Donna Maertens and Garrett Bauman have more than 70 years of combined retail experience. After years in the restaurant franchise and consulting industry, Donna decided to open her own business. She spent months diligently researching businesses to own and decided on the mail & print industry for many reasons. The biggest of which was buying into an independent business and not a franchise. Donna's stores are now among the top grossing stores among independents in the industry. Recently Donna learned the company that helped to developed her store was closing due to the passing of the owner. She reached out to their former National Development Director, Garrett Bauman, who worked with her opening her first store. Garrett has opened over 125 mail & print stores nationally and accepted Donna's offer to work together. They then brainstormed on the challenges and oversights of a typical mail & print store and implemented critical upgrades, add-ons and the latest technology to make Turnkey Stores of America's new "turnkey" packages the most state of the art and contemporary in the industry.
Donna Maertens
Owner/Managing Member
"You don't build a business, you build people, then people build the business" - Zig Ziegler
Donna has been in Executive Management for over 40 years. During her career she has held all levels of Executive management for some of the world's largest Fast-Food Restaurants. Donna has helped open over 400 McDonald's, consulted some of the top grossing franchisees in the chain and helped 100's of franchisees learn the fundamental principles of running a million-dollar business. Donna left her company in “2000” and opened a consulting firm that helped franchise owners with the same principles and gave them hands on training including profit and loss, customer service, hiring and employee retention etc.. to maximize their management with proven results in their revenue.
In “2016 Donna opened her 1st Postal Xpress N More, her desire was not to join a franchise, but to open and create her own products and services based on the needs of her community. Donna's core focus is “Customer First” She has grown this business for over 6 years now and opened her 2nd location in November “2021”
Donna offers many services and likes to maximize available additional revenue generators. Donna’s community involvement and work with Operations Gratitude make her a well-respected business in her community.
Donna is excited to now continue her career as Owner of Turnkey Stores of America t/a Mail and Print Stores of America and share her years of experience with new independent store entrepreneurs.
In her personal life, Donna loves spending time with her family, traveling and enjoys meditation for relaxation.
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Garrett Bauman
Owner/Managing Member
"The best way to predict your future is to create it" - Abraham Lincoln
Garrett was the National Development Director for a company that opened independent mailbox stores throughout the country. He opened over 125 stores and oversaw more than 200 nationwide. Thanks to Garrett's experience as a former commercial broker and multiple retail stores owner, he implemented creative and sensible changes to the Mailbox stores including the addition of in-house printing. These changes helped reduce the new stores' failure rate from approximately 15% before he started with that company to under 3%. Additionally, he increased revenue by an average of 25% based on 1st and 2nd year revenues.
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For more than a decade, Garrett owned and operated a chain of well-known clothing boutiques in MD, VA, DC and Las Vegas, NV that were a go-to destination for celebrities and the fashion set. Prior to opening retail stores and restaurants, he was a commercial real estate broker for over a decade, representing some of the country's top retailers.
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Before starting Turnkey Stores of America, he was offering consulting services to the many small businesses that were devastated by lockdowns and mandates. Saving one business at a time was very rewarding to him, as he knows first-hand the hard work, commitment and life dedication it takes to own a business.
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Garrett was born in Queens, NY but grew up just outside of Washington, DC as well as Nassau, Bahamas. A Marine Corps veteran who completed 2 tours. He also traveled the world for almost 3 years with his late wife, after her diagnosis with terminal cancer. Garrett himself is a cancer survivor (currently at the 6 year mark). Garrett honored his wife upon her passing by becoming a monastic novice monk for a short time, and he is also extremely well versed in alternative health care.
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Garrett lives with his life partner Laure. Together they enjoy their dogs, traveling, swimming, sailing, golf, skiing, gardening, antiquing, unique food experiences, cooking (gourmet), alternative medicine, college/professional football, expensive red wine and cheap beer.
Laure Marmontel
Managing Member/Finance and Accounting
"I never dreamed about success, I worked for it" - Estée Lauder
Laure has invested in numerous businesses and commercial real estate. Laure's companies own several multi-family buildings, a marina & resort and a hotel. She also took care of the finances of several high-growth corporations and high net worth individuals. Laure is experienced in tax and retirement strategies and asset management.
Laure is originally from Orléans, France. Laure has earned two Masters Degrees in International Economics & Finance from the University of Miami, FL and Université d’Orléans, France.
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Laure is committed to business and financial education and self development. She enjoys working with and inspiring women on their journey to financial independence and is a co-author of the 2018 Amazon's best seller "Wealth for Women: Conversations with the Team That Creates the Dream. The Top Female Professionals Who Can Help You Get Wealthy in Real Estate (A Message In A Bottle)".
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Laure spends much of her spare time working with others, on finance, brain health and self improvement. She enjoys her family and friends, traveling, gardening, meditation and is an avid believer in alternative medicine and the power of the mind.
RALPH PITTS
National Building Supervisor
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
Ralph Pitts is a seasoned contractor that has built over 165 mailbox stores in addition to many other concepts. With over 40 years of experience, he builds every store with the highest of standards, knowing that each client has made a drastic career change and many their life savings into opening a mailbox store and for that, each client deserves individual attention. His dedication to his craft and his clients, coupled with an unwavering commitment to each stores build, has earned him a reputation as a trusted and reliable contractor Ralph is dedicated to supporting the client and to help them understand the build out process.
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Ralph spends his free time in nature and playing hockey and golfing.