Local business booms after expanding services
Business has improved at Accuracy plus on University Drive since it expanded services.
By Sarah McNamara
Staff Reporter

When Barbara Gant realized the revenues of her small business continued to fall each year she knew she needed to find a replacement. Upon receiving a $75,000 small business loan she expanded her secretarial and resume service into a mailing and parcel business. Now, she says, business has improved.

“It was the next best thing,” Gant said. “They really do complement each other.”

For 16 years, Accuracy Plus provided services such as professional typing, printing and resume development and consulting, Gant said. But since the completion of the expansion project, Gant said the business now offers a range of services from renting private mailboxes and shipping, to passport photos and gift-wrapping. Gant, the founder and owner of Accuracy Plus and Mailboxes Plus near Jons Grille on S. University Drive, said the upgrades have improved business since they were completed in June.

Gant said she hopes her client base will continue to broaden since the expansion. With a new state-of-the-art computer network that allows the business to work in cooperation with FedEx and UPS, Gant said she expects the convenience will bring in more students.

Alyson Scholz used the store to make copies for the first time and said she she was impressed with the service and the convenience.

“I think too often students don’t know about or take advantage of the resources that are right around us,” said Scholz, a junior fashion promotions major.

Katelyn Patterson, a junior advertising and public relations major and employee of Accuracy Plus said, “I think everything that has been added to the store can only help us to improve. The reactions we’ve received have been encouraging.”

Patterson, who has worked for Gant for two years, said she has gained a lot of experience through her position. Patterson said she sets aside two days a week to do public relations work for the business by contacting prospective clients. She also said Gant gives her opportunities to do a lot of networking for Accuracy Plus by attending business conferences and seminars.

Gant will hire students to work for her simply because they are still interested in learning and they give more effort because they know how they would want to be treated if they came in for help.

“They also have a fresh perspective and a lot of our marketing, general business and customer service ideas come from the students,” Gant said.

As for future expansion, Gant said she plans to learn every aspect of the business to provide good quality service to her customers.

“I love what we do,” Gant said. “I have the absolute best time here.”