When the office-supply company for which Scott Rasmussen was working went out of business, it didn’t take long for him to step out on his own.

&uot;When they decided to shut their outfit down,&uot; he said. &uot;I made a quick decision to go into business for myself. I did some planning, and probably a month after that I opened up.&uot;

Rasmussen opened Scott’s Office Products in the second week of August. He says that he has done well so far.

&uot;Business is going well. I would say that I am running close to my original projections,&uot; he said. &uot;I think it has been an advantage for me with being local.&uot;

Growing up in Albert Lea, Rasmussen knows the community well. Working in the office-supply business has been another advantage. He said some of the customers from the business he had worked for have been customers at his new business.

Scott’s Office Products sells office supplies such as paper, pens, printer ink, small office machines, and &uot;anything you might find in an office.&uot; Rasmussen also said they sell office furniture such as desks, chairs and file cabinets.

Starting fresh with his own business, Rasmussen is doing everything himself: ordering, selling, accounting and even delivering. Through this, he says he is getting to know his customers well and is able to provide the best service he can.

Rasmussen prides himself on customer service. When he decided to open his business, he chose to have no walk-in retail so he could concentrate on building satisfaction through routine client calls, and stopping in on the businesses he serves weekly so they can order what they need.

While still in the beginning growing process, Rasmussen said he would like to expand through the next few years. He hopes that business will continue to grow while he gets experience.

&uot;I’m learning a lot and getting more experience,&uot; Rasmussen said. &uot; I’m keeping very busy and I hope to stay that way.&uot;