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Show I V REFLEX JOURNAL BULLETIN LEADER SEPTEMBER 23, 1982 MdfKeipIdCe Cooper Family Enjoy Working Together In E amity owned Business ty. Steve is an accomplished gymnast. Working together in business has drawn our family closer together, Bryan Cooper believes. "We enjoy each others company more now than when we were growing up. Our common interests on the job and w hen we are relaxing have increased over the years. We get along well in business because each knows what theii job and responsibilities are. By DONETA GATHERUM - LAYTON Over 30 years ago Ken Cooper of Layton started working for the Kameyer Office Equipment Company in Ogden. Today, he shares ownership in this highly specialized equipment sales and service business with four of his children. Two years ago the name of the establishment was changed from Kameyer's to Cooper Office Equipment. ASSISTING Ken Cooper in the business are his sons, R. Bryan, Stan and Chris. Kens daughter, Cathy Cooper Lee is also part of this family enterprise. Bryan has been involved in the office equipment business for 12 years. He is the vice COOPER OFFICE equipment features the Olympia main line of electronic office machines. Typewriters that will interface with computers are the best selling items on the current market. Last December 6 new models of typewriters were introduced into the market. Six additional models have been added to the inventory this ear. president of the company. Chris has been a business associate for five years and Stan has worked with the other Keeping up with the members of the family for four years. Cathy joined the staff about three years ago. changes in electronic mechanical functions is the biggest challenge facing the office equipment business. New technology gives you an edge. and bePeople want to come more efficient, Bryan says. THE OTHER member of the Cooper family is Steve. He graduated from Layton High up-da- School last spring and is now attending Nebraska Universi TO KEEP up with new equipment, the Coopers are constantly attending service schools. These are held about five times a year. The cost per person per school is about $1,000. You cant afford to compete in business without this specialized training. Most companies require you to complete the training before you are allowed to sell their pro- duct. For business establishments that can't afford to up-da- their equipment, Cooper Office Equipment offers service. W'hen Ken started in business over 30 years ago he decided to make service the key element in his dealings with the public. you go into a retail business to purchase something. Good reservice gives long-terturns." Another important concept that has guided Ken Cooper and his family is the idea that Bon manager Jim Prestons belief to offer the customer what he wants. Mmwmrer Of The Mums 2 Cbudlmges he said, chuckling. We guess a lot, Sometimes we are right, and sometimes we are wrong. Mr. Preston makes trips to Seattle about LAYTON - Filling the needs of his Utah customers is Jim Preston's first consideration once a month for meetings with other store in his job as manager of The Bon at Layton managers and buyers. Those trips keep him informed as to what is available in the marketHills Mall. place. He also spends about half of his working WE STRESS fashion merchandise at day on the sales floor at The Bon, communicatWe are not a ing with employees. affordable prices, he said. Our relationships are pretty informal, he Fifth Sax or Nordstroms Avenue, but are pretIam not much on protocol, and my door We said. on similar are ZCMI. to very strong ty customer service and have a big belief that the never closes. customer is Number One. HIS ASSISTANT manager is Marcel Schwa-ge- r, We adjust our product lines as customers with Pam Pierce, Ray Stuart, Mike Wilcox tell us what they want." and Eileen Vanderhei as department manaFOR INSTANCE, The Bon sells more white gers. The store employs 45 persons, either full lingerie in Utah than in other areas, and the or part time. Mr. Preston notes that opportunities in retail store stocks a larger selection of dresses with sleeves. merchandising are better for women than for The blond, stocky manager began his career men, because women seem to be more in tune with The Bon five years ago as a divisional with fashion. sales manager in Seattle, location of the comRETAILING HAS always been geared topany's largest store. He came to Ogden three manayears ago to serve as assistant manager during ward women, and we have women store he said. and vice was and presidents, the remodeling of The Bon there gers promoted to manager when The Bon opened in A native of California, Mr. Preston attended Layton about a year ago. San Jose State College. He began selling furniTHE BON had its beginning in the early ture for the Emporium while he was still going 1900's in Seattle and was originally called to school, then became an assistant buyer and Bon Marche. The name was changed two a divisional sales manager before going to work for The Bon. years ago. each 90 spehighly buyers, Approximately HE MARRIED Janice Gettle from Redwood cialized in the products purchased , buy for The Bon chain for stores in Washington, Oregon, City in 1969, and they are the parents of three Montana, Idaho and Utah. A new store will children: Michelle, 1 ; Todd, 9, and Adam, 4. open next year in Casper, Wyo., where a shop- The family spends a lot of time together, ping mall is being built. The buyers go to New fishing, hiking, taking short trips and garYork, Chicago and the West Coast, depending dening. We planted a community garden with upon where manufacturers maintain their showrooms. neighbors in a vacant lot nearby, as well as our home garden, he said. I found the vegetWE ARE PART of Allied Stores, which has ables were more prolific than I thought they stores all over the country, Mr. Preston said. would be, and I am still bringing zucchinis to We have a tremendous buying power in the the office. We grew com, potatoes, cucummarket, going directly to manufacturers. This bers, four kinds of squash, carrots, onions, in which strawberries, lettuce, radishes and kohlrabi. gives us better prices in the volume we buy. the right THE ONLY things that didn't grow very We have two challenges-havi- ng and customers well our were the brussel sprouts and cauliflower, merchandise, by listening to customer old we planted too late. which and plain doing market surveys I thoroughly enjoy my kids, and I also read service. Our constant goal is to have the best customer service, and 1 have weekly training a lot for enjoyment, he continued. In addisessions with small groups of our employees to tion, we have three family pets: Jennifer, our old old St. Bernard; Annie, our emphasize its importance. old cat. our and Franklin, Shelty, MOST OF THE conversations that I have MR. PRESTON belongs to the Layton with buyers are the results of listening to our customers. We also gear our stock mix to sea- Chamber of Commerce, the Layton Rotary sonal changes in the weather. We sell summer Club and is a loaned executive for United Way. merchandise later in Utah than in Seattle, be- He is also active in the Clearfield Community cause normally we are still in the 80 s when Church, where he serves as a Sunday School teacher and a lay leader. Seattle is in the 50s. Win a You could win one of 7,000 exciting prizes. Every time you use the HandiBank, youre automatically entered into the sweepstakes. The more dream vacation in HandiBanks Winning Touch To Win! customer Whether youre a or not come you a dollar just for trying HandiBank for the first time! And you'll be entered in the Sweep-stake- s at the same time. in. Equipment has not been adversely effected by the economic recession. ALTHOUGH Bry an Cooper attended Weber State College for two years, he says the best training for his particular busis ness is experience. He his college days were somewhat wasted because he didnt have a goal in mind. Perhaps some of the applied business and trade programs offered in colleges would be helpful in a business setting if you started school with some definate goals established. con-ceed- SERVICE means the way you treat a customer as well as simply fixing something that doesnt work right, Bryan emphasizes. The key to success is treating people the w ay you expect to be treated w hen The glittering azure waters of the Caribbean as seen from aboard a Princess Cruise ship. The soft, pearl-whit- e sand of the Hawaiian Islands under your feet. And the complete all convenience of day and night banking within reach. Now, at HandiBank. Its you snoum grow slowly and build on a good foundation. Bryan believes this cautious approach to business is one main reason Cooper Office Well give The other Cooper family members moved directly from high school into the family business. COOPER Office Equipment serves customers from to Bountiful. Most n accounts are with commercial establishments. Banks, savings and loan companies and credit unions are basic clients the Coopers work with. ft E y y" vacations in the Hawaiian Islands dream vacation for two aboard a magnificent Princess Cruise ship, arranged by Chis Tours. Includes accommodations, food and entertainment aboard ship plus airfare. week in paradise for two. Including deluxe accommodations at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Am. .mam VO .... .. .. .Nn .nr, antiar uiltk MM m. sun-fille- d Air travel via Western Airlines. FT ...k. i. a nn..i,nn M r, Vit.nLa fnr establish Layton as the hut' ot the county. The soMs ot tv proposal that was piai.ee on the ballot vvete hig! It was cheap for those who would have used it, Dow ntow n redev elopmcm and implementation ot the new sign ordinance are othei ate.-.Brvan feels need attention. Get theWinningTouch"at .. these locations: S'.. 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Plus your Visa Credit Card or Visa Banking Card can By WANDA LUND Special Writer Ken I ooper and hi children are committed to community service as well as to business success. Ken was one ot the organizers of the u ton Jaycees. He coached in the city little league programs toi many years Scotty Plaid Stadium Blankets DayDateTime Wall Clocks Get a Free Dollar Bill just for trying HandiBank the first time. Over 5,000 - LCD $1 Cash Prizes. ' Firs Security bank of Ltah, N. A. First Security Bank of Idaho, N.A. First Security Bank of Rock Springs First Security State Bank. |