Family Business Excellence: Interstate Office Products Shines Bright!
Dec. 4, 2024
This is a sponsored message brought to you by Prairie Family Business Association.
Picture this: the Gaspar family, cruising from Sioux Falls to Huron, not just for a road trip, but for a heartfelt journey reflecting their family legacy. Their destination? Honoring LaVonne Gaspar, a matriarch whose decades-long dedication to healthcare and advocacy recently earned her the coveted Spirit of Dakota award.
“As we drove, we couldn’t help but discuss our own family business,” shares James Gaspar – a proud third-generation leader at Interstate Office Products, the brainchild of his grandfather, Ken Gaspar, who founded it back in 1971. “Just before our trip, we learned our family business was under consideration for an award from the Prairie Family Business Association. So, we were busy preparing our submission while celebrating LaVonne’s achievements.”
After a deep family discussion on the successes and hurdles they’ve faced over the past decade, they hit send on their application. The very next week, they received the incredible news: they had been selected for recognition.
Established in 2003, the Prairie Family Business Association’s annual Boyd Hopkins Sr. Excellence in Family Business Award celebrates the vital role family-owned enterprises play in our economy and community. This prestigious accolade honors multigenerational businesses that showcase practices positively impacting local commerce and the wider community, and has been named in honor of Boyd Hopkins Sr. since 2010.
“We couldn’t be more excited to recognize the Gaspar family for their unwavering commitment to family business success,” exclaimed Stephanie Larscheid, executive director of the Prairie Family Business Association. “Their journey has been one of evolution, resilience, and consistent excellence, ensuring they are well-positioned for the future.”
The first person the Gaspar family called to share their award news? Ken, the family’s visionary founder.
“This award is for you, Dad,” said Sheila Casiello, the second-generation CEO of Interstate Office Products. “We shared the exciting news that Grandma had won her award and now he had won his, too,” James chimed in.
For Ken Gaspar, entrepreneurship began as a quest to secure a livelihood rather than simply chase growth. Interstate Office Products was born from Ken and two former colleagues, Lyle Christensen and Garry Scott, who saw a need and seized the opportunity.
Named for its tri-state service area, Interstate Office Products opened its doors at 2308 E. 10th St., growing hand in hand with the burgeoning business community in the metro region.
“That first year, we exceeded our expectations,” recalled Ken. “We had sets goals from our supplier Steelcase, and we rolled up our sleeves to get the job done.”
From the start, the partnership with industry leader Steelcase proved pivotal, he noted.
“Timing can be everything,” Ken remarked, recalling how a pivotal conversation changed their course. “Had we waited just one more day, things might have turned out very differently.”
That kind of serendipity also played a role when his son Gary and daughter-in-law Theresa decided to join the family business in the early ’90s. They were happily ensconced in corporate finance in the Twin Cities—completely unaware that fate was about to intervene.
“We were about to hire someone for a leadership role when she unexpectedly declined,” Ken recalled. “That evening, Gary called to say they’d discussed it and wanted to come back and work with us.”
The stars aligned, and Gary returned to Sioux Falls the very next day, stepping into a leadership role just as the business was poised for a new chapter. By the time Ken retired in 2000, the next generation had successfully acquired nearly a third of the company, with Gary stepping in as CEO and Sheila as president.
“Back in the early ’70s, we never envisioned becoming a multigenerational business,” Ken admitted. “It’s astonishing how far they’ve taken it since my retirement.”
Meet Today’s Interstate Office Products
Today, with a dedicated team of 40, Interstate Office Products has weathered many storms, including the heartbreaking loss of Gary in 2022.
“His absence leaves a significant void,” Sheila reflected. “Soon after, Theresa, our longtime CFO, decided to retire, pushing us to transition into new roles. But true to our family values, everyone stepped up and got things done.”
As a family and leadership team, James emphasized, “Whenever we face a challenge, we take a moment to pause, reassess, and strategize our path forward.”
In 2022, Sheila’s son Antonio joined the IOP family, bringing fresh energy and a background in accounting, eager to learn all aspects of the business.
“I’m here to help, so please utilize me,” Antonio said. “It’s been a fantastic opportunity to learn and contribute wherever I can.”
Thanks to their unwavering commitment, IOP is on track for yet another record-breaking year, according to James.
“Despite the overall decline in construction locally, we’ve increased our market share, building a reputation for tackling large projects and earning trust along the way,” he explained.
At IOP, reliability is the name of the game.
“We live by the mantra—do what you say you’re going to do,” James asserted. “Our employees hold themselves accountable, fostering a culture of trust and mutual respect.”
This ethos resonates across generations, Sheila noted.
“When James and Antonio promise something to a customer or team member, they deliver,” she emphasized. “That builds trust and credibility, reinforcing our shared commitment to excellence.”
As the third generation steps up, the Prairie Family Business Association has become an invaluable resource.
James and Antonio are proud members of the Affinity Peer Groups.
“It’s been a fantastic opportunity to engage with others in similar family business roles,” James shared. “There’s a unique understanding of family dynamics that comes into play.”
For Antonio, “It’s been incredibly positive,” he said. “I absorb so much from my peers, many of whom have been in their businesses longer than I have.”
The Gaspar family credits their success to a broader team, filled with talented individuals who have dedicated years of service to IOP.
“It’s remarkable,” Ken exclaimed. “We have a wealth of talent and many long-term team members, and our turnover rate is impressively low.”
James affirmed that his father would echo those sentiments.
“He would be immensely proud of our Boyd Hopkins Sr. Award and the dedication of our team,” James stated. “He always recognized the hard work that goes into achieving success—it’s a collective effort.”
A shared commitment to quality and excellence is what binds the IOP family together, according to Sheila.
“Quality is paramount for our team. They’re professionals who genuinely care, and we hope they feel our appreciation in return,” she said warmly. “At IOP, everyone is family, regardless of blood ties.”
Interested in discovering how to join an Affinity Peer Group and empower your family business? Reach out to the Prairie Family Business Association at [email protected], or click here to take the next step in securing your family business’s legacy.
