On Thursday, Steve Parker celebrated his 69th birthday. The national account manager for Coast to Coast Computer Products still loves his job, because it keeps his mind sharp. His body is another thing entirely. He lost his leg in an accident while riding his Harley, and he received a kidney transplant in 2020 (he remains a thrill seeker, however). He calls himself the Six Billion Dollar Man, because of inflation. Ironically, the original Six Million Dollar Man TV show ended as Parker’s career was beginning, during the Carter Administration.
Besides, Parker doesn’t see his line of business as work. He loves goal setting, attaining them and pushing his ambitions to greater heights, following the perceive-believe-achieve mantra. He is an ardent fan of motivational speakers, from Jim Rohn to Zig Ziglar, Tom Hopkins to Tony Robbins, and Debbie Fields to Charlton Heston. He finds inspiration in their teachings. They stir his passion for succeeding by having a vision and executing on it.
“My enjoyment is I continue to do what I’m doing, continue to set goals and try to achieve them every day, every week, every month,” said Parker, a 2026 ENX Magazine Difference Maker. “My retirement goals aren’t really set as of yet, but I do have a plan to slow down a little bit and enjoy life, which I do. I can travel anywhere I want, so it’s not like I have to work. I get to work!”
Ziglar is definitely a favorite of his—a man of faith, driving people to become the best versions of themselves; believing that by helping others achieve what they want, one’s own goals will be realized. That became his reality in 2003, when Coast to Coast owner Rick Roussin offered to buy Parker’s ink/toner and supplies business, Imaging Supply Centers, which he’d operated for more than 20 years. Parker accepted and joined Roussin’s company.
Twenty-three years later, he still sees it as the best decision he’s ever made. The man who purchased his company turned out to be Parker’s biggest supporter and another great source of inspiration.
“Rick told me I’d be better off working for him, that I could make over a million dollars,” Parker added. “I was skeptical, but in my first four years with his company, I made over a million dollars. He saw my potential at the time, even though I couldn’t.”
It’s clear that Parker loves his clients, and judging by his high retention rate, the feeling is mutual. It’s important to keep business simple for them, to offer what they need, when they need it, at a fair price. He loves hearing their stories and sharing his own, relating with them on a personal, warm level. Parker is an open book, and as a result, clients feel comfortable letting their guard down.
He may be 69, but Parker has the curiosity and enthusiasm of a person just getting started in business. AI has taught him better ways of doing things, and he’s fully embraced the technology. The sales game and the buying landscapes have changed dramatically over the last 40 years, but Parker’s willingness to adopt new ideas, hone his selling skills and not cling to old ways have served him well.
“Paper and supplies is still a huge market but it’s really different now, more of a niche market now as more people lean toward digital,” he said. “Printing is not as prevalent as it used to be, but it’s not going to stop anytime soon. So I feel blessed to still be in this business.”
Born and raised in Hollywood, California, Parker is an avid fan of the Los Angeles sports teams—Dodgers, Lakers and Kings. He’s an adventure seeker who learned underwater diving at the request of his future wife (they’re divorced but still good friends). They’ve traveled the world above and beneath the surface, exploring Key West, Cancun, Maui, Oahu and the Philippines, among other exotic locations.
“I’ve seen all kinds of sharks and humpback whales, everything you can imagine,” he noted. “When I was a novice diver, a tiger shark passed by us. At the time I didn’t realize how aggressive they could be, but this one just kept on going. We’ve gone on some amazing journeys.”
The high school version of me wanted to be an: Accountant
Celebrities you have met: The Rat Pack (minus Frank Sinatra), Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Don Henley, Stevie Nicks, Paul McCartney, Phil Collins
Favorite book or movie: Goodfellas
Favorite food: Sushi
Person you’d most like to meet: Michael Jackson
Dream vacation destination: Seychelles
Guilty pleasure: Chocolate
Most prized possession: My dog
