A Thru Z Document Destruction, Inc.

Tom and Merrie Elsberry have filled an untapped niche market in Wyoming. They are the owners of a successful on-site document shredding business, A Thru Z Document Destruction Inc., and they created a marketing company, Jewell and Associates that gives back to the community by helping other businesses find success in on-site document destruction.

The Elsberrys never doubted that they could succeed with their business venture in document shredding. “There is a need for on-site document destruction and it can be done in a small community, said Merrie.”

When the Elsberrys started out in February 2003, they knew that every business is required to prepare and store confidential information. The nature of success generates confidential documents that business owners want to protect or discard securely. Tom and Merrie quickly learned that it isn't only businesses that need this service; individuals also accumulate sensitive documents. For this reason, the Elsberrys forecasted early on that they would have an opportunity to help individuals securely destroy old tax papers, bank records, estate files, and perhaps old business files. Tom and Merrie knew - from their experience working in military intelligence - the importance of properly handling confidential information and documents.

After several months of researching the mobile shredding business, writing the plans, and consulting with professional advisors as well as family members, they decided to take the plunge and fulfill their dream to become entrepreneurs. This involved quitting their full-time jobs (with benefits), selling their home and driving 600 miles to Cheyenne, Wyoming, to set up shop.

During those several months of research and preparation, A Thru Z Document Destruction, Inc., was born. The legal papers were filed and the focus groups and board members were put in place. Tom and Merrie have family in Cheyenne, so that is where they chose to relocate—and to become a viable part of the community by providing a service that until their arrival was being provided only by an out-of-state company that came to the area once a week. A Thru Z serviced its first customer in February 2003, and has been growing by leaps and bounds ever since.

Although their company services businesses and organizations in a small community, they still faced competition. But despite the competition, A Thru Z has continued to grow. As Elsberry explained, “[We] provide the best customer service. All document destruction is performed on site. The truck we use for document destruction has a shredder on board. The customers have an opportunity to witness what is destroyed.”

She added that “the truck…is automated and secure. Documents are never hand fed.”
Instead, the company provides customers locked containers to collect documents throughout the day. The containers are placed in the truck's bin and then passed through to the shredder. “It is a closed system,” said Elsberry. “No one is physically handling the material. And the material is destroyed before we leave the customers' sites.” She said that the automated destruction system “is an added measure of protection for our customers. On top of this, we offer signed business agreements and are on top of regulations, such as HIPPA and other privacy rules.”

The Elsberrys also found a way to service the media-shredding needs of their customers. A separate marketing campaign was launched to inform current and potential customers that A Thru Z Document Destruction, Inc., was capable of securely destroying media such as CDs, floppy discs, audio and video tapes, and small quantities of x-rays.

Also, A Thru Z is responsibly disposing of the shredded paper, which can be a challenge in a small community. Since Cheyenne and Laramie no longer have adequate recycling facilities to handle their volume, the Elsberrys looked for an alternative plan. From day one, it was their goal to never take any of the end product to the local landfill, which was nearing capacity. So the search for adequate warehouse space and a baler began. It didn't take long for them to “fall into” the deal of a lifetime. The unfortunate closing of a local company allowed them to barter for a baler and continued to fulfill the commitment of recycling all of the end product.

Giving Back to the Community: The Jewell & Associates Story
The focus on the security of the service remains very critical. So does a commitment to give back to the community through Chamber membership and participation, as well as being very active Kiwanians. In March 2004, Tom and Merrie were nominated to participate in the New Business Challenge, to which they submitted the A thru Z Document Destruction Company's business and marketing plan. As a result, the company was awarded $30,000 in products and in-kind services from local vendors. Merrie Elsberry said, “The award was not only cash. It includes many services, such as accounting, banking, printing, and the services of an attorney.”