Family-Owned Small Business Continues Success

Seven years ago, Jon Zeininger knew he needed new equipment to grow the family-owned Menasha business that he had taken over in the 1980s.

But, when the regional bank he had been with for years downgraded its Menasha branch, his inquiry regarding new financing fell on deaf ears. That’s when he listened instead to the local airwaves and decided to check out the local financial and its brand promise that ‘We’ll Find a Way.’

Zeininger had always been proud of his small but solid Menasha-based business, Fox Stamp, Sign & Apparel, 618 W. Airport Road. But he was left hanging by the unresponsiveness of his bank.

Changing his financial outlook was made easier by the wonderful welcome he received during his first visit to the Community First branch on Forest Avenue in Neenah. He was put in touch with a CFCU business lending team member; the rest is history.

“Being a small business owner is very rewarding,” Zeininger said. “But it takes more than just me as the owner and having good employees. You also need good partners to work with – your customers, suppliers and a good financial institution. Community First is the best.”

Employment peaked at 17 (mostly full-time) in 2005-06 after a large rubber vulcanizer was acquired, that expanded Fox Stamp’s rubber-stamping capacity.

70-Year History

“In November it will be 70 years we have been in business,” said Zeininger. He loves how Fox Stamp’s custom products are designed to solve a customer’s specific needs or problems.

Fox Stamp was founded in the basement of the family’s Menasha home in late 1953. As business grew, Fox Stamp moved out to a downtown building in 1959. In 1980, the business moved into a new building at its current location.

From working alongside his dad in the mid-1970s to working in the business full-time in 1981, Zeininger knew continuing to develop the family business was the perfect path for him. 
Rubber stamps are still a core part of Fox Stamp’s business but diversification is also key. “We started out with more custom solutions to meet customer needs and now we’re morphing into this digital age – and more branding with promotional products, embroidery and signage,” he said.

Savvy Guidance/Boost

Zeininger credits Community First and business lenders John Nygaard (Senior VP Business Lending) and Jeff Johnson (Business Lender/Commercial Lending) with providing savvy guidance and timely financing, including a line of credit, that helped the business grow and prosper since 2016.

The purchase of a 54-inch full-color printer for large-scale signage – along with a vinyl plotter and laminator – triggered an expansion of the signage department as the business continued to evolve. “We can print just about anything and make it into a sign,” he said.

By 2019, an apparel division was added with the acquisition of new embroidery machines that required expansion into the front portion of the adjacent building. Today, the business has 13 employees.

“We wanted to do things to grow and expand,” he said. “We weren’t flush with cash (in 2016), but we weren’t in danger of going out of business either. Community First found a way to help us.”

Within two years, Zeininger and his wife, Pat, transferred all personal accounts to Community First as well. Refinancing his home mortgage helped provide some home improvements and set them on a better path for their future. That includes the current transition of the family business to a third generation, their son William.

With the right partners in place, Fox Stamp has a bright future. “Community First worked with us,” Zeininger said. “It made a huge difference in our family business.”

Community First Credit Union is proud to be a small part of Fox Stamp’s story. We celebrate the long-term success of this family-owned, Menasha-based business and employer. 

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As you consider your business needs, contact our Business Lending professionals for guidance and opportunities to pursue your dream.