|
home / Business
More than First Impressions: Mark Molus
Shelley Gillespie
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Working in Maricopa, Part 8
Mark Molus recently launched a new business, Maricopa Screen Printing, which opened on Papago Road in January. His other company, 1st Impressions Ink, which provides printed promotional products, is still in business. During these difficult economic times, this business expansion says a lot about Mark Molus and his business acumen.
Then again, meeting Mark you’d have no idea he was once the president of a profitable aerospace company with 2,500 employees. His company produced insulation systems for aircraft and competed with heavy hitters like Boeing. After selling that company, he tried a stint as a home inspector while he still lived in California.
After years of involvement with purchasing promotional products, Mark had an understanding of the business. When he started in 2005, he did not print or produce the items on his premises. His business grew because he has always taken pride in exceptional customer service and forging a relationship with each client. Indeed, he says he has fewer clients now, but his sales are larger.
Now that he has opened Maricopa Screen Printing, he has the capability to produce screen-printed materials onsite. With this expansion, he eventually anticipates hiring sales representatives and sending them around the valley. He posits the possibility of franchising some of his approaches to research and marketing.
His business success, however, is partly a result of his community involvement. He just finished a term as President of the Board of the Maricopa Chamber of Commerce and he is still serving on the Board. This all took a lot of time, he admits, but he is still gung-ho in his involvement with the Chamber as he also chairs the Chamber’s marketing
committee.
Moving to Maricopa
Credit the Molus Family move to Maricopa to his wife, Rebecca, and daughter, Kirsten. On January 1, 2005, Rebecca was reading a magazine showing homes in Arizona. After 20 years in San Clemente, California, Mark agreed to look in Arizona. He did not intend moving, but Kirsten was most enthusiastic. “When are we moving?” she queried him.
Rebecca suggested Mark’s brother might find Arizona of interest as well, so he came along to see, too. When homes weren’t available in Surprise and the neighborhood disappointed them in Laveen, they noticed Maricopa mentioned on the Ryland Homes flyer. On the long drive to Maricopa, they almost turned back, but saw a billboard that led them into town. Once in Maricopa, they “really were impressed.”
On February 13, 2005 – Mark has a strong memory for dates – his family, including his brother, saw the homes in The Villages. “We’ll take two,” was their reaction. They gave the sales reps their earnest money and waited for their homes to be built. A long rainy season delayed their homes’ completion, so his daughter researched rentals and they moved to Cobblestone while their homes were being finished.
“This feels like home,” was their reaction to their first night -- July 21, 2005 -- in Maricopa.
As a family, they have invested their time and energy in the community. Kirsten, a Maricopa High School sophomore, plans to play on the Varsity softball team. Rebecca and Mark are active in fundraising for Against Abuse, as they were for a similar domestic violence program in California. Rebecca has served on the Maricopa Planning and Zoning Commission as well as the Fire Board.
Destinies meeting
Mark and Rebecca had known each other when she was only 14 and he was 19. Mark even attended Rebecca’s sister’s wedding. Years went by, Mark was married and later became a widower.
At a gas station in California, Rebecca saw someone she was sure was Mark, but didn’t get a chance to say hello. She tracked Mark down, much to the consternation of her, then, boyfriend. Through calls to her sister and Mark’s brother, Rebecca found Mark. They met for the first time in ten years, talked, started dating, and she quickly broke up with her boyfriend.
At Mark’s home for the first time, Rebecca was commandeered by Kirsten, then 11, to make friendship bracelets. After Kirsten and Rebecca had bonded, Mark and Rebecca “had a comfort feeling.” Their families knew each other and the connection was strong.
It turned out he hadn’t been the one at the gas station, but by then, it didn’t matter. He hadn’t been looking for a “new mother” for Kirsten, but he found Rebecca. They married on Valentine’s Day, 2002.
Together, they happily found Maricopa and brought their positive energies. This is home.
|