KAL KARDOUS
President, Charlotte Copy Data

     Kal Kardous graduated from college in Wisconsin and moved to Chicago, hoping to land the executive position in business that he wanted. When he didn’t get offered a position with a grand salary, a large corner office, and generous expense account, he decided he better take anything to pay his bills.  He ended up taking a sales position “peddling” copy machines. And, you know what? He was very good at it. He developed a strong customer base. His boss at the time asked him whether he would consider moving with the company to Rock Hill. They traveled to Rock Hill to scout the opportunities. However, Kal was less than enthusiastic about the prospect. When they were traveling back to Chicago and they spent the night in Charlotte before boarding a plane the next day, Kal asked his boss, “Why not Charlotte?” His boss dismissed him at that moment saying there was too much competition already here.

     A short while later, his boss reconsidered and White Printing Company opened in Charlotte. White Printing Company was sold in 1968 to a larger company. Kal worked for that company for several months before becoming disenchanted by the shift in the business culture. This new company wanted to cut costs (service) for the sake of the “bottom line.” Kal didn’t agree and felt service should be the heart of the business. He decided to open his own business.

     When he went, business plan in hand, to his banker to request a business loan, the banker asked him if he knew that there were twenty-one copier companies already in existence in Charlotte? Kal corrected him by telling him that there were actually thirty-three copier companies and that he knew that he could outperform his competition and distinguish his company through service.  A few years later, an advertising executive suggested that Kal advertise his business on the radio and record his own message for those commercials. Thus was born Charlotte Copy Data’s catch phrase “my accent is on quality.”  Since then, Charlotte Copy Data has expanded its business to locations in Hickory, Winston-Salem, Rock Hill, Greensboro, Gastonia, and Greenville.  The secrets of his success as an entrepreneur: staying focused on the core business goals and maintaining excellent service and support.

      Head Table: David Anderson, Don Esposito, Debby Millhouse, Winn Maddrey, Kurt Waldthausen, Smith Foushee; Invocation: John Stedman.

     Song: Thomas Moore, Visiting Rotarians & Guests: Doug Booth; Health & Happiness: Jamie McLawhorn, Club Ed: Thomas Moore.

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KENNETH  R. HARRIS
2002-2003 Distinguished Rotarian

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