John Arnold, owner, Springfield Stamp & Engraving

Springfield Stamp & Engraving was founded in 1993. We’re not part of a franchise. We have about eight employees, including me and my wife, plus our PR representative, Reggie, our Irish setter. Everybody knows Reggie.

How did you get started?

I’ve been doing this since 1963 in Springfield. I started back when I was in high school at a family-run business with my aunt and uncle. From them, I learned how to deal with customers, the values of good service, quality merchandise, hard work and satisfying the customers.

What types of services and products do you provide?

We’re a full-service vinyl, engraving and stamp shop. We do all types of rubber stamps, engraved signs, logo signs, vinyl, banners. We don’t do any printing.

How have your company’s services evolved to meet clients’ needs?

Everybody wants everything right now and not any later than that … so we try to get stuff back to our customers as soon as we can. We will get it out for them. We cater to our customers, because without customers, you don’t have a business.

Where do your customers come from?

We’ve got them in Springfield; we’ve got them in all the surrounding small towns. We’ve got them in Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and we’ve got a few that we’ve gotten off the Internet as far away as California and New York. The company’s Web address is www.springfieldstamp.com.

Of the items you provide, which have the biggest impact on business image for your clients?

It basically all works together. A banner kind of gives your whole business an image. We do a lot of nametags. We can do a full-color nametag, and that gives a more personal basis for my customers with their customers.

What would you say is your most popular product?

Probably our nametags, desk plates, rubber stamps. Everything is just going really good.

How have changes in technology affected your business?

It’s faster, we can get better quality, and it gives customers a lot more choices. Basically, speed, pricing and more choices.

What industry changes do you see on the horizon?

There are changes almost daily as far as new technology and computer programs that make our business easier and more versatile. It also helps to keep customers’ costs down.

Tell us about your family and free-time interests.

My wife Dalenita is a very important part of the business. We have four dogs and a cat. Dalenita’s a workaholic and a perfectionist, so she’s basically our quality control here.

If she sees something she doesn’t like, it’s taken care of. About the only time I have to read anything is (spent) on trade magazines.

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