Siblings run office supply business their father founded

B ig P ictu r e . Lo cal Fo cus
Siblings run office supply business
their father founded
By Jocelyn M. Black
Medill News Service
Posted Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Many families only come together a
couple of times a year. But for the
Garveys, every day is a day to share - by
managing the family business.
Five out of eight Garvey siblings own
Garvey's Office Products Inc., a commercial
office supply business in Niles. Their
father, Bernard Garvey Sr., retired after 39
years at the business, but not before leaving
an impact on his children.
“On weekends, he would take me and
my brother down to the company when he
would be cleaning up paperwork,” said
Bernie Garvey, 49, president. “It was dark
and dirty and a little spooky and we just
hung out in the warehouse.”
The siblings said they never imagined
themselves growing up to work in their
father's business. But one Garvey after
another slowly joined the team. They have
varied specialties. Kevin, 43, and Dan, 40,
are sales managers. Ken, 47, is the operations director. Sheila, 41, is the marketing
director while Mike, the oldest at 50,
recently left his career as a futures trader
to become an account representative.
“Everyone has a separate responsibility,
but we help each other. And that is how
Mom would like it,” said Dan Garvey, as
his siblings made eye contact with each
other and laughed. Their mother studied
art and she used to help plan the catalog
layout.
Though they are from different vocational backgrounds, they agree that working
with a sibling is better than working with a
stranger.
“If you have a problem with someone
who is your sibling, it's probably easier to
be honest with them and have it out,” said
Ken Garvey, who also fixes broken staplers
Pictured Above (L-R): Kevin Garvey, Bernie Garvey, Mike Garvey, Dan Garvey, Sheila Gartland and Ken Garvey.
at clients' request. “The next day we'll forget
about it.”
The Garvey siblings said they have
taken the company in a different direction
from their father. And it has paid off. Their
father and mother have lived to see the
30,000-square-foot office products business produce $20 million in sales for 2005.
And sales this year are expected to
increase more than 20 percent.
With 55 employees, including 11 sales
representatives, Garvey's serves more than
1200 businesses per month.
The Garveys say they focus on the
customer.
“We go beyond what any other office
products company does,” said Sheila
Gartland. “There's not a job that's too
small for someone here to do.”
Jerry DiCola, facilities manager at the
140-lawyer Chicago office of Brinks,
Hofer, Gilson & Lione, which specializes
in intellectual property law, confirmed that
statement. “They are always looking for
ways to save us money, bring us new ideas
and give us options.”
Jean Frank, bookkeeper and office manager at Garvey's Office Products, said
there are benefits to working for a small
business with a close-knit staff.
“In the long run, personally you get
more out of it, because there is more of
you into it,” said Frank, a 12-year employee.
Because the business opens at 5 a.m.,
each partner takes one early and one late
shift each week. All five join in a management meeting 7 a.m. every Monday for
brainstorming and discussing major decisions they need to make. They may discuss
the theme of next year's catalog or try to
find a new furniture vendor. The team also
tries to figure out who will use the company's
four Bears playoffs tickets on the 50-yard
line or who will brew the next pot of coffee.
Three shifts work varying hours at the
warehouse, with 14 delivery trucks serving
Chicago-area clients. One truck is always
set aside for same-day emergency orders.
Business customers place more than 300
orders every day on www.garveysop.com.
And there are more than 25,000 products
to choose from. By the end of the year
Garvey's also will have a retail Web site,
www.shopgarveys.com.