Business Name: PaperPack, Inc        

Location: 605 Turner Chapel Road SE, Rome, GA 30161

Hours: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Contact Information: Phone: 706/368-9162; email: orders@paperpackinc.com

What is your primary business/service offered? PaperPack is a distributor of industrial paper products, packaging products and packaging machinery, a creator of promotional products and garments, and a producer of direct printed boxes, mailers, and bags.

How long have you been in business? PaperPack was created on July 9, 1999. We have been in business over 27 years.

What inspired you to start this business or what inspired the founders to begin this business?  My former employer began shrinking its number of locations, consolidating its distribution warehouses into larger metropolitan areas, causing it to lose focus more and more on local communities and the industry there, resulting in longer lead times and delayed deliveries, among other problems. My largest customer saw this beginning to happen to his orders and he informed me that he was going to transfer all the business he did with me to another more locally focused supplier, unless I could guarantee him I would stay focused on his business. That meant whatever I needed to do employment-wise to make sure he received his quality goods at a reasonable price, on time, and in good condition. Out of that dilemma in an industry that I loved, came the opportunity to start my own business, and I prayerfully resigned from my employer and launched into the battle and the adventure.

How does your business give back and support the Rome-Floyd community? PaperPack supports a number of local ministries, community outreaches, and other non-profits that work and flourish here locally. Included among these are: Unity Christian School, Rome Area Prayer Breakfast, Rome Floyd Chamber of Commerce, William Davies Shelter, Berry College, and the Floyd County Sheriff’s Dept.  

Why is it important to you and your business to be a chamber member? PaperPack identifies the Rome Floyd Chamber as the local organization with its attention best focused on local happenings in the business community, both for existing entities as well as newcomers and prospects to NW Georgia. We have experienced the Chamber’s various functions giving us introductions to and fellowship with people and companies around us. Our membership in the Chamber allows us to enjoy camaraderie with other businesses in Rome and Floyd County.

What makes your business stand out amongst the rest? I believe PaperPack gets the attention of the community because of several factors that help it to stand out:

-    Family-owned and operated business

-    Good, friendly people in our business to deal with 

-    The breadth and quality of our products and services

-    The longevity of PaperPack and the combined years of our experience

-    Our commitment to customer service

-    Bottom line is our products and services are affordable

We all know owning/running a business can be hard. What is a recent highlight that shows the hard work is worth it? Bob Johnson, a local businessman, came out of retirement to recreate strategic business for which his former customers were asking. He chose to bring his talents and that business to PaperPack. I have tried in my business through highs and lows to be a trustworthy owner. It is a highlight to have Bob selling for PaperPack.

What is the best business advice that you have ever been given? I remember the 3 best pieces and the 1 bad piece of business advice given to me in my career:

•    Good - You can get a great life and great adventure out of business, but don’t let your business get you!

•    Good - In the difficult times, which periodically come to all businesses, don’t give up and don’t forget that you have worked very hard to create something that has value to a lot of people!

•    Good – Like the gazelle and the lion every day on the plains in Africa, when the sun begins to rise, this businessman better be moving a little faster than those who want to eat his lunch.

•    Bad – In your business, never talk about politics or religion; that is bad advice because, through the years, so many customers have, in the first of our conversations, brought up these two subjects to me, wanting to identify, discuss, and be refreshed by eternal truths.  I want to do business with as many folks as possible and that does not exclude me from also wanting to affirm them in their faith, their family, and their freedom.   

What's next for your business? I am leading Lauren Poplin, our youngest daughter, into a major management role in PaperPack. She is my heir apparent for leading PaperPack into the future. She is identifying the many ways she can aide our team to experience success as salespeople, customer service, sales support, procurement , operations, accounting, fulfillment, and specialty imaging.