Paul Orfalea

Paul Orfalea [pronounced OR-Fah-La] founded Kinko's in 1970 near the University of California at Santa Barbara with a simple idea: provide college students with products and services they need at a competitive price. The space that Orfalea rented for his copy business was so small the copy machine had to be lugged out onto the sidewalk. From its modest beginnings, Kinko's is now the world's leading business services chain. Today, there are over 1100 Kinko's worldwide.

Much of Kinko's success can be traced directly to Orfalea's unique business philosophy that was based on the founder's freethinking, creative style. Orfalea's theories and instincts on how to operate a successful business were grounded in his passion for retailing, his insistence on taking care of his co-workers and customers and a sharp eye for opportunity. Through Paul Orfalea's leadership, Kinko's has taken an exemplary leading role in environmental responsibility.  

Orfalea encouraged active participation from all 25,000 co-workers and generous incentive programs were implemented to stimulate creativity. In fact, co-workers at every level were encouraged to share ideas freely in organizational decisions. A reflection of this success is that Fortune Magazine selected Kinko's as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work With in America" for three years in a row. Forbes Magazine also ranked Kinko's 84th on its year 2000 "Forbes 500 Biggest Private Companies". Working Mother magazine listed Kinko's in its Best Companies for Working Mothers 2001 issue.

The year 2000 brought about many changes for Orfalea as he retired from his position as Kinko's Chairperson, and assumed the role as Chairperson Emeritus for Kinko's Inc. He refers to his "retirement" as being "repurposed" and is now involved in a range of activities.

One of those ventures is the formation of the Orfalea Family Foundation, which supports various philanthropic areas. Orfalea, his family, and Kinko's have a long history of supporting educational initiatives including scholarships and child development programs. Grants have been concentrated in California, especially child development facilities on college campuses, along with other centers and programs for underprivileged youth. The foundation specifically focuses on early care and education, caregiver training and intergenerational programs. The Orfaleas also support organizations addressing "learning distinctions", those challenged by different learning styles.

Another of Paul Orfalea's efforts is to increase public awareness of the important need for corporate responsibility by businesses to support "family friendly" work life policies including flex time and quality early care for children of working parents. Orfalea is working with government leaders to encourage businesses and educational institutions to provide these benefits to co-workers and students.

Orfalea is in high demand for public speaking, often addressing business organizations, such as entrepreneurs and working women, with his inspirational messages. He frequently lectures at University of Southern California, (his alma mater), UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, as well as various community and state colleges, and he has taught at NYU, Princeton and Wharton School of Business among others. Both USC and Cal Poly plan to dedicate business schools in the Orfalea name in honor of his ongoing contributions.

Both People and Fortune magazines profiled Orfalea as one of several prominent leaders who has overcome dyslexia and gone on to have illustrious careers. Other recent prestigious awards are the 1998 Entrepreneur of the Year award from the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business; the 2000 Philanthropist of the Year by the Network of California Community Colleges; and in 2001 the Conrad Hilton Entrepreneur award, the Beta Gamma Sigma Medallion for Entrepreneurship, the Salvation Army's "Sally Award", along with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Despite all of these high profile activities, you will find Paul Orfalea very down to earth, friendly, compassionate and continually curious about the world around him - he is a true modern adventurer.