Here is a copy of the first press release written by local writer Stacey Corriveau.

Oliver & Just Ink Services Abbotsford in late October 2001.

Just opened ….. Just Ink

Local youth follows family path of entrepreneurship

 

Enjoying steady work with the Mission school board as a teacher’s assistant, Oliver Pattison felt that something might be missing.  Sure, he got summers off, and had secure employment in a field that he had trained for … but Oliver was keeping an eye on his Dad’s new business venture.

2 years ago, Oliver’s father opened Just Ink Services in Kelowna, then a home-based business that offered a low-cost refilling service for computer printer cartridges.  Last year, the company moved to a store front, and Oliver’s Dad began hiring staff.  Soon, Oliver took leave of his job, and set off to explore the possibilities of entrepreneurship for himself.

A few months ago, Oliver opened the Abbotsford location of Just Ink, in a store-front across from the post office on Montrose Avenue.  Skipping the home-based step that his father undertook, the 26 year old entrepreneur says that operating from a commercial storefront location has resulted in extra traffic…so much so that Oliver is ahead of where his father’s operation was in its infancy.  At this rate, Oliver can expect to hire staff sooner that his Kelowna counterpart.

But for now, running Just Ink means long hours for Oliver, who deals with the clients, handles the marketing of the company, plus the refilling of the printer cartridges themselves, and also delivers the filled cartridges to his growing clientele.

This couldn’t be a better time for Just Ink to open.  With computer use at an all time high business owners and individuals seeking to save money, and an increased awareness in the importance of recycling, Just Ink has positioned itself to succeed.  To add to this a money back guarantee policy, free pickup and delivery, a central location, and a 6 day opening, and Just Ink will be Abbotsford’s next success story… While Oliver enjoys the adventure of his life. 

Just Ink Services Abbotsford 2001

Tony & Oliver Pattison, Just Ink Services Kelowna 2001

Oliver Pattison

Once upon a time ….

The beginning of the BLOG appropriately starts at the beginning of Just Ink. This story is the recollection of Tony Pattison who opened the first Just Ink.

When Just Ink first opened on January 1st, 2000 in Kelowna it was an in-home business and things were pretty slow.  About 3 months in I had a phone call from the local newspaper asking for details about the business.  I told them it was a recycling business - primarily refilling computer ink cartridges. They asked if they could do an article about the business, and of course I accepted and asked when, they replied “right now”!  This was on a Monday morning and 20 minutes later a reporter and photographer arrived on my doorstep.  They interviewed me and took some photos of me in action - filling cartridges in my basement workshop.

When Wednesday morning arrived the phone rang nonstop and there was one doorbell ring after another...I wondered what on earth was going on. At last business seemed to be picking up and so I asked one customer where he had heard of me. The morning newspaper had featured a full page article with photos and a detailed account of my new recycling business.  From that day on business grew and boomed, so much so that within 6 months I had to find a storefront location in order to handle all the activity and parking.  Now, 12 years and 3 stores later, business is still great.

Just Ink Founder

Tony Pattison - currently retired and enjoying the "Sweet Life"

Oliver Pattison