A lot has happened for Ross Berlatsky in the last 12 years.
The St. Joseph resident secured a job at Illinois American Water, he got married and has kids.
But the one thread that has remained consistent since he was 19 was an interest in print and advertising.
Berlatsky got his start when a family member was selling a wide-format printer that allowed him to begin a small operation that quickly turned commercial.
He quickly partnered with his father-in-law, Tom Rushing. Both men hold full-time jobs; Rushing is a firefighter in Urbana.
In their spare time, Berlatsky and Rushing work to help businesses find creative ways to advertise their products.
Their business, RT Graphics & Printing, became a one-stop shop for wide format printing, banners, signs, vehicle wraps and wall graphics in East Central Illinois.
“The list is endless on what we can actually do,” Berlatsky said.
Rushing’s work schedule, 24-hours on, 48-hours off, helps provide time for orders to be filled in a timely manner. Berlatsky said a partnership with his father-in-law also allows for him to be near to his family while he’s working.
“It works out perfectly,” Berlatsky said. “Our shop is at his house, and I can bring my wife and kids over there and they can run around while they are with grandma and grandpa.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Providing those products and services in the community he grew up in is an added bonus.
“There’s no better spot to have a small business like we operate, with the customer base that we have,” Berlatsky said. “All our customers are loyal.”
Berlatsky said that about 95-percent of their business is local.
“We get new business through a lot of word of mouth,” he said. “Another thing that helps us operate the way that we do is just knowing that we have loyalty of friends and family putting the word out for us.”
The duo focuses on producing quality products that leave customers happy.
“If they’re happy, we know that they’ll come back for more business,” he said.
During the COVID-19 stay-at-home order, Berlatsky knew that he could do something more for businesses that were hurting. Within days of Gov. Pritzker’s order, RT Graphics & Printing offered 20-percent off banners and other advertising needs.
They received an order from Red Lobster in Champaign for a sign reading “Take Out and Delivery Available” and had it made within five hours.
By March 20, they asked their Facebook followers to nominate two restaurants that RT Graphics & Printing should buy gift cards from. Berlatsky and Rushing then drew names and bought the gift cards for those who commented.
“I always like to do little things for whoever I can,” Berlatsky said. “It doesn’t have to be a small business, it can be a family.
“Even though that there’s a lot of people affected by what’s going on, us being one of them, it’s still a good feeling. To be able to just do something to help support, even if it’s not local, it could be anywhere.
“Illinois is not the only state suffering through this. It’s just a good feeling to be able to give back.”
