Printing service and training center celebrates 6 months

It is hard to believe Millbrook Office Support and Training Center has only been open six months. What started out as a custom print shop or “boutique” and a computer training center is growing into much more. According to Dennis Tomlin their plan in the beginning “was to become the only Adobe Authorized Training Center in Alabama, a Microsoft training partner, and a truly custom print shop”, but it seems more opportunities are coming their way.

A few weeks ago they began negotiations with the University of Alabama to become one of only four state insurance exam testing centers in the state. The other four are located in Huntsville, Birmingham, Mobile, and now Millbrook. Starting on October 23, current and potential insurance agents located in central Alabama will now take at least five different insurance examinations with them in order to obtain their state insurance license. “Through this process we learned from Denise Maddox the coordinator at UA, insurance agents must pass exams if they want to sell policies for fire protection, life insurance, and other types of policies”. “This really excites us on two different levels” Dennis says. “The UA contract will help offset business operating expenses which are so important with the current economical turbulence but it also creates a win-win-win situation for all of us. Approximately fifty five potential clients that may need our other services will walk through our doors each week; agents needing business cards, forms, copies, promotional items, and our other many services. But it also brings fifty five people to Millbrook forty nine weeks per year, that otherwise may not have been coming to our community. They will be here for three hours or more. They will need lunch, gas, snacks… they will need the services our community offers. We are very excited for all of us about this opportunity.”
Millbrook Office Support’s other services have also grown in this short period of time. They have become a store front and soon a web front for other small business in our area. “We knew from the start we wanted to provide promotional items to other businesses and organizations but what we didn’t realize there were local small businesses working out of their homes creating many of these products. We have teamed up with a local jeweler, the Alabama clay sculptor, an engraver, an Alabama author, and a hand carved pen set maker, along with other unique craftsman located right here in the river region. We are all trying to make a living and working together, I believe we can all succeed even in these turbulent times.”

Not all of their products are created local. They have become an Amazon affiliate allowing books, software, unique gifts, and much more to be purchased through their web site. “It only made sense to join up with Amazon. They offer the books and software we teach in our classes. With our affiliation they stock the products saving us up front costs and our clients can order them as needed.

Millbrook Office Support was also a participant in the Chamber’s recent business expo. “It was a great opportunity for us. We were able to talk one-on-one with so many people and businesses from Millbrook and the surrounding area that had no idea we were here. And talk to other businesses that we had no idea where in Millbrook. Businesses that can do everything from repair dents in your vehicle, decorate your home, beauty products and so very much more. We were amazed how many unique small businesses were here in Millbrook. After the public was gone, we found ourselves talking to each other and sharing ideas on how to better serve our customers, cut expenses, affordable advertising strategies, and general networking with each other. An expo where small businesses can come together and gain exposure to each other and the public is such an awesome event. We can’t wait until next year’s expo to see how much more Millbrook has grown.”

Millbrook Office Support and Training Center represents the new small business model with the old “small town spirit”, with a high-tech flavor. The technology they bring to Millbrook represents the future of our town. Their willingness to work hard toward their own American dream when economist say they shouldn’t is incredible but it is their understanding of the importance of community that represents the American spirit our country and what our community was founded on. The founders of Millbrook new as a community we could do it. Millbrook Office Support also believes as a community working together we can do it.

For more information on computer classes or their other printing services visit http://millbrooktrainingcenter.com/
http://millbrookofficesupport.com/ or call 334-285-6808.