Nick Gawreluk didn’t just stumble into the printing industry—he built a career, a global perspective, and now, a company around it. What started in a high school graphic arts program has evolved into Print Profit, a software platform designed to help printing businesses of all sizes see their numbers clearly and act with confidence. Backed by a deep understanding of the industry and supported by the MESA Mentoring Program, Gawreluk is on a mission to modernize one of the world’s oldest and most overlooked sectors.

From High School Hustle to Global Vision

For Nick Gawreluk, founder of Print Profit and MESA mentee, the printing industry has been more than a career—it’s been a lifelong calling. That journey began in the printing and graphic arts program at Roseville High School in St. Paul, where students weren’t just learning—they were running a business. By his senior year, the class had generated a staggering $250,000 in revenue, and Nick had discovered a deep passion for business, creativity, and entrepreneurship.

That early experience led him to pursue a degree in print media at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), followed by a global career spanning four continents and over 40 countries. Over time, he observed a persistent global challenge: printing companies of all sizes were operating with razor-thin margins, significant risk, and limited visibility into their profitability. That insight sparked the creation of Print Profit.

A Clearer Path to Profitability

Launched in 2024, Print Profit is a software platform designed to give owners of printing companies real-time clarity into their financial health—and actionable steps to improve it. The company isn’t just building dashboards; it’s creating a “business co-pilot” that helps owners of print businesses, from mom-and-pop shops to industry giants, move from defense to offense.

“Print Profit is like Google Maps for your printing business,” Nick explains. “You tell it how profitable you want to be, and the platform helps guide you there with daily insights and recommendations based on your live data.”

Whether it’s identifying customers who’ve dropped off, spotting upsell opportunities, or surfacing underperforming products, the goal is simple: make running a print business easier, smarter, and more profitable.

Serving the Full Spectrum of Printers

One of Print Profit’s unique strengths is its flexibility across the entire printing ecosystem. The software is designed to support all types of printed products—from T-shirts and ball caps to brochures, packaging, and signage—and works for businesses of any size.

From some of the largest printing companies in North America to solo operators running shops out of their garages, Print Profit is trusted across the industry. With customers in both the U.S. and Europe, they are steadily building a global footprint, one profit-focused print shop at a time.

Finding Mentorship That Makes a Difference

As Print Profit began to commercialize, Nick knew he needed guidance. “When I came across MESA, it almost seemed too good to be true,” he says. “Executive-level mentorship, at no cost, from someone who understands B2B SaaS startups? I knew it was exactly what I needed.”

In the fall of 2024, Nick was accepted into the MESA program and paired with mentor George Hadjiyanis, a seasoned software executive. At the time, Print Profit had just five customers. Less than a year later, it has quintupled its user base and significantly grown its recurring revenue.

“Nick and the Print Profit team have been fantastic to work with,” George Hadjiyanis, MESA Mentor shares. “Their growth shows they’re doing all the right things—building a strong solution, engaging the industry, and supporting their customers.”

George’s support has ranged from pricing and outbound sales planning to communication guidance, while also serving as a trusted sounding board and accountability partner. “It’s refreshing to have someone who understands the journey and can give clear, unbiased advice,” says Nick. “That safe space is invaluable.”

To other software founders in Minnesota, Nick is unequivocal: “MESA is the biggest hidden gem in our startup ecosystem. If you’re building a software company and you want mentorship, this is the resource you’ve been looking for.”

Big Ambitions, Strategic Growth

Looking ahead, Nick’s vision is bold: “I don’t want 50 customers. I want to help thousands. If I’m going to do this, I’m going to play big.”

That growth, he emphasizes, will be smart and strategic. Print Profit is bootstrapped, so each decision is intentional. Strategic partnerships, for example, could help accelerate adoption while adding value across the supply chain.

As Print Profit continues to grow, Nick remains focused on his mission to modernize a legacy, global industry—and improve the financial futures of the passionate people who run it.

“It’s not about playing small. It’s about going big and making a real impact.”