Nick Roussin and Jenifer Rose
US-based Coast to Coast, set up by former addict, sees 26 years of growth, with 70 percent of top employees coming from half-way houses and 12 step programmes.
Coast to Coast distributes over $50 million (€38 million) worth of ink and toner products per year to corporate accounts across the US, employing 200 people, many of whom are former convicts or recovering addicts, with the company announcing that it has experienced growth for 26 years in its 27-year history.
The company was founded in 1985 by Rick Roussin, who was 24 years old and just 60 days clean from drugs and alcohol when he began the business venture. Deciding to give others like himself a second chance, Roussin decided to employ people with pasts similar to his own and claims to provide “the best compensation plan in the industry while creating a culture dedicated to the personal growth of each person”; with new employees found through half-way houses put through training and coaching to make them ready for work and improve their lives.
“I myself was strung out on drugs and alcohol at a young age,” Roussin explained. “My own road to recovery taught me that many talented, good people might end up down the wrong path and deserve a second and sometimes a third or fourth chance. People who may be caught up now need to know there is a solution and hope for them too. Of course there is a risk associated with hiring people with a tainted past, however overall the good far outweighs the bad.”
In addition, Coast to Coast has partnered with Jenifer Rose to create another company that supports communities – It’s My Community Store, an office supply company that donates up to 10 percent of every purchase to a charity chosen by the customer. After seeing a year of success, the company is continuing to grow and now offers more than 8,000 products and donates to 67 charities in five states.
Commenting on her partnership with Roussin and Coast to Coast, Rose said: “Rick has a highly motivational, positive attitude, with a don’t-quit-until-you-win expectation and amazing energy level. I’ve actually never seen anyone like him.
“Rick has been successful in helping people stay clean and sober and now we plan to be successful at raising money for charities through a product category businesses are already buying every day. We are excited to provide continued support to our elderly, our sick children, our veterans and through the many wonderful causes that need support.”
Roussin added: “We’ve helped a lot of people stay clean and sober at Coast to Coast, we are experiencing great success and plan to continue for years to come. I’m excited at the opportunity to grow a second company committed to giving back.”