Safeguard By Strong
3/11/2015 Interview
Safeguard By Strongis a local smallbusiness andhas been serving the southern Nevada area, since 1978.
UNLV Purchasing and Contracts recently met with the owners, Randy and Traci Strong to discuss the company’s history and their desire to provide UNLV departments with promotional items. The following is a summary of that interview:
(Q1) Share with us Safeguard By Strong’sstory. How did you get started? Years inbusiness? Local/Small/WBE/MBE? What products and/or services do you provide?
Randy says “My father came to Las Vegas in 1978 to open an independent distributorship that exclusively provided Safeguard manufactured accounting systems, checks and forms to small businesses. I began working for my mother and father in 1985 – over 30 years ago! I later purchased a portion of my father’s business and subsequently purchased the remaining portion when he retired. We are a small Nevada owned business with a total of 4 employees, one of which is my wife Traci. In an effort to better serve our customers, we recently contracted our order processing with Safeguard corporate. This enables Traci and me to spend more time in direct contact with our clients. We pride ourselves in developing relationships with our customers, many of which have been with us for over 30 years! Safeguard has evolved into a business solutions company that specializes in printed and promotional products as well as apparel. We also provide online stores, full color printing and logo design.” Safeguard By Strong sells these various products to accounting firms, local public agencies, small businesses, casinos, educational and financial institutions.
For more information on Safeguard By Strong,visit their websites: and
(Q2) How did you become familiar with business opportunities with UNLV?
According to Randy “We began our business with UNLV over 20 years ago when a computer consultant referred us to UNLV for a highly specialized continuous computer form. UNLV was pleased with the product and service and subsequently offered us an opportunity to bid on the contract to provide NSHE with their custom security checks and bank forms which included the printing over 1 million checks per year! Safeguard has been providing UNLV with printed checks for over 15 years since the initial contract award.” Safeguard By Strong is currently listed in UNLV’s supplier registration system and was notified that a Request For Qualifications solicitation was available for on-call promotional items. Safeguard responded to the request and were awarded a contract as a result of their submittal.
Agreement information and supplier contact information can be located on UNLV’s campus contracts website:
(Q3) To better help the UNLV campus departments understand what Safeguard By Strongoffers, can you offer a few reasons why they should consider doing business with Safeguard By Strong? What sets Safeguard By Strongapart?
Randy said “Safeguard offers top quality products at competitive prices, outstanding personal service and solutions to meet your needs. For these reasons, our customer retention rate exceeds industry standards. Traci went on to say “At Safeguard we consider ourselves an extension of your business and we want to make you look good! Whether you know exactly what you are looking for or need help developing a marketing plan, fundraiser, event, etc. we can help! Our professional staff will take the time to understand your business needs and provide you with products, promotional and marketing solutions that best suit you.”
(Q4) How does Safeguard By Stronginteract with UNLV campus department to assess promotional needs?
Safeguard plans on contacting the various departments to see if they have a need for promotional items. If they do, they will ask them various questions and help brainstorm potential solutions based on what the objective is.
(Q5) In your opinion, what are the major obstacles for small and disadvantaged businesses inLas Vegas and how can UNLV be a part of the solution?
Randy stated that “The obstacle is getting the door opened for an opportunity. By creating and awarding opportunities to select small and disadvantage enterprises, this will in turn help promote the local business community as well as offer fresh opportunities to UNLV that may not have been offered through traditional avenues. Utilizing Safeguard would do just that, creating a “win-win” for both the small business community and UNLV. “Small” should be seen as an avenue for personal attention, service and solutions and not associated with a lack of ability.”
(Q6) The Nevada System of Education has published a Supplier Inclusion statement. What does it mean to you and how would youlike to see it impact the business community serving UNLV?
The Nevada System of Higher Education supports equal opportunity for minority-owned, women-owned, and other small disadvantaged business enterprises (MWDBE) to compete for contracts awarded by NSHE institutions. The NSHE also supports efforts to encourage local businesses to compete for NSHE contracts. In addition, the NSHE supports finding opportunities for such MWDBE and local business concerns to participate as subcontractors or Tier 2 suppliers in large contracts. A “Tier 2 supplier” or subcontractor is a supplier who is contracted for goods or services with the prime contractor, and may include, but is not limited to MWDBE and local business enterprises.
Randy says “Small and minority local business enterprises are a vital part of any community. The role NSHE is taking will not only help promote the very important aspect these businesses play in our community, it will also benefit NSHE through fresh ideas, experience and competition. Utilizing Safeguard will do just that.”
(Q7) What one word or phrase best describes Safeguard By Strong?
Traci said “Providing a solution based approach to your promotional, corporate apparel and print needs through our experience and ideas. At Safeguard, it’s all about you!”