George Watson's entrepreneurial spirit hit him at 52. He was looking for work and wasn't finding the suitable employment he was seeking. Watson -- who grew up in Hanford -- decided to take a leap of faith and step out on his own.

It began when he opened Copy Connection in 2002, a postal and communication service, located at 1820 W. Lacey Blvd.

His most recent business leap is Postal Connection, also a postal and communication service, located at Fargo Crossing at 11th and Fargo avenues.

May 19 was the shop's official opening date. The store's hours are weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and closed on Sundays.

"We wanted to give the northern part of town access to a place where they can go to send out packages without having to go all the way downtown," said Watson.

Margie Watson has been married to George for 32 years, as well as being his business partner.

"We saw a need on the north side of town," she said. "We are close to a few apartments in the area. It's really difficult for the residents of The Remington, being that they are seniors, to get into town so we thought we would fill a need in this area."

Postal Connection offers color copies, digital copies, large format copies, notary, passport photos, shipping, mail services, fax service, binding and laminating as well as an authorized shipper for USPS, FEDEX and DHL.

What makes Postal Connection different?

"We wanted to make our business different and interesting for people to come in to," said Margie Watson. "Our goal is to make it pleasant for people as they wait in our store."

The store sells animal bracelets that come complete with an animal case.

"We want our customers to feel good and enjoy being here," she added.

"I'm thrilled to have Postal Connection be so close to me," said Tracy Lassister, a local resident of Edgewater Apartments off of 11th Avenue. "It will be nice to not have to drive far."

Prior to opening Copy Connection and Postal Connection, George Watson worked as an accounting coordinator at Standard Register, a printing and shipping business, for 31 years.

The company closed down six years ago, which led Watson to seek employment.

"Things have changed from what they used to be," he said. "You are never secure in the job world. I never thought of owning my own business. It's strange how it worked out."

Watson, 58, is excited that after three decades he's his own boss.

"When I used to work for other people," he said, "I always felt that I could be a good boss."

Vanessa Johns, a sophomore at West Hills College Lemoore, loves working at the store.

"George is a great boss," Johns said. "He is always telling me how great I'm doing."

"Our objective is to be a service to the people in this area," he added.

(July 4, 2008)