Cartridge World Named August Small Business of the Month
Yellow, magenta, cyan and black may be the colors this business works with, but the best color to describe it is green.
Refills Toner Cartridges
The business is Cartridge World, 4921 State Road 26 East, Suite 600, 765/448-4500, refill@cwlaf.com. It refills and remanufactures toner cartridges so they can be reused.
“We are a green company in that we save cartridges from the landfill,” says franchise owner Darlene Eikenberry. “Each laser cartridge takes about a gallon of petroleum to produce and 450 years to decompose in the landfill.”
She launched the business in December 2005. This month, it’s earned the Greater Lafayette Commerce Small Business of the Month Award.
Free Pickup, Delivery
Cartridge World, which employs eight, is also a winner with other businesses, because refilling a laser or ink jet cartridge saves 40 percent to 60 percent off the cost of a new one, Eikenberry says. “We are 100-percent guaranteed, and we offer free pickup and delivery for local businesses.”
The business also was among the first to apply and qualify through Greater Lafayette Commerce for the Clear-Blue-Green Business Certification Program, which recognizes environmentally sound business practices.
Born and raised in Flora and an Indiana University graduate, Eikenberry was a substitute teacher and for nine years, a real estate agent.
“I wanted to have my own business, and I thought a franchise would be the easiest way, because the kinks would already be worked out,” she says. “I read a lot of books about franchises and talked to a lot of franchise owners. Some owners weren’t satisfied, so I stayed away from those.”
Part of her reason for choosing Cartridge World: “I like a bargain, and I thought maybe other people would, too.”
One who does is business owner Jan Nielsen, Allstate Insurance. “Cartridge World is available at the drop of a hat. I use them all the time, and the quality is as high if not higher than original-equipment manufacturers’ cartridges. I have not had a cartridge fail yet.” She uses Cartridge World to supply her office’s five printers, fax and copier.
“I like this business because the people I work with are happy,” Eikenberry says. “They can save money and help the environment.”
Buys Empty Cartridges from Nonprofits
Cartridge World is a generous community partner, too. “We have fundraiser programs to buy empty cartridges from nonprofits, schools, several Scout troupes and others,” she says.
“We also financially support school auctions, after-proms, a local soccer team, Habitat for Humanity, Red Cross and others.”
Books, Cards Her Hobbies
Now that she’s finished reading books about franchises, Eikenberry, the mother of three grown sons, enjoys reading cozy murder mysteries. And she’s a card player. “Euchre is my favorite, but I will play whatever anyone likes to.”
Located in the shopping plaza near Meijer, Cartridge World is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cartridge World will be honored at 5 p.m., Wednesday, August 4, at a reception hosted by Lafayette Savings Bank at its annex building. Greater Lafayette Commerce members are invited to attend.
Criteria for Small Business Winners Businesses nominated for the Small Business of the Month award must be: § Privately owned § In business under current ownership at least three years § A Greater Lafayette Commerce member § Staffed by 50 or fewer employees § Involved in the community To nominate a business, click here. Clear-Blue-Green Business Certification Interested in qualifying for the Clear-Blue-Green Certification Program? Click here for details.
__________________________________________________________________________
Proudly Sponsored by Lafayette Savings Bank!
