Day 12. Paul Orfalea The Kinko’s Revolution.

Today we celebrate Paul Orfalea, the Lebanese American entrepreneur who revolutionized the print and copy industry by founding Kinko’s—a company that became synonymous with convenient printing and copying services for decades.

A Vision Born from Challenge

Paul Orfalea was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1947 to a family of Lebanese immigrants. Diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD, he struggled academically throughout his school years. Yet, he found strength in his creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.

In 1970, with just $5,000 in startup money, Orfalea opened the first Kinko’s near the campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara. Named after his curly hair—earning him the nickname “Kinko”—the small shop offered photocopying services to students. The concept quickly grew in popularity, and Orfalea soon expanded his business to serve professionals and small businesses.

Transforming the Copy Industry

What made Kinko’s successful wasn’t just its services, but Orfalea’s customer-centric philosophy. He believed in making services accessible, convenient, and reliable. At its peak, Kinko’s had over 1,200 locations worldwide and became a hub for printing, copying, and business solutions.

“My learning differences didn’t hold me back—they helped me see the world differently. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to turn an idea into a revolution.”

In 2004, FedEx acquired Kinko’s for $2.4 billion, and the company was rebranded as FedEx Office. Orfalea used his success to support education initiatives and advocate for entrepreneurial training programs.

Empowering the Next Generation

Paul Orfalea’s story is a powerful example of turning challenges into opportunities. He continues to speak and write about entrepreneurship, emphasizing that perseverance and creativity are more important than traditional measures of intelligence.

Where to Learn More About Paul Orfalea

📚 Books:

• Copy This!: Lessons from a Hyperactive Dyslexic who Turned a Bright Idea into One of America’s Best Companies, by Paul Orfalea

🎥 Videos & Interviews:

• Leap TV: Catch clips of Paul Orfalea sharing his experiences with education
• Founders Podcast

🌐 Explore His Story Online:

• Kinko’s: A Great American Success Story
• Paul Orfalea: Creating the Kinkos’ Brand

Reflection

Paul Orfalea’s story is an inspiring testament to the power of resilience and thinking differently. His journey reminds us that sometimes, our greatest challenges can become our greatest strengths.

💬 How can we embrace diverse ways of thinking to fuel innovation and success?
💬When entrepreneurs amplify their own differences, how can that shape the conversation of difference and diversity in business?

Tomorrow, join us in the kitchen as we share Anissa Helou’s work to share the culinary history of Arab culture.

Learn more: Find information about Paul’s early days at Kinko’s, his speaking engagements, and learn about his own struggles with learning disabilities.

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#UU #UUA #CelebrateDiversity #30DaysOfHonoringArabAmericans #ArabAmerican #ArabAmericanHeritageMonth #PaulOrfalea #Kinkos #SuccessStory