Last week I needed to arrange some business cards for a client of mine for an event a week later. I ordered them through an online printing service that I use regularly however the delivery date would be the day after the event. I had to somehow get a small print run in time for the event so I started to ring around online. After a couple of failed and frustrating attempts, I came across People Print. I set up an account and virtually as soon as my account confirmed I had a phone call from Meeka, their customer service manager. She convinced me I'd have the short run, within my budget delivered by Monday in time for the event. A hour or so later I had a confirmation of the order and the business cards arrived on Monday as promised. I was so impressed by the service that I asked if I could do an interview and I'm glad I did. Today's show is about an innovative company who recognised a massive problem in the online printing industry and created a solution that has disrupted the industry.

John Weichard is a Start-up Mountaineer. Most mountains a start-up faces John has scaled in the last 15 years. John started his first tech company D2P, in 1998, delivering the massive, fragile artwork files used in high end printing over the internet. John lead the team that secured D2P a $2 million investment deal from a Silicon Valley VC and two years later wrested D2P back from them.

John used his intimate knowledge of both the Graphic Arts and Online Worlds to lead D2P and its customers through a constantly changing business landscape. As well as securing investment and grants he oversaw an aggressive R&D program that had D2P recognised as the leading online supplier to the printing industry.

John is recognised in graphic arts circles as the go to guy for anything online and a memorable marketer that extracts maximum impact per dollar spent. This has lead to various speaking and writing engagements in and out of the industry.

At 5am January 11, 2012, John sat bolt upright in bed, the solution to Online Printing and $200B worth of waste from the $700B global printing industry had just occurred to him. Despite the best efforts of the dysfunctional Australia VC industry, John successfully raised the required capital for PeoplePRINT to start the disruption of printing. To aid focus for the new venture John negotiated the sale of the D2P Broadband division late in 2012.

He is proud of the contribution he has made as a director and supporter of the important cause, The Thin Green Line Foundation. www.ThinGreenLine.org.au

"For the last two years I have lived the life of a hermit as we have strived to make our Vision a reality. To have a lively chat with someone like Ludwina who is so online savvy and a great communicator is a rare jewel for me. I look forward to continuing the conversation over drinks.."
John Weichard|People Print

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• Because of their outstanding customer service, People Print got this interview
  
• People print is the Wotif of the printing industry
  
• Innovation is only relevant if the industry is ready for it
  
• Australians need to back innovation in this country so that we don’t lose it overseas
  
• Being on top of SEM is almost a full time job in itself yet vital to the success of any online business
  
• Three leading thoughts for any entrepreneur on the start up path – persistence, keep your costs low and work hard
  

People Print| www.PeoplePrint.com.au

Ludwina Dautovic on Social | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | www.Ludwina.com

Travelling Business people and Speakers can stay with Ludwina and Harry at their home| AirBnB.com

We now have an app available for both IOS and Android which means you no longer have to go download each episode. The apps will automatically add each episode as it's published. This is especially great for those who might be a little technically challenged:)