Kristen Oviedo has two great kids, one awesome husband, more than one butt-kicking fitness class a week, 2 jobs, and one new business of her own to run. They call her “The Fighter K.O.” for a reason. This girl’s not one to take the backseat; she’s at the front of the LA Marathon (“Well, the front-ish,” she corrects me, laughing), at the front of a growing OC spray tan industry with her new business Knockout Tan (job #1), at the front desk of ABC Pilates (job #2), and at the front of the new marketing team for Alladerm (job #3), a Laguna Hills doctor’s office. Heck, she’s even on the front of this magazine.

“I feel most comfortable putting myself out there,” she says as she poses for her cover cameo. Kristen is confident and at ease, despite the normally fear-inducing presence of a large camera. “I’ve realized that there’s no other way to live.” Once a timid player in the business world, when the more-than-annoying lull in the economy hit, Kristen determined that the only way to keep business strong was to become a fearless fighter in the marketing ring. “To be successful in a time like this, you have to put yourself out there more than ever, and you have to know the right people who can get you the most for your money.”

So who are her “right people” that make marketing these 3 businesses possible, and even delightfully successful? Every Edmund Hillary needs a Tenzing Norgay if he’s going to conquer his Mount Everest. “That’s the real story behind my success,” says Kristen, “the people who made it all possible: the Suite 6 Team.”

Inside Suite 6 of the 3 Flags Business Center in Laguna Niguel, two businesses team up in conspiracy against a recession. Their weapon of choice: a triple threat of full-spectrum printing services, multi-purpose marketing outlets, and a classically trained, yet trend-savvy creative design team. Network Print Solutions and The OC Gazette Magazine share a suite, a team roster, a fearless leader, and a mission to “create business success,” as founder/owner Martin Stolzenberg puts it.

“We’re one of a kind,” says Martin. “You can’t find a one-stop shop like ours where you have printers, designers, and marketing specialists working together to meet the full range of your business marketing needs. We offer design agency services at print shop prices.”

“It’s amazing,” says Kristen, “I can bring in a vague idea or chicken scratch on a napkin, and they’ll take it and turn it into exactly what I need!” Network Print Solutions and The OC Gazette allow Kristen to successfully market all three of her businesses, despite their differing needs. Her new business venture, Knockout Tan, needed it’s marketing infrastructure built from the ground up. She utilized Network Print Solutions to create a unique brand for her specialty service: mobile tanning brought right to her clients. Her ideas have been translated into a professional brand campaign that has been applied to business cards, car magnets and print ads. She’s already made dozens of appointments that have resulted in happy customers booking her for tanning parties, the signature product of Knockout Tan.

Kristen also used the Suite 6 Team for Alladerm, an established local family and general practitioner. Her hurdle was to solidify their vague and undefined branding so that they could create consistent marketing tools, and to introduce Alladerm’s newest cosmetic treatments. Kristen put it to Network Print Solutions and their design team to unify the company’s look and create a final brand to be applied to business cards and a print ad for use in The OC Gazette. The team tackled the project, developing a brand package that reflected the business’s desire to “let people’s inner beauty emerge,” as Kristen put it. The owner was thrilled with the final product. Now Alladerm can broaden their client base through finely tuned branding, marketing materials, and ads. You could call it “getting their second wind.”

Kristen’s final project was with her job as Marketing Director at ABC Pilates. ABC Pilates had a strong brand and a loyal client base, but they wanted to get the word out about some of their lesser-known selling points. The Pilates studio’s owner and founder, Amy Cady, wanted to promote ABC Pilates’ position as Southern California’s training center for pre and postnatal Pilates certification, their unique Pilates classes, and their membership opportunities. Network Print Solutions was commissioned to design and print fliers and post cards, mail their post cards to their mailing list, and create an ad campaign through The OC Gazette.

The campaigns have all been successes, making Kristen the hero of her two offices, and her own company’s best asset. “Finding an all-encompassing marketing company where I can get great design tailored to each of my businesses, top quality printing at a competitive rate, and an advertising venue that really works is huge. The time and stress it saves me is invaluable!”

Kristen’s success can be attributed to a journey that started 15 years ago when Martin moved on from an 18-year career in the fashion industry to start a printing company. Martin was an expert at the most basic form of self-marketing: personal style. Whether it’s clothes or brochures, the principals are the same. If you want attention (business or personal), you have to dress the part and stay relevant to your suitors. Martin’s applied that principle to Network Print Solutions, and the resulting business has been both unique and effective.  “We have a group of people working together to make each job the most professional product possible,” says Martin.

Three years ago, Martin widened his gaze and began the local magazine you’re now holding in your hands. “We wanted to become a bigger supporter of our community by creating a local venue for people to share their stories and promote their businesses.” Originally called The Lighthouse Gazette, the magazine was soon renamed The OC Gazette. Today The OC Gazette has South and Central editions that are direct mailed to a total of 100,000 owner-occupied middle-to-high income homes in Orange County. The distribution coverage also includes over 60 rack locations at local hot spots like coffee shops, libraries, and doctor’s offices, and a large online readership of The OC Gazette website and daily blog.

“We are doing something great here,” says Network Print Solutions Production Manager and The OC Gazette Editor Kim Raimann. “When our clients are satisfied, when they love their end product, when an ad works – it’s a great feeling.”

“We’re all about service, service, service,” adds Martin. “Yes, we’re all great at what we do, but what makes the difference is that we’re fabulous to work with.” He’s allowed to talk like this. He’s a blunt and resolved South African who’s been around the world and measured success in his hand more than once. And he’s not the only one who’s standing on The OC Gazette/Network Print Solutions soapbox.

The services offered at Suite 6 have proven to be a huge asset for local businesses. Abraham Lee, Vice President of Nakoma Mortgage Company in Tustin, appreciates the quality of the callers (35 calls last month) he receives from his ads in The OC Gazette, a result of the magazine’s hand-selected demographic and distribution. “Getting a call or a visit on our website from a Gazette reader is like getting a referral from a friend,” says Abraham.

“I'm so impressed with their incredible quality and service,” says Val Westover, an Orange County fine art photographer who prints with Network Print Solutions. “I can't imagine ever using anyone else. I know they have many satisfied customers, but they make us feel like we are their most important client!”

Martin knows that there are many business owners out there who are afraid and unsure about marketing and advertising in a down economy. “The temptation is to cut back on marketing budgets first. This is the biggest mistake you can make. It’s hard, but you have to stay in front of the consumer. Most likely, much of your local competition will be cutting back on their advertising, so this is the perfect time to increase your market share and become a bigger player in your industry.”

Wanda Kent, owner of Salon Sauvage in Laguna Niguel, has experienced the reality of this truth first hand. “When we were first approached with the idea of advertising in The OC Gazette we were hesitant; our past experience with advertising had not been good. But the first day the ad was out, we had new clients calling and we booked 9 new people! It’s now our third month of advertizing and we still book an average of 6 new clients a day! The best part is that those people almost always become regulars.”

Network Print Solutions and The OC Gazette share a design department made up of photographers, graphic designers, illustrators, and creative writers. A benefit of advertising with The OC Gazette is complimentary access to this pool of talents. Don’t have an ad? They’ve got you covered. Need a staff photo? No problem. Need a new spin on your tired, old ad campaign? It’s a synch.

“The OC Gazette surpassed all my expectations,” says Newport Beach Podiatrist and OC Gazette advertiser, Dr. Ivar Roth. “They wrote an excellent editorial piece that captured the essence of my practice; they incorporated truly creative design, and took great photos. I’ve advertised with many local magazines, but The OC Gazette is tops in delivering the goods!” Dr. Roth has gone on to work with Network Print Solutions to explore his marketing options beyond the magazine. This cross media partnership is ideal for business owners who find a marketing solution that works in one venue and want to expand that success in another way. The ease of having your design on file, while working with the same group of people who already understand your style and direction, avoids the confusion and complications brought about by trying to coordinate independent designers and printers.

Network Print Solutions and The OC Gazette extend their commitment to their communities with 4 local chamber memberships and involvement in local events and charities. The businesses have already jointly published and promoted city directories for Rancho Santa Margarita and Laguna Niguel, and are now publishing their 2nd Annual Relay For Life OC Gazette in partnership with American Cancer Society (ACS), a publication with local resources and information concerning ACS services for those affected by cancer, which will be distributed to Relays For Life across Orange County. “We are proud to have The OC Gazette as a partner in the fight against cancer,” says Corrine Castillo, Marketing Communications Manager for ACS in California. “Their hard work continues to support our Orange County Relays For Life, the signature fundraising event that funds life-saving cancer research, free programs and services.”

Every Sir Edmund Hillary needs his Tenzing Norgay. Your Mt. Everest might be redesigning your logo, putting together a catalog, finally making that leap into advertising, or just keeping your sanity while juggling three bustling and thriving jobs (props to you, Kristen). Network Print Solutions and The OC Gazette want to be your trusty Sherpa on your way to the top. “We’ll work our heart out for you,” says Martin emphatically. “Our Suite 6 Team genuinely cares that you get marketing success, quality products, and great service at a competitive price. Just call us your ‘Suite 6 Road to Sweet Success.’”