Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Hite.
Hi Tom, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hite photo was started in 1924 by my grandfather. We are celebrating 102 years in business this year. My brother Don Hite and I are 3rd generation and are based in West Bloomfield. Don’s daughter Julia is 4th generation and manages our Bloomfield Hills location. Our company picked up and delivered film to over 800 drug stores in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. Developed the film and ran it all back the next day. Hite over night jingle and ads were well known throughout the 50s, 60s and 70s. Hite Photo introduced the 1st over night color developing and the 1st double prints with “Bonus Photo”. In the 80s we had the 1st one hour lab located in the new center area of Detroit on Milwaukee Ave.
The industry and Hite Photo continue to change rapidly. Film and digital cameras have faded away and the industry has exploded with the many things you can do with images from your phone. There are hundreds of surfaces and items that can be personalized and printed. Fabric, aluminum, acrylic, wood, canvas, watercolor papers just to name a few. With our new UV printers and laser etching machines we can print or inscribe just about anything. We also offer full service press printing for business cards, brochures, signage and more. We encourage our guest to shop local. We also have online ordering at hitephoto.com and ship anywhere nation wide.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The industry changes constantly. Learning the new tech and buying the new equipment is both interesting and challenging.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
What we are most proud of is, our reputation in the industry. We do everything “in house” and have 0% loss rate.
Our most popular service is archiving. Everyone has a story to tell. We archive everything a you could possible find in the basement or else where. Many places offer these services but they out lab and dangerously ship these one of a kind priceless items, risking loss forever. We reduce stress and help people sleep better knowing their memories will be safe for future generations to come.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Join your city’s Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club or Optimist club. Fastest easiest way to meet many like minded quality people.
Pricing:
- We will meet or beat any written quote
- We offer trade with non profit groups
- Free scanning for Veterans of any historic prints or slides and free upload to the National Archives
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hitephoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hitephoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hitephoto
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/hitephoto
