Local Printers Pivot After Pandemic, Strengthen High Point Workforce
A November 12, 2025 press feature highlighted John and Daryn Harrell, owners of Minuteman Press in High Point, and their journey from previous careers into local franchise ownership. The profile underscored how the shop has adapted after the pandemic, invested in workforce development, and plugged into trade shows to support growth that matters to Guilford County residents.
On November 12, 2025 a press release style profile of John and Daryn Harrell described how the couple transitioned from prior careers into ownership of the Minuteman Press franchise in High Point, and how their business strategy responds to changing local economic conditions. The piece framed the Harrells work in areas that are central to small business resilience, including workforce development, attending trade shows at both the regional and national level, and shifting service offerings after the pandemic.
Minuteman Press operates in a sector that has faced long term pressure from digital substitution, but that still supplies essential services for local commerce. The High Point market is a particular demand generator because of its furniture trade events and design industry activity. Trade shows bring tens of thousands of buyers and designers to the area each season, creating spikes in demand for signage, catalogs, point of sale material, and exhibit services. The Harrells have used event calendars and national industry shows to learn new techniques and source equipment, a strategy that supports steady business and can translate into more local hiring.
Workforce development emerged as a central theme in the profile. Small business owners like the Harrells are significant employers in Guilford County and across the country, where small firms account for nearly all commercial enterprises and roughly half of private sector employment. By focusing on local recruitment, on the job training, and aligning services to market needs, the shop aims to retain talent and expand capacity for specialized print work. Those efforts matter to the community because they support middle skill jobs and practical pathways for workers entering manufacturing and service occupations.
The Harrells also described how their operations changed after the pandemic, mirroring broader industry shifts toward digital ordering platforms, short run color production, and flexible fulfillment for local clients. These adjustments reduce reliance on any single revenue stream and make the business less vulnerable to disruptions in foot traffic or large event schedules. For the Guilford County economy this kind of adaptability increases local economic resilience and helps keep supply chains short for area retailers and event organizers.
Policy implications are straightforward. Continued investment in workforce training, access to small business financing, and support for regional trade events can amplify the kinds of gains the Harrells are pursuing. For residents, the practical outcome is easier access to print and visual communications services, potential new local jobs, and a stronger small business ecosystem that feeds into High Points broader furniture and design economy.
As a press release profile, the piece offered a snapshot of one local business navigating structural industry change while staying rooted in community engagement. The Harrells story reflects wider trends in how small firms in Guilford County are adapting to post pandemic realities and positioning themselves for future growth.
