It’s been 25 years since Thomas Fimian brought his family to the United States from Switzerland. Ever since he was a child, Fimian hoped to one day own his own business, and in America, he saw the genesis of an opportunity to put those dreams into action.
The choice wasn’t all that difficult—after all, Fimian’s wife, Corina, longed to live and work in the United States. But truth be known, the office technology dealership wasn’t part of that vision. But upon arriving, one of Fimian’s new neighbors introduced him to a local Xerox sales agent. Fimian’s IT sales background dovetailed nicely, and after six years of learning on the job, he acquired a Xerox agency in Charleston, South Carolina.
Just like that, Fimian was an owner. He grew Docugraphics into a force in the Carolinas, with eight offices. The rest of the story continues to be written, and this 2021 ENX Magazine Difference Maker couldn’t be happier.
“Building a business from the ground up is an exciting endeavor,” Fimian observed. “Since I always dreamed of owning my own business and being in control of the customer experience, seeing it all come together and prosper is incredibly exciting.”
Discovering the office technology realm may have been pure coincidence, but Fimian came to America with more than a dream. He developed a strategic vision based on quality, white-glove service. An optimist at heart, Fimian entrusts his team to follow a principled business model based on values. Assembling a team that is fully invested in the model enables him to focus on the strategic areas of Docugraphics’ business.
It’s a formula that has served Fimian, his clients and business alike well. “Recognizing that working with a diverse team where creativity and various ideas are valued will ultimately lead to a better organization,” he added.
Continuous Learning
Fimian’s learning process didn’t take a break when he took the helm of Docugraphics in 2002. He’s derived valuable insights from the Business Technology Association’s Dealers Helping Dealers Discussion Group. He also serves on Xerox’s Agent Advisory Council and leverages all opportunities to expand his understanding of the industry.
“Being exposed to, and sharing, best practices among our peers is a never-ending source of new ideas and benchmarks on what works and what doesn’t,” Fimian added.
As rocky as 2020 proved to be for Docugraphics, Fimian is proud that he was able to keep the entire team intact without cutting jobs, pay or benefits. On the contrary, the firm garnered enough momentum to pull the trigger on the acquisition of a Xerox dealer in Hickory, North Carolina, and the team continues to push toward the launch of its new managed IT business.
Looking forward, Fimian has set ambitious goals, including a drive to reach $25 million in annual revenue by 2025. Keeping customers and employees happy and productive is a priority that will go a long way toward Docugraphics realizing its goal. The Fimians have two daughters, Lisa and Lena, and they love to travel and explore the great outdoors. In addition to enjoying family time, Fimian loves to read, run, listen to music and sample great food.
