NEWS & INFORMATION - Article Detail

This week, we feature Planet Shred Records Management of Wall, with owners John G. Cody, Tara M. Cody and John Cody Sr.

 

Why did you start the business? The daily grind of commuting from the Shore to New York City where I was vice president/director of regional marketing associates for a prominent investment firm left me precious little time to enjoy my family. And so in 2008 I began to look seriously into what type of business I'd like to own. I knew my father, who had recently retired from the same Wall Street firm, was available to join me to run the sales side. And after looking into a number of various types of businesses, I struck on the document destruction business and formed Planet Shred LLC in October 2008.

 

The enormous amount of confidential information that the public provides to various businesses and how it is (and sometimes isn't) properly secured as required by law, attracted us to this industry. Identity theft should be a major concern to all businesses that handle confidential information. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that as many as 10 million Americans have their identity stolen each year.

 

It was my plan to begin with document destruction and then to broaden it to records management which would include records storage and document imaging, and so we formed Planet Shred Records Management LLC in Oct 2010.

 

If you could do it again, what would you do differently? If I knew then what I know now, I would have started this business at least five years sooner. Don't get me wrong, I learned a lot in my time in the investment business and it was very rewarding, but the trade-off of being closer to home and working with my family - not only my father, but my wife, sister, brother-in-law and cousin are all part of Planet Shred - makes it really special. In fact, we like to say Planet Shred is not just a family-owned business, but it's a family-operated business, as well.
 

 

What's the best business advice you have ever received? It's a tie. My mentor in the investment business used to say "Create a business plan and stick to it", and my father has always said "Treat our clients with the same respect that we expect from our vendors."

 

What personality trait helps you the most?We pride ourselves on being upfront and honest with our clients - no surprises. We also do our level best to listen to what they need. It was largely from that latter point that we expedited the launch of our records storage business in that so many of our clients gave us positive feedback when we asked them about how they store their records.

 

What's the hardest part of the job? When doing a shred job, the location of client files can be challenging at times . . . from hundreds of file boxes in an attic with only pull-down stairs for access, to hundreds in a basement with a ceiling height less than 5feet! Regardless, we always get the job done.

 

The easiest? We're fortunate that our client base is composed mostly of professional firms. We have a large core of medical practices, law firms, accountants, financial services organizations, etc. They expect quality service at a reasonable price and that's what we deliver.

 

What's your least expensive product or service? Records storage is our least expensive service when compared to alternatives. Our storage prices in most cases are lower than commercial self-storage, and allow office space to be more effectively allocated to revenue generating functions. Also, our drop-off shredding service is only a fraction of the cost charged by some large chain stores that specialize in office supplies or shipping.

 

The most expensive? Document imaging - but it's competitive within the industry. More often than not, however, it's actually more cost-effective for the client to use our records storage service rather than opt for scanning of old files, but of course it's ultimately their decision. One of the key considerations is how frequently they'll need to access those records. If not very often, then records storage is the better option.

 

When you leave the business, what will you do? That's too far off to even think about, but I'd probably stay on to help my son when hopefully he takes over the business. It's been my dream that Planet Shred continues to be a successful family business for many years to come.

 

In one sentence, tell us why customers should shop here. Outstanding service provided at competitive prices, offered with a smile.

 

What do you love about the community in which your business is located? Wall Township is ideally located for quick access to our target market - Monmouth and Ocean counties.