted your workflow and business as a whole?
Stephens: We’re genuinely committed to technology, which drove us to develop the proprietary software, making it possible for us to offer unbeatable offerings like 10k units printed next day. Plus, we offer free, unlimited proofs that come back at lightning speed, and absolutely no minimums.
Focus: In your opinion, what’s the best way for a company to ensure successful growth?
Stephens: To offer a 10-star experience to every customer. We have experienced exponential growth – all organically. We let our customers’ experiences speak for themselves.
Focus: What have you done to promote Sticker Blitz?
Stephens: We incentivize our customers to spread the word by offering discounts for referrals, creating a win-win situation for both the referrer and the new customer.
We also actively support our local communities by participating in events like Manufacturing Day and donating stickers to various causes and organizations such as the Shades of Pink Foundation and Connect Macomb. These efforts help us reach new customers and build strong relationships with our existing clients and communities, fostering a sense of loyalty and trust in the Sticker Blitz brand.
Focus: How do you keep your team members happy and working well with one another?
Stephens: At Sticker Blitz, we keep our team happy and motivated by providing a great work culture. We value work-life balance, celebrate milestones and always acknowledge hard work and achievements. We listen and adapt to meet the needs of our employees. We provide gourmet snacks in our cafe and host pizza parties for fun.
Focus: In what ways has your SBAM membership/involvement improved your business acumen?
Stephens: Our membership and involvement with SBAM have been beneficial in several ways. SBAM provides valuable resources and educational opportunities that help us stay informed. The networking events connect us with other business owners, allowing us to share insights and learn from their experiences. And SBAM’s advocacy efforts have given us a better understanding of the regulatory environment and how to navigate it.
Focus: Share a few important pieces of advice you can offer to other small business owners.
Stephens: There are a few things we live by as business owners:
- Don’t go it alone. Surround yourself with the right team and a support network.
- Be Product-focused. Make an investment in systems and processes for the long-term. If you’re only looking at “the now,” it won’t last.
- Focus on the process. Don’t do something that is dependent on one person in the organization. People come and go, especially in start-ups.
- Be Slow to Hire. It’s too easy to get bloated. Do things yourself until it’s painful, and you know that you definitely need and can afford the help.
- Keep your head down and stay focused. Don’t let worries overwhelm you.
By Bona Van Dis; originally published in SBAM’s September/October 2024 issue of FOCUS magazine
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