Franchisee Spotlight: Rick Stallings of Safeguard

Rick Stallings has been a Safeguard distributor for over three decades, first opening up shop in his hometown of Columbus, Georgia in 1986.

Since then, he’s continued expansion throughout the Southeast, both purchasing other Safeguard locations as well as acquiring similar business concepts from outside the Safeguard network. Today, he owns printing and promotional products businesses in Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and Louisiana, with no stop in sight.

Most recently, Stallings purchased the established Safeguard office in Kenner, Louisiana, which serves New Orleans, from fellow longtime distributor Kathleen Wilkin.

Elaborate on your background:

I have been a Safeguard distributor since 1986 when I opened in Columbus, Georgia. About fifteen years ago I began purchasing other Safeguard offices throughout the Southeast, as well as competitor businesses and have acquired about another 10 to 15 locations in Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia and now Louisiana. On December 31, 2016 I purchased the Kenner, Louisiana Safeguard office, which serves New Orleans, from Kathleen Wilkin, who’s owned that office since 1993.

Why did you purchase the New Orleans Safeguard?

I think there’s great opportunity in the greater New Orleans area, even beyond what Kathleen has done with her Safeguard. We have an established customer base, but they largely rely on us for check printing. I think there is a huge market to introduce our existing clients to our promotional product services

Why do you think that the Kenner office will be successful under your company's leadership?

We have the infrastructure and the technology to take this location to the next level.

What’s next for you and your business?

We’ve been successful acquiring business both within the Safeguard network and outside of it. So that is a major part of our growth strategy, and I plan to continue to take over offices in the region. I am always on the lookout for great opportunities to continue to expand. Eventually, I’d like to sell my business back to the corporate team and retire.

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