According to the U.S. Office of Small Business Advocacy, small businesses provide 50 percent of total American GDP, excluding agriculture. Out of the six million small businesses, 90 percent of those employ fewer than 20 people, and approximately 275,000 of them employ fewer than five.
If you are reading this article, there is a good chance you are one of the small business owners that make up the backbone of America’s economy. And chances are also high, that you do not have a degree in marketing. So how does one wade through the jungle of marketing their product or service?
You have two options; you can pour over statistics and spend most of your time trying to find creative ways to target your customer, hopefully increasing your bottomline in the process, or you can get some help from a fellow small business owner whose product is marketing your enterprise, leaving you more time to make the product, or provide the service your customers depend on.
One such company with 60 employees that has been helping small business grow for over 20 years is Gateway Communications. Founded in Portland in 1991, Gateway has been at the forefront of small business marketing services. They have provided direct mail services, printing services, design services and telemarketing. They also provide fundraising for charitable organizations. In fact this has become a major part of who they are, and what they do.
“Out of everything we do at Gateway, our main focus is contributing to the betterment of society,” said CEO Tim Nashif. “Our telephone fundraising work is limited to charitable organizations. We strive to glorify God, by exercising our faith to help communities all over the world.”
The founders of Gateway Communications began their work in the nonprofit world directing two charitable organizations. As these charities grew, so did their need for increased revenues.
They soon learned that developing and maintaining in house donor communication capabilities wasn’t always feasible. And outside services often came with a price that put them beyond the reach of a growing ministry. This was particularly true for telecommunication services.
So they developed what they believed was lacking in the marketplace: an affordable, skilled calling center with a passion to help nonprofits dedicated to humanitarian service. Now rescue missions, food banks and other organizations across the nation have access to the finest telecommunications services from a company with a dedicated interest in helping those in need.
The firm offers complete security and confidentiality in client provided lists. Data experts have the ability to work with virtually any native file format.
Highly personalized direct mail communication is a Gateway forte. Their high speed laser equipment and variable data software are combined to make multi-personalized mail packages with variable data imbedded throughout the package a core competency.
Gateway Communications has two high speed, multi-head ink jetters designed to provide the most cost-effective means to apply near laser quality addressing and messaging to your envelops, postcards, tabbed mailings or catalogs.
Gateway Communications has a variety of automated letter insertion machines that can accommodate up to six inserts and a wide variety of package shapes and sizes. But even with advanced equipment, its real strength lies in its people. When dealing with multi-personalized packages, they assign skilled staff to personally inspect packages throughout the insertion process to assure the highest standard of match excellence.
“We’ve worked with Gateway Communications for more than 20 years and hope to continue that relationship as we build the mission here in Portland and try to serve as many people as we can,” said Bill Miller, director of development ministry at Portland Rescue Mission.
When thinking of charitable organizations, most of us don’t realize what an impact they have on the overall economy. According to the NCCS, (National Center for Charitable Statistics) there are 1.5 million non-profits in the United States. Oregon has 21,990 of them, with total assets just under $74,000,000,000. For those of us not used to seeing that many zero’s in a number, that is 74 billion dollars. Each of these non-profits provides much needed jobs, and plays a part in the overall economic health of our state, as well as the countless number of lives they impact in a positive way.
Recently Gateway moved their phone center to Redmond, providing nearly 20 jobs to the local economy that is still struggling with a 10.1 percent unemployment rate. When asked why Redmond, Nashif said, “We already have a house there which makes the travel to the area by executives easier. But the main reasons are the quality of employees to choose from and the amazing weather Redmond enjoys. We also bought the building we are in.”
“Gateway Communications is a welcome service to all of Central Oregon’s non profit entities,” said Ruth Lindley Marketing director for EDCO “We know that the tri county region is home to many non-profits and we think Gateway fits in well.”
“As an organization dependent on local, state and federal grants, we’ve been thrilled with how Gateway has helped us engage our donors. After more than 10 years partnering with Gateway, our annual phone appeal has become an important component of our fundraising strategy,” said Rose Fuller, executive director of Northwest Family Services in Portland.
Not only does Gateway provide services to non profits, but they also practice what they preach. Each year they donate to several charities themselves including Medical Teams International, Shared Hope, The Portland Rescue Mission, Woman and Children’s centers and The Luis Palau Association. They also give scholarships for City Christian Schools.
www.gatewayci.com, 503-257-0100.
