April 17, 2017

Meet W. David Craft of Pro Laser Printers and 6C Freight in Atlanta

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to W. David Craft.

David, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was the Operations Director for Printers Direct, a company formerly in Douglasville that remanufactured and sold Laser Printers. The company was going through some difficult times in spite of major operational improvements made by my team. After a failed attempt to partner with Printers Direct in the formation of my own company to enhance sales of their remanufactured products, I decided it would benefit both parties if I left.

In May of 2013, I formed 6C Group LLC operating Pro Laser Printers and 6C Freight. I built an e-commerce site (prolaserprinters.com), sourced and began selling remanufactured, environmentally friendly laser printers and toner cartridges. I also set up 6cfreight.com, an online freight shipping site, providing freight quotes and shipping services of all types. Through personal, professional and new business challenges, both companies have maintained modest growth over the last several years, but now appear poised to make major strides in 2017 and 2018.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road for start-ups is never smooth. Keeping everything low-capital is always a challenge, and means doing everything yourself. I wear all the hats, negotiating products and prices, doing all the web design and IT work, sales, shipping, legal, regulatory, marketing and everything in between. In business as in life, time is your worst enemy, followed closely by money. Shortly after giving up a full-time, paying job to start this venture, my wife and I gained permanent guardianship of 2 of our young grandchildren (15 months and 6 years at the time). That has proven to be the biggest challenge to running a start-up business and to growth, but also one of the most rewarding events in our recent lives.

So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Pro Laser Printers / 6C Freight story. Tell us more about the business.
ProLaserPrinters.com is a distributor and reseller of recycled, environmentally-conscious remanufactured (better than refurbished) laser printers, accessories and consumables by top brand name manufacturers. Pro Laser Printers offers “green” laser printer products from the leading remanufacturing companies in the United States, thus keeping them out of landfills. We are focused on helping businesses of all sizes save money while making a positive impact on the environment. We offer the highest quality products, the greatest value, and the best warranties in the industry. We offer best-in-class recycled products, provide an excellent customer service experience, inform and educate the public about the benefits of our products, and exercise only ethical and moral business practices and policies. Ours is a Green Business Model based on a conscience decision to help reduce the environmental impact of printing. Our company was founded on the belief that what is good for the environment can also be good for business.

6C Freight is a U.S. based freight shipping agency. Through our National Network of preferred, recognized and certified freight carriers we offer a wide variety of low-cost freight shipping options to all 50 states of the US, Canada and Mexico. 6C Freight is focused on helping individuals and businesses of all sizes save money, time and hassle on all types of freight shipments. On-time, safe, secure and under budget. That’s our goal.

We cater to one-time freight shippers, small business, medium business, large business, educational and governmental organizations, trade shows – Basically anyone that needs to ship large items or large quantities. We offer volume discounts and recurring shipment discounts to a very wide range of consumers in numerous industries. Our extensive carrier network is comprised of the most established and reputable freight carriers in the industry. We specialize in Full Truckload (FTL), Less-Than-Truckload (LTL), Intermodal (TOFC, COFC, Truck-Rail-Truck) and Expedited Freight Shipping Services. We assist our customers in finding the best shipping solutions available to fit their own unique requirements. At 6C Freight we strive to create a simplified and hassle-free freight shipping experience for all of our customers, regardless of size or financial status. We believe that business should be a win/win proposition.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I believe that people make their own luck. Having said that, being in the right place at the right time with the right product and the right pricing tends to make things happen. Some people call that luck, but really it is more a function of strategic planning and execution.

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