When Dean graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1993, he had no idea his career would take him to the sunny shores of Florida, where he would help build a startup known as LexJet that would one day become S-One. After a conversation with Ron Simkins, who was both a family member and mentor, Dean decided to take the plunge and move south to join the team at LexJet. Little did he know he was beginning a lifelong journey filled with challenges, growth, and success.
Alongside Dean was his college friend, Angie Gruss, who officially joined the team in 1995. With a background in textiles and design, Angie was eager to apply her skills to the world of digital printing. Together, Dean and Angie took on a variety of roles within the company, from marketing to IT support to customer service. “We did whatever was needed to get the job done,” Angie recalls. “Back then, there was no such thing as job descriptions—we just pitched in.”
The team operated out of a small office with a makeshift setup that reflected the company’s startup status. Their “office door” was nothing more than a shower curtain decorated with goldfish, and their workspace was filled with the sounds of fax machines and manual order processing. “It was quirky and definitely not glamorous,” Dean laughs. “But we were all so passionate about what we were doing that we made it work.”
They quickly established a reputation for going above and beyond for their clients, and that dedication to customer service set LexJet apart from its competitors. “Our goal was to make sure that every customer felt heard and supported,” says Dean. “It wasn’t just about selling products—it was about building relationships.”
As LexJet began to grow, so did the responsibilities of Dean, Angie, and the rest of the team. They were no longer just fulfilling orders and troubleshooting issues—they were helping shape the company’s direction. “We had a front-row seat to LexJet’s evolution,” Angie says. “It was exciting to see how our efforts were contributing to the company’s growth.”
Looking back, Dean and Angie credit those early years with teaching them the importance of adaptability and innovation. “We learned how to pivot quickly and think on our feet,” says Dean. “That’s a skill that has served us well as the company has continued to evolve.” Today, they look back on those early days with pride, knowing that their hard work and dedication helped build the foundation for everything that S-One is today.