Glendale Heights printer excels at labels

Ken Harvanek started printing labels in his garage for small cosmetic companies more than 30 years ago.

Working from his Glendale Heights home at night, he started out with one customer while working for a printing company during the day. He eventually quit his day job to devote all his time to his own venture.

After three business expansions, Harvanek, 59, now operates S&K Label Co. in Bloomingdale, where he has a customer base of more than 2,570 and eight employees.

The thrust of the growing business is assisting cosmetic and beauty companies design and print labels. He creates everything from the little round stickers on the bottom of a lipstick case to labels for salons selling hair care products.

"There's so many small cosmetic companies out there," Ken said. He often works with companies advertising on the Home Shopping Network.

S&K Label, which has operated in Wheaton and Lombard, is expanding and working with the food and beverage industry.

"We're a customized printing house," said Harvanek, who resides in Bloomingdale with his wife, Gail. He says ink is in his family's blood. His father was a printer and now his son, Michael, is assisting in running the operation.

Harvanek recalls when he was working in the garage, his son was by his side in his playpen. "He grew up in it," Harvanek said.

"It's now a father-son business. It's a great partnership," Harvanek said. His son, 28, resides in Aurora.

What's one tip Harvanek would give to entrepreneurs just starting out? "Never give up and treat customers like family," he said.

The business owner said he's never had a salesman. "We've grown by word of mouth," Harvanek said.

He started in the industry at the age of 18 and worked for 14 years before making his company a full-time venture.

Harvanek said he has grown with the industry and has recently added new digital equipment to produce higher quality labels.

Harvanek still enjoys his job. "I love coming to work in the morning," he said.

For more, call (630) 307-2577 or check out www.sklabel.com.

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