By KEVIN CHIRI
Slidell news bureau
SLIDELL – We’re all familiar with the well-known line: “Jack of all trades, master of none.”
In the case of Burt Kemp, however, you can drop the second part of that.
Kemp is certainly a “jack of all trades,” but you can hardly call the Slidell businessman “master of none.”
For that matter, Kemp has not only had his hand in a multitude of different jobs during his professional life, but he has done well in every one.
Now he can add “printing company” to the mix.
Kemp recently completed a deal with Gary Gammon to purchase the 4G Printing business in Slidell, a 35-year fixture in Olde Towne that was started by Niles and Clara Gammon as a family business that drew in their kids, Gary, Gregg and Gayle Gammon.
Niles and Clara Gammon passed away as the years went by, leaving Gary and his wife Jennifer as the familiar faces at 4G in recent years, keeping the business going thanks to a supportive community that Gammon greatly appreciates.
“If it was not for the Slidell community this business wouldn’t have made it,” he said. “They supported us and we have always done the same by supporting other local businesses. It’s enabled us to have our own business and make a living.”
Gammon said there were several key reasons 4G Printing has survived and prospered in the age of national corporations coming into small towns.
“We always offered free delivery and pickup, and we give people the kind of local, personal service you don’t get with national companies,” he said. “And we’ve always had competitive prices—I think we only had three price increases in 35 years.”
Finally deciding it was time to contemplate retirement, Gary and Jennifer put 4G up for sale and quickly had several interested parties. Kemp won out with his interest for a business that could compliment several other businesses he and his wife currently operate.
“This is a business that can tie together some of my other businesses,” he said. “There is a lot we can do with 4G, not to mention plans to expand the tech side in the future.”
Kemp, originally from New Orleans, came to Slidell in 1981 since his wife’s grandfather owned land here and offered them an inexpensive place to stay if they would keep an eye on the property.
He began working as an auto parts warehouse manager, then was hired by Dan Quirk, owner of the Slidell Ford dealership, where Kemp headed the auto service department. From there he was hired by Ronnie Lamarque for a Mandeville service department.
Kemp also worked in outside sales for a chemical supply company and auto parts supply company, leading him to put on “thank you” luncheons for some of their clients.
“I started cooking jambalaya and then other things for the luncheons,” Kemp said. “Pretty soon I was getting calls just to do catering for special events since they liked my food so much.”
That led to opening Jambalaya & Company, a Cajun creole seafood and smoked meats business that does catering, specialty meats and many other items to go.
“Not only can we cater your event with the food, but I branched off into offering a D.J., tables, and anything to put an event on,” he said.
His wife was always involved with horses and finally wanted to build their own stables, leading to the Equestrian Therapy Center of Slidell, which also offers a bed and breakfast on their property off Live Oak Road.
As if all those businesses weren’t enough, Kemp and his son, Burt Kemp V, opened Northlake Connection IT, a tech service company. He saw 4G Printing as a way to fill in the gaps for several of his business ventures that are seasonal.
“Most of the catering is in the spring and then the fall, so I have some periods of time when I’m not as busy,” he said. “We always got our printing done by Gary after he bought out Grannan Printing and when we saw he was selling I was immediately interested.”
Kemp pointed to a story from Gammon that indicates the advantage in using 4G Printing.
“I look back on the years of our business at 4G and always thought I kind of saved the lives of some secretaries or office managers,” Gammon said. “I got so many calls from them who said ‘I was supposed to order this last week and now I’m going to get in trouble if I don’t have these supplies.’ So I had many times I would immediately do their work and run it right over to them.
“I kind of saw it as saving their lives,” he added with a laugh.
Kemp said he will continue that personal service, aided by the fact Gary and Jennifer are still working at 4G for a while to train him in all aspects of their business.
“One thing I learned in all my years of sales is that you can really help people if you become a one-stop shop for what they need,” Kemp said. “With our tech service company joining with the printing business, we will be able to do a lot for you in the office.”
4G Printing continues to operate at 2141 First St. in Olde Towne, or you can call 985-649-4305 for more information.