Steve Cape is an exceptional man who
possesses both a mechanical ability and an affable personality. These traits
magically combine to make him a successful entrepreneur and a talented printer. Quality Printing’s business and building were
purchased from Bill Spence, by Steve and Denise Cape, in 1999. This printing business originated in 1906 by
M N Dodson and was operating in Pike County. Spence moved Quality Printing to downtown
Enterprise at 115 E College Street in 1971. Being part of the downtown
atmosphere is something the Capes appreciate and they are thrilled with the
brick trimmed sidewalks, seasonal flowers sprouting at the street corners, and
antique styled street lights. Lisa Gray, owner of Milky Moos and Milky Moos Too
and Cape’s neighbor, says “Steve is extremely community minded and does
whatever he can to make this city better.”
Lisa Fenner, the Chamber President, agrees “He has been on the Enterprise Chamber of Commerce Board of
Directors for several years and has recently accepted the nomination to the Executive
Board of Directors as Secretary. Steve Cape and his staff are the epitome of
Southern Hospitality.” He
also sits on the Downtown Enterprise Business Association Board, is Vice
President of Enterprise Network Association, and is actively involved in
raising money for the Lions Club.
Mr. Cape is
truly a civic minded citizen with leadership and direction but as a young boy growing
up in Northern Coffee County he worked hard to find his path. After high
school, Cape was itching to make money so when he found himself working as a
landscaper who had been laid off for the winter; he began to keep his eyes open
for a new opportunity. A friend led him to
Jack Brewster who needed help running his printing press. Mr. Brewster was 75 and had been printing
since he was 12 years old. He hired Cape on the spot and he began working that
very day, February 10th 1975, the same day he turned 20. Even though he had no idea about the printing
business, his father had taught him to fix up cars so he knew his way around an
engine and was determined to learn how to run a press. Repairing complicated machinery and paying attention
to detail came naturally for Cape and he was continuously promoted. The printing industry was fascinating to Cape
and he educated himself about the old and new presses and each aspect of printing
until he was ready to be his own boss.
Printing is an art that has been
handed down through generations, Benjamin Franklin was a printer and more of
that story is on Quality Printing’s Facebook Page. Cape realizes that most
people don’t understand the complicated and multi-layered process that is
necessary to create a printed product. There are many mechanical gears involved
in printing and it takes experience and years of training to feel confident
about running a press; Quality Printing owns and runs equipment from the 1800’s.
Bill Brooks explains it well, “As an Army aviator, I was
fascinated with all the moving parts in Steve’s business, so when he needed
help, I told him I was interested and he offered to teach me what offset
printing was all about. He’s a superb teacher, as fine a person as I’ve ever
known, and a great entrepreneur.”
Becoming an entrepreneur
was a long arduous road. Cape put in
long hours gaining experience at other printing companies by completing large
jobs like 15,000,000 booklets or phone books, while the Cape’s were raising
their four young children. The couple had major goals for themselves and their
family and never lost faith or focus. Mrs.
Cape worked full time while attending nursing school while Mr. Cape worked two
jobs, often having the children stay with him while he was printing. Denise Cape smiles and says “Our daughter,
Rachel grew up sleeping on the press room floor. She has ink running through her blood.” By the time they bought Quality Printing, Cape
could do it all; typesetting, dark room film, running the presses. Cape says solemnly, “It was tough” during those
first few years of being a sole proprietor.
Starting a business was a risk and it felt like they were starting over
but with no savings, every dollar was invested into Quality Printing, and tons
of family obligations. Working as a
registered nurse, Mrs. Cape’s salary supported them and she was the printing
shop’s bookkeeper too. It was crucial Cape get more business and fast.
Unfortunately his
Coffee County Business contacts weren’t relevant anymore because he had been
out of town since the 80’s and had relocated from Dothan. Thankfully, Mr. Spence introduced Cape to
current customers who he explained his plans to take Quality Printing https://www.facebook.com/pages/Quality-Printing/127852040592562?v=wall to the
next level. “Nobody in town had the
ability to do the jobs I was capable of doing because of my experience,” says
Cape. His advice for attracting new clients and
retaining established clients is “Take the time to stop and greet that customer
and see how they are doing. Treat each customer like they are your friend.”
When we discuss all the
missed vacations and hard times worrying about the next account, Cape says it was
worth all the sacrifice because “I have a passion for the business to begin
with. I love printing.” Quality
Printing received the “Small Business of the Year” award from the Enterprise
Chamber of Commerce http://www.enterprisealabama.com/ in 2004 and he has no doubt that joining the Chamber has
brought him business and allowed him to give back to the business community by
serving on the Chamber’s Board. “Joining
the Chamber means you pay dues and those dues are used for the betterment of
the community,” says Cape. He is also
very proud of the over $40,000 that The Lions Club has raised for non-profits
in the Enterprise Area and feels fortunate to be a part of the Annual Boll
Weevil 100 event assisting our wounded veterans.
This caring
and generous man also has wonderful relationships with his employees. Although he is usually the teacher on the
presses, when it comes to graphic design; his employee Jessica Turberville could
teach him a thing or two. Cape raves
that she is the “best graphic designer in the Southeast” and feels fortunate
that she has worked at Quality Printing for eight years. Turberville designs anything from company
Logos to the Boll Weevil Fall Festival shirt, to beautiful custom Thank You
notes--I have some.
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Mrs. Cape is most proud about her husband mentoring the young men
who work part time in the shop during high school and college. Dr. Timothy M.
Peters of UAB Department of Internal Medicine states, “I worked for Mr. Steve
Cape starting in high school and continued on throughout college. It was a
fantastic experience for me, and to this day, Mr. Steve is still the
best (and most inspiring) boss that I've worked for. Without his
mentorship, I have no doubt that I would not be where I am today. He influenced
me in a positive way teaching me principles that I still live by - and not
just principles related to how to run a small business, but the virtues pertaining
to how to be a good boss, father, husband, Christian, and mentor.”
What an amazing legacy Cape has created by taking care of others first,
working to make sure he always meets his deadlines, and supporting his family.
In his spare time, he is passionate about
antique cars because of their unique qualities and design. Although it had always been a dream of his to
own and fix up a vintage automobile, many years passed by because each
time he saved up the money to buy his dream car, the money went to their
child’s college education. Finally in
2009 he rescued a rusty car from a shop in Daleville and although it took two
and a half years to restore his bright blue, 1973 two door Plymouth Duster,
Mrs. Cape is happy he bought that car because he deserves the reward. Now, he
has another car he is working on with his son, just like Cape’s father did with
him; is there another printer in the family?
Drop in Steve Cape’s shop to see his historic equipment or
see his powerful Plymouth, the next time the Weevil City Cruisers https://www.facebook.com/WeevilCityCruisers?sk=wall Come to
downtown.
Published July 2014
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