Rob Van Velzen
“My Dad is an amazing numbers guy,” became one of Markham’s Top 100 employers. doubled the company’s footprint and says Jamieson. “He knew how to target and Then, bad news struck. confidently moved next door into 40,000 retain paid subscribers, and he also knew the Cancer took the young, brilliant van square feet. value of those subscribers to advertisers.” Velzen in the prime of his life and at the “The new space gave Marketing Kitchen a blank canvas to really define a culture of It was during this time, in 1993, that van height of his company’s success, in 2011. The innovation and creativity,” says Jamieson. It is Velzen’s oldest son and Jamieson’s brother, business was sold to The Data Group of the first direct marketing production Rob van Velzen, founded Fulfillment Companies and his sister went along as part company in Canada to install the Konica Solutions Advantage Inc., later known as The of the deal. AccurioJet KM-1 variable inkjet press, a game FSA Group. “That was a double whammy for me,” changer allowing infinite flexibility and FSA started as a small fulfilment company Jamieson recounts. “Not only did I lose a creativity for clients. on Hood Rd. in Markham which soon became brother, but I lost an amazing boss and Marketing Kitchen’s impressive client one of the largest and most innovative mentor. Over the years, he personally roster includes companies such Tangerine marketing companies in Canada. A key mentored a lot of aspiring entrepreneurs.” Bank, Wayfair, Canadian Cancer Society and moment in its growth was in 2001 when the Rob van Velzen was awarded the Anthony Plan Canada, to name a few. company boldly moved into a large, stylish Roman Award posthumously by the Now with 40 full time staff members, and state-of-the-art facility on Rodick Road. Markham Board of Trade. Jamieson expects Rob van Velzen 2020 to be the best knew the optics year yet. “Direct would pay off, and “You can’t start a business without taking risks,” she says, referring mail is alive and soon many Fortune back to those entrepreneurial characteristics, “and you can’t make thriving, it’s targeted 500 companies came a success of it without resilience and perseverance.” and has a high level on board, and the of engagement”, she business was says. “Unlike our employing over 200 people. inbox, our mail box is uncluttered.” Jamieson knew her new role within a large “My brother was a huge visionary,” says What’s the secret to this family’s business corporate environment would not suit her. “So along comes the third entrepreneur in Jamieson. “He could easily see two years success? Both Jamieson and the elder van into the future and rarely were his predictions the family, and probably not the last,” Velzen agree that you need to know your she jokes. wrong. He embraced change, he was a quick market and never lose confidence in your In 2014 she founded Marketing Kitchen by decision maker and he never sweat the business. Stay hungry and never get small stuff.” purchasing the assets of a small direct mail comfortable, since anything and everything Jamieson herself worked at FSA for 15 company whose owners wanted to retire. She could change on a dime. years. She became the firm’s #1 sales person moved it to Markland Road in Markham and Most importantly, take care of your staff. and fell in love with the direct marketing the business grew faster than Jamieson could “If you treat your team well and they enjoy industry. FSA had become an industry leader have imagined. She hit her 5-year goal in less where they work, everything else just falls with annual revenues of $19 million and than 2 ½ years. On her 5th anniversary, she into place.”
Markham VOICE Winter 2020
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