Tom and Joe, co-owners of Canvas on Demand, share an entrepreneurial spirit, a genuine interest and concern for their customers, and a commitment to their family and friends.  Both partners’ exposure to entrepreneurship stems from close relationships with their fathers. Tom worked after school at the family printing business in upstate New York, while Joe was in Indiana working in his dad’s building-supply company.  The two would tagalong with their hustling fathers.  Joe and his dad traveled by car between cities in the Midwest. Tom and his dad traveled by train to NYC to call on ad agencies.

But Tom and Joe’s fathers could never have imagined a business where thousands of people could go online, upload a sentimental photo, and in a few days receive a beautiful canvas artwork. But the lessons the fathers had taught their sons—to have the perseverance to make the extra call, to be optimistic, and to understand that the real joy in business is developing relationships—are the very traits that have made Canvas On Demand a success.

Tom and Joe knew each other for a few years before taking positions at the same dot.com company as VP of Marketing and Director of Sales respectively.  The experience was exhilarating, but the company wasn’t theirs. They had a burning desire to create a business of their own.  So they left their secure positions…and launched Canvas on Demand. 

THEIR PHILOSOPHY:  From the onset, Canvas On Demand worked hard to create direct relationships with customers through their website.  One day Tom and Joe saw their FedEx representative, Meghan—who had just received her own order—sitting in her car sobbing.  Her canvas had so captured the beauty of her children that she was overwhelmed!  The owners were greatly touched, and from that moment on, they created every canvas with Meghan in mind.

They built a website friendly enough that Meghan would feel confident visiting it.  With Meghan in mind, they set goals for high customer service.  Customers were encouraged to talk directly to their friends at Canvas on Demand for second opinions and advice. Orders were attentively reviewed before processing.  Often clients were contacted with suggestions and free upgrades—just as if each customer was their friend, Meghan!

The goal is to exceed customer expectations.  They were determined that each canvas would be an improvement over the photo submitted.  Orders are carefully packed and shipped within three days. If customers call with an issue, they are sincerely thanked and offered a re-make. The objective is to absolutely delight each customer.

Tom and Joe embrace the concept of “doing well by doing good.”  Every product awareness campaign aims at benefiting others.  Example:  During Operation Hi Mom and Operation Hi Honey, overseas troops are offered—absolutely free—a canvas they can send to their mom for Mother’s Day or to their spouse on their anniversary.  In conjunction with Extreme Makeover Home Edition, Canvas on Demand agreed to produce 1,000 mural canvases with all proceeds benefiting Camp Heartland, a summer camp for families affected by HIV.  In fact, every 501C3 non-profit in America is eligible to receive a $100 gift certificate for a canvas to raffle or auction as a fundraiser.

Tom and Joe’s personal life motto is a quote by Winston Churchill:  You make a living by what you earn; you make a life by what you give.

Tom is a native of Mahopac, New York and a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology. Tom has spent much of his career in business development in the commercial printing industry. Prior to Canvas On Demand, Tom was the Vice President of Marketing and Merchandising for a large online retailer. Tom is proud of his family that includes his lovely wife of 26 years and four great kids.   Tom spends his free time on his bike (the kind you pedal), on his kayak, playing golf, or watching ACC basketball.

Joe was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. He received his undergraduate degree from Ball State University with a major in entrepreneurial studies. His MBA is from Boston College. Prior to Canvas On Demand, Joe has been involved in numerous successful technology start-ups. He is extremely proud of his family-his lovely wife and their three delightful daughters, Joe enjoys a variety of redneck pursuits including hunting, fishing, and watching Nascar.