In the ever-evolving small business landscape, reaching the 25th anniversary of operation is a significant achievement. The Fenway Group, a reliable team in commercial printing that has since expanded into design, signage, promotional products, and more, has done just that! From its humble beginnings to its current standing, the Fenway Group’s 25th anniversary journey is a testament to perseverance, innovation, and unwavering dedication to client success. The Fenway Group celebrates this remarkable milestone with excitement and gratitude for what the next 25 years will bring.
FOUNDING STORY
Back in 1999, the Fenway Group emerged from a small print shop to a booming company that has expanded its services exponentially. Throughout our 25 years we have added more than ten new services. Some of these include creative, swag and promotional products, direct mail, video production, large-format printing, and many more! Todd Nugent, our vice president, and Rick Sands, president, reflected on the opening days. Todd said, “We took a bold step and turned a $300,000 venture into a thriving business within just three months, despite days of no pay and long hours.” Our founders were driven by a passion for the industry, innovation, and aim for excellence. With a keen entrepreneurial spirit, they sought to not only navigate the market but to redefine it. By fostering a culture of creativity and risk taking, they encouraged entrepreneurial thinking at every level of the organization. This commitment to innovation, coupled with their relentless pursuit of excellence, set the stage for the Fenway Group’s remarkable journey, propelling them to the forefront of their industry.
Inspired by his office location on Brookline Ave., nestled in the Fenway Park neighborhood, Rick introduced the name, Fenway Printing. As our service offerings broadened, Rick explained, “We started to get away from print and design and focused on becoming a marketing communication team that has everything in-house, so then we settled on the Fenway Group.”
The Fenway Group’s journey has been punctuated by numerous memorable moments and achievements. Todd recalled, “Working all night and finishing mammoth projects in the early hours of the morning and witnessing the growth of our employees have been truly fulfilling experiences.” In an interview with Todd that turned into a trip down memory lane, he recalled one night when he fell asleep at the office, waiting for 500 books, each with 300 pages to finish printing. The devotion to each project was, and still is, unmatched.
EVOLVING THE FENWAY GROUP
Over the past 25 years, the printing industry has undergone significant evolution. Rick highlighted the impact of management information systems automation noting, “Automation changed the way of thinking and how we do it.” Leveraging technology over the last 25 years has enabled the Fenway Group to enhance quality, consistency, creativity, and more like never before. Rick continued, “By integrating new customer relationship management systems, we’ve expanded our services and embraced automation to drive efficiency and excellence. From our printing roots to our expanded services, today, we are grateful for all the new solutions and opportunities we offer our clients.”
While technology and innovation have been a key player in the Fenway Group’s evolution, what has set us apart since our first days is our unwavering commitment to personalized service and problem-solving. Todd emphasized, “We prioritize genuine relationships with clients and go above and beyond to deliver tailored solutions.” We’re proud of our remarkable retention rate, with many clients who started with us 25 years ago still with us today. This speaks volumes about our customer-centric approach. Our client commitment, coupled with our willingness to offer comprehensive services, has led to these high retention rates and invaluable referrals, making the Fenway Group’s 25th Anniversary even more special.
We’ve had the pleasure of working with many amazing clients who have generously shared their positive experiences with us. One testimonial that speaks volumes reads, “Your attention to detail, professionalism, and commitment to quality were evident throughout the entire process. From the initial consultation to the final installation, every step was executed with precision and expertise. Not only did you meet our expectations, but you exceeded them in every aspect with every curve ball we threw your way.”
A client story from the early days that stood out to Todd was related to the special printing of a Bob Dylan lyrics book. This 900-page book took about a year to complete and kept the Fenway Group hard at work! We printed 8,000 books for the United States, 5,000 for Europe, and even got 50 of them signed. Todd touched on the sentimental story of a customer who lost their book in Hurricane Katrina. The Fenway Group was contacted and got the customer a new copy of the sold-out book. Stories such as these make our jobs so unique and rewarding!
NAVIGATING 25 YEARS
Throughout our journey, we have encountered various economic challenges and industry downturns. Rick reflected on the hardest moment of “sending everybody home in March 2020 and dealing with the helplessness.” During this time, Todd and Rick were forced to make decisions for the company all while keeping their employees at the forefront of their actions. Despite the challenges throughout the years, the Fenway Group’s resilience has shone through as we continue to adapt, innovate, and emerge stronger from every obstacle we face. Rick concluded, “I think we bounced back better; It’s more about strength and success rather than measuring exclusively through growth.”
Looking ahead, Rick shared his long-term goals; he emphasized, “It’s about the journey, and I love what I do.” The Fenway Group remains committed to leveraging technology, fostering client relationships, and embracing all employees to create a positive work environment.
THANK YOU
As the Fenway Group celebrates its 25th anniversary, we want to thank everyone, from our loyal customers to our dedicated colleagues and friends and everyone who ha been a part of our journey. From our humble beginnings to our current thriving team, the Fenway Group’s journey exemplifies our values: communication, respect, creativity, integrity, and precision. Here’s to 25 years of achievements, milestones, and boundless possibilities for the Fenway Group’s 25th Anniversary!