Springfield-based Pearson-Kelly Office Products owners Byron Pearson and Mike Kelly have parted ways, leaving the company in Kelly's hands.
"We got to a point where the shares became available, and I elected to buy out his shares in the company so that he could pursue (other interests)," Kelly said of Pearson. Kelly added that Byron and Lisa Pearson, who founded Pearson-Kelly Office Products in 2002, were the only employees to leave the company.
As part of the buyout, Kelly and the Pearsons agreed not to disclose financial details of the deal.
Kelly, president of the company and now the full owner, said he will keep the Pearson-Kelly Office Products name because of its recognition in the community.
On May 27, the Pearsons started a new company called PearsoNet, 2137 W. Kingsley Ave.
Lisa Pearson, who also owns Lisa's Bookkeeping and Office Services, said that while it was hard to leave Pearson-Kelly behind, PearsoNet will allow the business owners to slow down their workload.
"We've put so many hours in over the last 10 years," she said. "We just want to enjoy our life and do what we know how to do, providing customers with great service.
"I think our focus isn't going to be so much on aggressive growth"
PearsoNet provides connectivity and networking on copiers, printers and multifunction machines.
Kelly said the 17-employee Pearson-Kelly Office Products, an office equipment sales and service company, is planning to expand into other markets in the future, but he declined to say which ones.
Pearson-Kelly posted 2010 revenues of roughly $2 million and is shooting for a 20 percent increase in fiscal 2011, Kelly said.
Pearson-Kelly was named a finalist for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce's W. Curtis Strube Small Business of the Year Award in 2008 and 2009.[[In-content Ad]]
