BASINGSTOKE, England – Susan Paterson and Sean Millard are the owners of the Minuteman Press franchise in Basingstoke, England since October of 2010. In 2025, they celebrated 15 years in business and acquired nearby business Charterlith Printers. Since completing the acquisition, Minuteman Press in Basingstoke has experienced steady growth that has helped them build on their already solid foundation.

15 Years in Business

Reflecting on her 15-year milestone, Susan shares, “Celebrating 15 years at Minuteman Press was meaningful to us because it represented far more than time passing—it marked years of learning, adapting, and earning the trust of our clients. Longevity in any industry comes from consistency, and we are proud that we’ve stayed true to our values while continuing to evolve.”

Susan adds, “The keys to our success have been a commitment to quality, a genuine focus on relationships, and the willingness to innovate rather than stand still. Every challenge over the years has pushed us to become stronger, more resilient, and more intentional about the work we do.”

Prior to Minuteman Press, Susan says, “Before opening Minuteman Press in Basingstoke, my background was rooted in food science and marketing, and Sean ran a large format print company. Those experiences taught us how to run a business, manage people, and deliver consistent service. We chose Minuteman Press because it offered a proven system, strong training, and the ability to build something of our own while still having the support of an established brand. It felt like the right balance between independence and guidance, and it gave us the confidence to take the leap into business ownership.”

Over the years, Susan shares the secrets to the success and longevity of the Basingstoke centre:

• “Expanding our product and service offerings: We’ve continually added new print and promotional products to meet customer demand, giving clients more reasons to rely on us as their one stop shop.
• Strengthening our online and local marketing: Consistent digital marketing, combined with strong local visibility through sponsorship of business and community, has helped us reach new customers and stay top of mind in the community.
• Building relationships: Word of mouth has been one of our biggest growth drivers. By focusing on great service, we’ve built a steady stream of referrals.
• Delivering exceptional customer service: Reliable turnaround times, clear communication, and a personal approach have helped us retain customers and earn repeat business.
• Acquiring Charterlith Printers: The acquisition has helped us grow our client base even further.”

Acquisition Leads to Further Growth

When RVP Mark Jones informed Susan and Sean of the opportunity to acquire Charterlith Printers, they were happy to listen and see if it was the right fit. Susan says, “Mark Jones was instrumental throughout the entire process. He was the one who first identified Charterlith as a strong opportunity and opened the initial conversations with the owner before bringing the proposition to us. From there, Mark guided us every step of the way — coordinating meetings, facilitating discussions, and offering clear, practical advice. His support ensured the acquisition went smoothly from start to finish, and his experience made the whole transition far more seamless than it would have been on our own.”

Susan shares the three biggest reasons she and Sean went ahead with the acquisition:

• “A solid history in the local area, with decades of trust built into the brand: Acquiring a business with that kind of longevity meant we were stepping into a foundation of reliability, established processes, and loyal customers — something that’s incredibly valuable in the print industry.
• An opportunity to expand and diversify our client base: The acquisition allowed us to significantly broaden our reach. Charterlith brought in a wide range of clients across different sectors, giving us the chance to offer more services, strengthen our market presence, and create new long term relationships.
• Immediate access to a well established customer database and detailed order history: This allowed us to understand client needs from day one and continue serving them without disruption. Having that depth of information meant we could maintain continuity for long standing customers while identifying new opportunities to support them with the broader services and capabilities of Minuteman Press. It was a strategic way to grow with confidence and clarity.”

Susan adds, “The transition for customers has been very smooth. Our message was simple: we’re here to continue the service they relied on, with the added benefit of Minuteman Press’ expanded products and capabilities. Bringing Charterlith’s customers into our network has expanded our client base and increased order volume, and many of those customers have already taken advantage of the wider range of services we offer. The additional work has strengthened our presence in the local market and created a solid platform for continued growth.”

Quick Hits

Business Community: “The Basingstoke business community is a diverse network of local entrepreneurs, small and medium businesses. It’s a community where people genuinely want to see each other succeed, and where knowledge sharing and partnership are part of the culture. We support community programmes through sponsorships, and we make a point of sourcing products and services locally whenever possible.”

High-Demand Products: “Our high-demand products include small format products (booklets, leaflets, business cards), cut to shape products, labels, posters, banners, promotional products and signage. Our key growth areas are promotional products, banners, labels and cut-to-shape products.”

Rewards: “On a personal level, owning the business gives us the freedom to shape our own path and build something that reflects our values — quality, reliability, and genuine service. Professionally, the most rewarding part is knowing that our work directly supports other businesses in the community. Whether we’re producing signage, marketing materials, or custom prints, we play a small but meaningful role in helping others grow. Seeing those relationships strengthen over time, and watching our shop become a trusted resource, is what makes this work truly worthwhile. We also take pride in helping people bring their ideas to life. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about a customer contacting us with a concept and leaving with a finished product that represents their brand, their event, or their story.”

Advice for Others: “In the print industry, your biggest advantage isn’t just speed or price — it’s trust. Customers come back because they know you’ll get it right, even when timelines are tight or details are complex. Invest in relationships, learn your clients’ preferences, and become the partner they rely on. When you focus on people first, business naturally follows. Print is constantly evolving — new materials, new technologies, new expectations. Keep learning and don’t be afraid to adapt. Whether it’s exploring new services, upgrading equipment, or refining workflows, staying curious keeps you competitive and your team energized.”